Record Reviews

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ HOUSE BOAT MPS 4029759097297 (Barcode: 4029759097297) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1978 Released: 2014 This is the eighth album on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label by German guitarists / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, one of the most important pioneering European Jazz musicians, who is also often considered as one of the Godfathers of European Jazz-Rock Fusion. It was recorded with a focus on the guitar / vibraphone interaction (Kriegel´s favorite setting) with vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist and drummer Evert FratermanFind albums by this artist, the last three members of Kriegel´s group at the time called Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Additional musicians include percussionist Elmer LouisFind albums by this artist and a few guests. They perform eight tunes, five of which are original compositions by Kriegel, one each is by Stroer and Bettermann and the remaining one is an arrangement of Rock song. The music and the performances are a beautiful example of the "more is less" approach, which is almost never employed in Fusion. Based on wonderful melodic themes and minimal arrangements, this music is all about elegance, subtlety and sophistication. The guitar / vibraphone exchanges are all pure delight, as are all other solo parts on this album. The overall atmosphere and feel of this music is distinctly European, in complete contrast to American Fusion albums, which are mostly all about fast licks and Funky rhythms. Here the mood is relaxed, brilliantly cool and reserved. Kriegel´s sympathy towards the vibraphone goes way back to his early days, as can be heard on the archival "Mainz 1963-1969Find albums with this title" album, which is quite understandable in view of the fact that the vibraphone was more popular in German Jazz than in any other European country with a long list of excellent (albeit much lesser known) vibraphone players. It is still very much true today. Kriegel was not only a virtuosic guitarist, but also a superb composer, as the tunes on this album attest. Listening to this music almost forty years after it was recorded simply states that this music is universal and timeless. It still sounds as beautiful as ever and perhaps even more so in times when hearing high-quality music is a rare event. It is highly recommended to all guitar fans, but also to fans of European Jazz and Fusion, when it was at its peak. Grab it if you can! 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: 01/02/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ JAZZFEST BERLIN `81 ART OF GROOVE 80187 (Barcode: 885513801876) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 2012 This is a wonderful album by the German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the annual Jazzfest Berlin festival (active continuously since 1964 and still doing very well today) with a dreamy quintet, which also included vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album consists of seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Kriegel, one is an original composition by Bettermann and one is en extensive solo by Weber, credited to him of course. Four of the Kriegel´s compositions originate from his album "JournalFind albums with this title", released just prior to this concert appearance and one originates from his "House BoatFind albums with this title" album from 1978. Sadly this is one of the last albums recorded by Kriegel, who died in 2003 (it was released posthumously in 2012). This album also includes a DVD filmed at the concert, which does not include any additional audio material not included on the CD. The quintet displays a very "typical" Kriegel attitude towards Jazz-Rock Fusion, personalizing the European approach, which is based on sophisticated compositions, delicate phrasing, space and freedom which allows for extensive improvisations and multi-layered interplay between the musicians involved. As a result these live versions of the tunes, which originate in studio recordings, are considerably more expressive and are by far longer in duration. There is no doubt that Kriegel was one of the "coolest" guitar players ever; his highly personal style sets him apart from most other guitarists, not only in Europe but worldwide. He played long, relaxed notes, letting them float on the air and settle down delicately straight onto the listener´s soul. There is none of the typical Jazz-Rock Fusion neck-breaking guitar playing a hundred notes per minute; Kriegel was a complete antidote of that approach. This album beautifully portrays the very special relationship Kriegel had with his musical partners. His duets with Schluter are absolutely stunning in their fragility and tenderness, but in fact all the contributions by the quintet members are nothing short of stellar. Weber´s bass is, as always, amazing with its melodious approach and harmonic choices and his solo piece captured here should be taught in music schools as an example of bass playing ingenuity. Bettermann plays a few incredible keyboard solos and Hubner switches skillfully between Free Form ornamentation and precision swing, both performed with equal virtuosity. This is a wonderful document of the European Jazz-Rock Fusion at its best and a superb tribute to Kriegel´s talents and his contribution to music. It is an absolute must for guitar lovers, but all Fusion and Jazz connoisseurs should have a field day with this extraordinary piece of musical history.

Updated: 04/04/2016Posted: 04/04/2016

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ SCHONE AUSSICHTEN MOOSICUS 1308 (Barcode: 885513130822) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1982 - 1983 Released: 2019 This is a reissue / remaster / expanded edition of an album by the iconic German Jazz / Fusion guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with the participation of the top German Jazz / Fusion musicians active at the time: saxophonist Frank LoefFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist, percussionist / drummer Ernst StroerFind albums by this artist and drummers Junior WeerasingheFind albums by this artist and Michael Di PasquaFind albums by this artist. The original album presents eight original compositions by Kriegel and Hans Peter Stroer and was released in 1983 on the MoodFind albums on this label Records label. This reissue is expanded by three tracks, which were recorded in 1982 as soundtrack for an experimental short film. The music is an excellent example of the advanced Fusion music that was created in Europe in the early 1980s, which incorporated complex rhythm changes and World Music influences, advancing the genre into new areas. Although featuring Kriegel’s brilliant guitar playing, it presents an ensemble sound rather than emphasizing the guitar as the leading instrument. Overall, this is wonderful European Fusion album, performed by top German Jazz musicians active in the 1980s, as well as an important addition to the recorded legacy by Kriegel, which is carefully curated by his archive, which hopefully will be released in its entirety in time. For guitar lovers and European Fusion enthusiasts this is an absolute must!

Updated: 06/05/2022Posted: 06/05/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MICHAEL NAURA ~ CALL MPS 4029759097365 (Barcode: 4029759097365) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2014 This is a wonderful album by German pianist / composer Michael NauraFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist. The album comprises of eight original compositions, all by Naura. This album finds Naura in a transition period between his earlier days as one of the German Jazz scene pioneers, when he played mainly Bebop and Hard Bop, moving boldly into the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom as one of its pioneering representatives in Europe. He plays electric piano on this album, which blends wonderfully with the vibraphone, creating a very unique ambience. Supported by a superb rhythm section of Weber and Nay the two soloists are able to weave long atmospheric melody lines and contemplative phrases. In retrospect this music sounds remarkably fresh and inviting and its legendary status is fully justified. The cooperation between Naura and Schluter, which started in the 1950s, continued for several decades and produced some of the finest German Jazz music in many different settings. Their later recordings for ECMFind albums on this label are especially noteworthy, some of them in my favorite Jazz & Poetry setting. Schluter is just one of many extraordinary vibraphonists hailing from Germany, where this instrument seems to be more popular in the Jazz idiom than in any other European country. It is the beautiful blend of four individual voices that creates the charming atmosphere, which in time made this album an icon of early European Fusion and the original vinyl album into a highly sought after collectors´ item. This reissue enables new listeners to get acquainted with this important and aesthetically outstanding music, an opportunity not to be missed! 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: 12/06/2018Posted: 02/02/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend