Record Reviews

MANFRED MANN ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM SERIES PARLOPHONE 825646285297 (Barcode: 825646285297) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2014 This Box Set collects the four UK albums recorded by the first version of the British Pop group Manfred MannFind albums by this artist, released originally on the HMVFind albums on this label label, and the first solo album by their vocalist Paul JonesFind albums by this artist, and includes material recorded between 1963 and 1966, a period spanning just over three years. The original members of the group were: keyboardist / vibraphonist Manfred Mann, drummer Mike HuggFind albums by this artist, guitarist / saxophonist / flautist Mike VickersFind albums by this artist (all of them coming from a Jazz background), bassist Dave RichmondFind albums by this artist, soon to be replaced by Tom McGuinnessFind albums by this artist and vocalist / harmonica player Paul Jones. By autumn 1965 Vickers left, McGuinness moved to guitar and the band was joined by Jack BruceFind albums by this artist on bass, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpet and Lyn DobsonFind albums by this artist on saxophone, all three being prominent members of the new generation of British Jazz players. Listening to these four albums (the Jones´ album is of secondary importance) clearly illustrates not only their many qualities but also their rapid progress from early American influenced Rhythm And Blues and Rock And Roll to their own individual style, which embraced sophisticated chord changes, complex rhythms, a tendency towards Jazz improvisation and a love of instrumental compositions, combined with exquisite sense of melody. In order to fully appreciate the group´s incredible journey it is recommended to get a copy of the incredible Manfred Mann anthology "Down The Road Apiece: Their EMI Recordings 1963-1966Find albums with this title", which includes absolutely everything they recorded during those early years. Of course also the second part of their output, released on the FontanaFind albums on this label label, which finds the band fronted by their second vocalist Mike d`AboFind albums by this artist, is equally fascinating and worth investigating. As I have been saying for decades, it is painfully obvious, especially now in retrospect that Manfred Mann were one of several British groups infinitely better musically than The BeatlesFind albums by this artist; a statement I have been bitterly criticized for, but which I am ready to repeat any time. This music simply proves my point to anybody who is willing to listen with an open mind. Wholeheartedly recommended! Side Note The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty. The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DUKE ELLINGTON / BENNY GOODMAN ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.17 POLSKIE RADIO 1667 (Barcode: 5907812246679) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1934 - 1949 Released: 2014 This is the seventeenth installment in the new series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. This album presents music recorded by the Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist Orchestra and several different ensembles and orchestra led by Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, recorded in the 1930s and 1940s and released on various labels (HMVFind albums on this label, ColumbiaFind albums on this label, CapitolFind albums on this label and RCAFind albums on this label) on 78 RPM shellac discs, which are part of the Polish Radio archives. The music was remastered from these original discs by Anna RutkowskaFind albums by this artist. I must admit that I find this release quite surprising and consider its place in this series as purely accidental, as none of these recordings present music recorded in Poland by the Polish Radio nor does it feature any Polish Jazz musicians, and as such defies the purpose of the so far excellent effort to make this series special. The fact that these shellacs are part of the Polish Radio archive is definitely not a good enough reason for being included in this series. And additionally of course all this material is already available in the US and in Europe, after being remastered by the labels which released this music originally, in my higher quality, often in lavish Box Sets with extensive historical notes, etc. In short this effort is nothing short of bizarre and a sad waste of resources, especially in view of the fact that many other superb recordings in the Polish Radio vaults are still waiting to be released. One can only hope that future releases of this series will return to the already established pattern, which served its purpose splendidly.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend