Record Reviews

RON CARTER ~ UPTOWN CONVERSATION WOUNDED BIRD 6521 (Barcode: 664140652125) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2007 This is a long overdue reissue of the legendary album recorded by bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist following the demise of the Miles DavisFind albums by this artist second quintet. Supported by a great cast of musicians, which includes flautist Hubert LawsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Sam BrownFind albums by this artist, pianist Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist and drummers Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist and Grady TateFind albums by this artist, Carter presents a set of his original compositions. The music is adventurous and atmospheric, but at the same time melodic and well structured, with plenty of space for soloing. Carter´s bass playing is of course beyond reproach, his virtuosity clearly evident. The album was initially released on the tiny EmbryoFind albums on this label label, which was AtlanticFind albums with this title´s "experimental" imprint and was a sought after collectors´ item for many years. It´s great to see this great piece of music available again. Not to be missed, especially by bass enthusiasts!

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KEITH JARRETT ~ EXPECTATIONS COLUMBIA 65900 (Barcode: 5099706590026) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2000 This early masterpiece by Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist showcases for the first time his extremely wide musical horizons, stretching from blues, gospel, jazz, improvised music and conteporary piano to orchestral music. This ambitious project finds the pianist / composer in the familiar quartet setting (with Dewey RedmanFind albums by this artist, Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist and Paul MotianFind albums by this artist) enforced by additional jazz players (Sam BrownFind albums by this artist, Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist) and large brass and string ensembles. The music moves between melodic pieces and Avant-Garde atonal compositions, quite a challenging listen. In retrospect this music retains the edge of surprise and electrifying spirit. Highly recommended!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

HERBIE MANN ~ GAGAKU & BEYOND / ASTRAL ISLAND COLLECTABLES 6881 (Barcode: 090431688120) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1976 - 1983 Released: 2001 This is a reissue / remaster of two albums by Jewish American flautist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Herbie MannFind albums by this artist. “Gagaku & BeyondFind albums with this title”, from 1976, was recorded with keyboardist Pat RebillotFind albums by this artist, guitarist Sam BrownFind albums by this artist, bassist Tony LevinFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and a large group of Japanese musicians who play traditional Japanese instruments and monks who add vocals, led by shakuhachi player Minoru MuraokaFind albums by this artist. The album presents five lengthy tracks, three of which are arrangements of traditional Japanese melodies, one is an original composition by Mann and another one is by Rebillot. The music is an ambitious attempt to amalgamate traditional Japanese music with Jazz, which works out quite successfully, and presents Mann as an experimenting musician, far beyond his sleek image of a Smooth Jazz and Groove Jazz Fusion. “Astral IslandFind albums with this title”, from 1983, was recorded with guitarist Lou VolpeFind albums by this artist, bassist Frank GravisFind albums by this artist, drummer Buddy WilliamsFind albums by this artist and a couple of guest musicians on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, two composed by Mann, two by Volpe, one by Israeli composer Shlomo GronichFind albums by this artist and the rest by various composers. The music is also deeply soaked in World Music influences, including Middle Eastern and African pulsations, but is less intense and complex than the other album in this reissue set. Overall, this is an excellent opportunity to remember the important contribution of Mann to American Jazz and Jazz-World Fusion, who left a very impressive and extensive recorded legacy. He died in 2003 and is sadly missed.

Updated: 29/07/2026Posted: 29/07/2026

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

PAUL MOTIAN ~ PAUL MOTIAN ECM 2260/65 (Barcode: 602537223466) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 - 1984 Released: 2013 This superb Box Set contains the first six albums by the legendary American drummer / composer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist, released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, which are: "Conception VesselFind albums with this title" (ECM 1028) recorded 1972, "TributeFind albums with this title" (ECM 1048) recorded 1974, "DanceFind albums with this title" (ECM 1108) recorded 1977, "Le VoyageFind albums with this title" (ECM 1138) recorded 1979, "PsalmFind albums with this title" (ECM 1222) recorded 1981 and finally "It Should`ve Happened A Long Time AgoFind albums with this title" (ECM 1283) recorded 1984. Except for just two cases all the music is composed by Motian and performed by various ensembles: three are by a trio, two by quintet and one by sextet. The musicians include pianist Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist, guitarists Sam BrownFind albums by this artist and Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Carlos WardFind albums by this artist, Charles BrackeenFind albums by this artist and Joe LovanoFind albums by this artist, bassists Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, David IzenzonFind albums by this artist, Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Ed SchullerFind albums by this artist and several others These albums are all superb examples of Motian´s talent as a composer, who is able to weave beautifully melodic tunes, which nevertheless are open enough to serve as vehicles for extensive improvisations. Except for the first album in this Box Set all other ensembles led by Motian are pianoless and relay mostly on guitar as the harmonic instrument, expressing Motian´s deep affection for this instrument. Of course Motian´s most important contribution to the Jazz idiom was his revolutionary approach to drumming, which in his case almost completely transformed the instrument´s role form time keeping tool to an instrument performing alongside the other instruments in the ensemble. Motian´s intimate and complex music may be somewhat difficult for a mainstream Jazz fan, but it truly deserves an open-minded effort to be penetrated and then enjoyed in full. This music is after all an important chapter in American Jazz, which is ambitious and highly aesthetic, and which manages to break from the stale traditionalism into new vistas. Side Note: These albums are not available on CD individually, so this is the only way to obtain them in CD form.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Digisleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend