Record Reviews

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY ~ POPPIN` IN PARIS: LIVE AT L`OLYMPIA 1972 ELEMENTAL MUSIC 5990449 (Barcode: 8435395504147) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by the great American saxophonist / composer / bandleader Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also included his brother, trumpeter Nat AdderleyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist, bassist Walter BookerFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, recorded during two sets on October 25, 1972, at the legendary L`Olympia concert hall, performed as part of the Paris Jazz Festival. Most of the music was composed by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, the former keyboardist of the quintet, one tune is by Duke, another one by Nat Adderley and one is a standard. The album features, as usual, an extended booklet with interviews, articles by Jazz journalists, superb historic photographs and other background information. The album presents the music Cannonball Adderley recorded with his last quintet, in the last four years of his life (1972 to 1975 - he died suddenly in August of 1975), which was documented on the albums released by the FantasyFind albums on this label label, with George Duke as the central figure of the quintet, who pushed the music into much more modern stylistic / post Bebop direction, adding elements of electric Funk and Groove. Duke was the most impressive instrumentalist in the quintet, which is plainly audible on this album as well. He gets most of the solo spots, which are all marvelous. Moving between the Adderley and Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist groups, Duke was simply one of the most vital American Jazz musicians in the 1970s. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the Cannonball Adderley recorded legacy. For the many of his followers it is of course a must, and although it does not reveal anything previously not captured on record, it is certainly a superb piece of Jazz history.

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted: 09/01/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ADDERLEY, NAT ~ GOOD COMPANY CHALLENGE 70009 ~ USA ~ Jazz The veteran trumpet player Nat AdderleyFind albums by this artist made this excellent recording in Netherlands in 1994 and it is one of his latest great sessions. Accompanied by fellow greats such as Walter BookerFind albums by this artist - bass and Jimmy CobbFind albums by this artist - drums, he plays flawlessly and seems amazingly vibrant and full of energy. The material is good as well with some new tunes and some old favorites.

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ROBIN KENYATTA ~ UNTIL WOUNDED BIRD 2005 (Barcode: 664140200524) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008 American saxophonist / flautist / composer Robin KenyattaFind albums by this artist first appeared on the Free Jazz scene in the mid-1960s playing as a sideman with such distinguished musicians as Bill DixonFind albums by this artist, Andrew HillFind albums by this artist and others. This album was his debut recording as a leader and was released on the VortexFind albums on this label label, the experimental outlet of AtlanticFind albums on this label. He is supported by a great cast of some of the best players at the time, including trombonist Roswell RuddFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Mike LawrenceFind albums by this artist, pianist Fred SimmonsFind albums by this artist, bassist Walter BookerFind albums by this artist, drummer Horace ArnoldFind albums by this artist and others. Three of the four tracks are his original compositions and the music is a great example of the late 1960s American Jazz, which combines the tradition with modern approach developed by innovators of the Free Jazz movement. The Kenyatta / Lawrence interplays are similar to some extent to the Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist / Don CherryFind albums by this artist exquisite cooperation. Arnold´s drumming is excellent and emphasizes his role as one of the best American drummers sadly little know outside a small circle of connoisseurs. It´s great to have this album back in circulation after so many years of oblivion as it is a classic of the genre and a valuable historic document. A must to Free Jazz buffs!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOE ZAWINUL ~ ZAWINUL ATLANTIC 81375 (Barcode: 075678137525) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 1994 This sadly overlooked and almost forgotten masterpiece by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist is one of the most pivotal recordings of the emerging Jazz-Rock Fusion movement. Following Zawinul’s stint with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist (with whom he recorded the timeless masterpiece In A Silent WayFind albums with this title), he was looking for a new environment to express his unique music vision, which combined his European classical music heritage and the American jazz tradition, spiced by the funky and rock rhythmic patterns. His vision was to be realized soon, when the greatest Fusion group of all times – Weather ReportFind albums by this artist – was formed just weeks after this album was recorded. In fact this album could (or rather should) be considered the first Weather Report album for several reasons: two soon to be Weather Report founding members – Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist (bass) and Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist (saxophone) take part in these sessions and the musical direction of the future group is basically all present here already. The main difference is that Zawinul decided to invite his ex-Davis partner Herbie Hancock to play along with him on this album, making it a double keyboards affair. The effect of two exceptional keyboards players soloing in tandem and in parallel creates a magic atmosphere, reminiscent of course of the Davis recordings. Other prominent musicians taking part in these sessions include the great Wood ShawFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Walter BookerFind albums by this artist on bass, Joe ChambersFind albums by this artist and Billy HartFind albums by this artist on drums, etc. All the performances are of course absolutely brilliant, with Vitous contributing some superb bow solos, which compliment the music perfectly. I have no idea why this album is not given its proper importance as a true classic, but in my book this is an absolutely essential piece of music.

Updated: 31/08/2021Posted:

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend