Record Reviews

PIERRE FAVRE ~ WINDOW STEPS ECM 1584 (Barcode: 731452934826) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is a wonderful album by Swiss Jazz drummer / composer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist recorded with an international team of Jazz stars: British (of Canadian origin) trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Italian saxophonist Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, American cellist David DarlingFind albums by this artist and bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions: four by Favre, one by Darling and two co-composed by members of the band. The music was superbly recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The music is beautifully melodic, contemplative and strangely Nordic in character, although no Scandinavian players are present. It borders on contemporary Chamber Music and includes some New Age accents, but is first and foremost elegantly European and completely artistically uncompromising. Both Darling and Swallow, who are American musicians, have played with European musicians throughout their extensive careers, and this influence can be felt here clearly. The instrumental performances are all stellar, as expected, and although most of the music in minimalist and subdued, there is enough space for formidable soloing, especially by Wheeler, who plays some outstanding notes on this album. Many Wheeler followers are not aware of his playing on this album and this is why I decided to add this review now, although the music was recorded two and a half decades earlier. But of course the rest of this splendid team also contributes generously and the album offers a continuous graceful musical joy ride, which used to characterize most of ECMFind albums on this label releases in the early days of the label´s activity. This album is wholeheartedly recommended to all European Jazz connoisseurs and absolute must to all lovers of Kenny Wheeler´s artistry.

Updated: 27/08/2020Posted: 27/08/2020

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ROBERTO OTTAVIANO ~ DARK SIDES DODICILUNE 589 (Barcode: 8059772565899) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is an album by Italian saxophonist / clarinetist / composer / bandleader Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with oud player Peppe FranaFind albums by this artist, electronics manipulator Luca RoccatagliatiFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. DJ RoccaFind albums by this artist), bassist Giorgio VendolaFind albums by this artist and drummer Ermanno BaronFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Ottaviano, one is co-composed by Frana and Roccatagliati, two are traditional tunes, one is an adaptation of a Classical piece and finally one is by British composer Jocelyn PookFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely gorgeous, mostly superbly melodic and deeply lyrical, with strong World Music accents, emphasized by the presence of the oud, which gets a prominent soloing space, but also influenced by the choice of the material and the prevailing ambience. The usage of electronics is very subtle and suits the music perfectly, and buy staying mostly as ornamentation adds a nice touch to the whole outcome. Ottaviano, who’s wonderful tone and sophisticated melancholy adorn many great Italian Jazz recordings, keeps constantly evolving and changing his musical expressionism, but his name on a cover of an album always guarantees quality and extraordinary depth of emotion, which of course is also true this time. Overall, this is another excellent recording by Ottaviano and his cohorts, especially for lovers of the Mediterranean Jazz-World Fusion and music spiced with the smell of Orient and its ancient beauty, a music which is a reflection of my home and roots. This is one insanely beautiful piece of music!

Updated: 22/03/2026Posted: 22/03/2026

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KEITH TIPPETT / JULIE TIPPETS / LUIS MOHOLO / CANTO GENERAL ~ VIVA LA BLACK LIVE AT RUVO OGUN 020 (Barcode: 5020675572201) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2007 This is an album, which documents a live performance captured at the Ruvo Festival in Italy, which features the British Jazz couple: pianist / composer / conductor Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and vocalist Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist, and the drummer Luis MoholoFind albums by this artist, who arrived in UK from South Africa, accompanied by the Italian Jazz Orchestra Canto General, which includes also a vocal sextet. The album presents twelve tracks, seven of which are composed by Keith Tippett, two including lyrics by Julie Tippetts, one is a traditional tune and the remaining four are by other South-African expatriates, who were an integral part of the British Jazz scene: Harry MillerFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist and Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist, sadly no longer with us. The music is absolutely fascinating in every respect and the magic of the live performance is perfectly captured by this magnificent recording. The Orchestra features some top Italian Jazz players, like saxophonist Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, who get a chance to solo throughout the proceedings, and Julie’s vocals are as captivating as always. The focal point of the album is a performance of Keith’s “Septober EnergyFind albums with this title” suite, which gets here a sublime reading by all the musicians involved. Although based on melodic themes, the music ventures into extensive improvisations by the instrumentalists, never actually losing any of the coherence, which Keith looks after as a conductor. The music offers some of the most intensive Jazz Orchestra moments ever captured on record, which lovers of that particular idiom should cherish. The album pays a great tribute both to the contribution by the South African Jazz musicians to the development of the modern British Jazz, as well as the sublime compositions by Keith Tippet, which sound absolutely divine in this orchestral form. Overall, this is a magnificent album, full of great music and wonderful performances, with extraordinary Orchestral Jazz rarely heard at such intensity. For Keith’s and Julie’s fans this is an absolute must of course, the same goes to all British Jazz lovers, but every true music lover on this planet should enjoy this beautiful album in full. Great thanks to Hazel MillerFind albums by this artist and her OgunFind albums on this label Records for releasing this music for everybody to enjoy!

Updated: 21/03/2023Posted: 21/03/2023

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