Record Reviews
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  | STEPHANE GRAPPELLI ~ YOUNG DJANGO
MPS 042281567223 (Barcode: 042281567223) ~ FRANCE ~ Gypsy Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1984
This is a reissue of an album by the legendary French violinist / composer Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist (aged 71 at the time of the recording, dedicated to the music of Jazz icon Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist. The album is completely acoustic and features two brilliant guitarists: Belgian Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist and American Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, and Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist. It presents nine tracks, seven of which were composed by Grappelli and Reinhardt between 1934 and 1939, and one each by Catherine and Coryell. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and includes his liner notes. The sound quality, clarity and warmth of this album are truly exceptional.
Grappelli and Reinhardt founded the Quintette du Hot Club de FranceFind albums by this artist in 1934, which is considered the first original European Jazz ensemble, which mixed many European musical traditions with Swing in a most unique way. That music can be heard here, in a somewhat updated form, performed by four outstanding virtuosi, and it still sounds absolutely stunning today. I have been privileged to meet all these musicians in person, but sadly only Catherine is still with us today.
Overall, this is a sublime piece of music, which pays tribute to the sources of European Jazz with respect and stunning virtuoso performances. Music just doesn’t get much better than this often. Lovers of so called Gypsy Jazz should find this album indispensable of course.
Side Note
The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet.
In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker.
Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace.
In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically.
Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.
| | Updated: 25/01/2025Posted: 20/01/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEPHANE GRAPPELLI / DIZ DISLEY TRIO ~ VIOLINSPIRATION
MPS 4029759097259 (Barcode: 4029759097259) ~ FRANCE ~ Gypsy Jazz
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of a little known album by legendary French violinist /composer Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist recorded with an excellent trio led by British (born in Canada) guitarist Diz DisleyFind albums by this artist, which also featured another British (born in Burma) guitarist Ike IsaacsFind albums by this artist and Swiss bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist. Disley managed to persuade Grappelli to return to public performance playing music in the style of the original Hot Club de France and this quartet (with some lineup changes) was later called Hot Club of London. On this album they perform thirteen tunes, one of which is an original composition by Grappelli, another one is an original composition by Isaacs and the rest are standards.
The album is a beautiful example of the Gypsy Jazz sub genre, and marks a rebirth of the tradition started by Grappelli and Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist in 1934, which can be considered as one of the first significant original European Jazz contributions to Jazz. Grappelli continued the revived tradition playing for years with Disley and then rejuvenating his group with the inclusion of the great British guitarist Martin TaylorFind albums by this artist.
This beautifully recorded album remains as one of the finest examples of Grappelli´s virtuosity and the Gypsy Jazz tradition. The performances by all the participants are stellar and the music is simply forever young. As such, this album is an absolute must to all Gypsy Jazz lovers anywhere on this planet.
Side Note
The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet.
In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker.
Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace.
In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically.
Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.
| | Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 08/07/2016 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ ELECTRIC CONNECTION / KING KONG
GOTT DISCS 014 ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
1969 & 1970 albums by the phenomenal French violin virtuoso Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. Ponty`s violin playing comes from a long and distinguished line of great jazz violinists, starting with Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. After several years of playing jazz with the top players in his native France, Ponty arrived in the US first in 1967 for the Monterey Jazz Festival workshop, where his incredible talent was spotted immediately. He was invited to the US to record a series of albums with the collaboration of the (then) young pianist George DukeFind albums by this artist and arranger / bandleader Gerald WilsonFind albums by this artist. Leter he was to meet and play with Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist. Ponty`s visionary use of the electric violin, which was one of the earliest and formative factors in the development of Jazz-Rock Fusion, is beautifully documented here. The first album finds Ponty in the familiar jazz environment, where he is accompanied by a Big Band, but the fresh approach and use of electric instuments is Fusion at birth. The second album however, arranged especially for Ponty by the Master Frank Zappa himself, is revolutionary in every sense. The compositions (5 by Zappa and 1 by Ponty), the arrangements and the brilliant performances are years ahead of their time and pure musical brilliance. Absolute masterpiece!
| | | CD 2 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ SUNDAY WALK
MPS 4029759171379 (Barcode: 4029759171379) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2021
This is a reissue / remaster on an early album by French violinist / composer Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with a European quartet, which also included German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, one each by Ponty, Dauner and Humair, one by American composer Denny Zeitlin and one standard. The recording was initiated by my Friend and Mentor, the producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who wrote the liner notes for the original album, which are respectfully included in this album’s artwork.
At this early stage of his career, Ponty was already recognized as a great talent and continuator of the French violin Jazz school, following in the footsteps of Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. But Ponty was not a mere keeper of the tradition, as his improvisation was close to John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and his musical path was about to include stints with Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and other pioneers of Jazz-Rock Fusion, who established the genre.
The three partners Ponty selected to accompany him on this album were also, despite their young age, already amongst Europe’s most seasoned and talented young musicians. The immediate perfect rapport between the quartet members is evident from the very onset of the music and lasts unbroken till the very last note.
The original material is certainly as good, and in fact better than any standard the quartet might have picked to perform together, and the talents of all three composers was about to flourish for years to come. Although Orsted Pederson died in 2005 and Dauner in 2020, Ponty and Humair continue their brilliant careers now, fifty-five years after this classic gem was recorded.
Overall, this is one of the greatest gems of early European modern Jazz and a classic album in every respect, which has but a few equals over time. The fact that it is finally available on CD should make countless fans of violin Jazz ecstatically happy. This is an absolute must in every serious Jazz record collection.
Side Note
The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet.
In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker.
Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace.
In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically.
Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.
| | Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 05/04/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | DJANGO REINHARDT ~ DJANGO REINHARDT ON VOGUE - COMPLETE EDITION (1934-1951)
SONY 887254446927 (Barcode: 887254446927) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1934 - 1951 Released: 2012
This superb Box Set contains all the music recorded by the legendary Belgian-born Romani (Gypsy) guitarist / composer Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist for the French VogueFind albums on this label label. Reinhardt lived near Paris since his early childhood and most of his musical activities were carried out in France and with French musicians. These recordings cover his entire career since the period he first discovered Jazz in the early 1930s and until his untimely death at the age of 43 in 1953.
Reinhardt is considered to be the Godfather of modern guitar, in Jazz as well as in Rock. His playing influenced countless guitarists all over the years and is still considered exemplary today. He is also considered as a pioneer, who made the guitar a central instrument in Jazz. His close ties with the Gypsy folklore and his ability to incorporate it into his playing gave birth to the Gypsy Jazz subgenre, which enjoys tremendous popularity to this very day. But perhaps most importantly he was the first original European Jazz musician of fame and influence, who preceded the birth of European Jazz by three decades.
Most of the music in this Box Set was recorded by the Quintette du Hot Club de FranceFind albums by this artist, which Reinhardt co-founded with French violinist and life-time collaborator Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. This revolutionary and pioneering all-strings Jazz quintet demonstrated a completely new approach to Jazz improvisation and thanks to Reinhardt´s and Grappelli´s virtuosity achieved a worldwide following and admiration. Immediately after WW II Reinhardt visited the USA and managed to record with the Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist Orchestra and other American bands; these recordings are also included herein.
The contents of this Box Set in undoubtedly some of the most iconic Jazz music ever recorded, which still universally reverberates in contemporary music regardless of genre. Reinhardt´s legend lives on, inspiring young musicians to pick up the instrument and create new sounds, which is exactly what Django would have wanted. Essential stuff for mental health!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 8 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | SINTI SWING QUINTET ~ BEI MIR BIST DU SCHON
EDEL CONTENT 4029759080558 (Barcode: 4029759080558) ~ GERMANY ~ Gypsy Jazz
Recorded: 1986 Released: 2012
This is a reissue (first time on CD) of the excellent album by the East German Gypsy Jazz ensemble Sinti Swing QuintetFind albums by this artist, which comprised of lead guitarists Fredi AnsinFind albums by this artist and Hans LauenbergerFind albums by this artist, rhythm guitarist Wilfried AnsinFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Alfred AnsinFind albums by this artist and violinist Bernd HuberFind albums by this artist. They perform fourteen Gypsy / Swing Jazz pieces, twelve of which are standards and two are originals by the band members.
The music is kept strictly in the Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist / Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist Hot Club de FranceFind albums by this artist tradition. These familiar tunes serve as vehicles for the band members to show their virtuosi skills and the album does not disappoint in that respect (or any other respect for that matter). As a matter of fact this is one of the best Gypsy Jazz album recorded after the Godfathers of the genre no longer performed.
The album is also excellently recorded and altogether is simply a joyful experience from start to finish. For Gypsy Jazz fans this is a great opportunity to discover a little known, but excellent album they should enjoy immensely.
Side Note: As all the East European countries under the Socialist regime, East Germany, or DDR as it was known at the time, had only one state owned and controlled Music Company, which released most of its productions on the AmigaFind albums on this label label. Among the many Amiga releases the legendary "orange J" series was dedicated to Jazz recordings, many of which were licenses from the West, but others were original productions, mostly of Jazz made in DDR. Some of these releases, like the one described above, were absolute gems.
Following the unification of Germany, the Amiga albums disappeared from the face of the earth and only in 2012 a German label reissued 15 Amiga Jazz albums on CD. They are all worth checking out!
| | Updated: 04/06/2016Posted: 04/06/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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