Record Reviews

AZYMUTH ~ DEMOS (1973-75) VOLUMES 1 & 2 FAR OUT 210 (Barcode: 827565062621) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2019 This is an archival album, which presents previously unreleased early recordings by the great Brazilian ensemble AzymuthFind albums by this artist, which precede their official eponymous debut album released in 1975. At that stage the ensemble was a quartet comprising of keyboardist Jose Roberto BertramiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jose Alexandre MalheirosFind albums by this artist, drummer Ivan ContiFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ariovaldo ContesiniFind albums by this artist. The album presents sixteen original compositions, mostly co-composed by Bertrami, Malheiros and Conti, and some by Bertrami. Azymuth played a wonderful amalgam of Jazz / Funk / Samba, which proved to be extremely successful in the 1980s, when they released their albums on the US label MilestoneFind albums on this label Records, which also signed other Brazilian Jazz artist, like the couple of Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist and Flora PurimFind albums by this artist. Despite the fact than their music was popular, they offered a highly aesthetic approach to their Art and never compromised their musical principles, which resulted in a series of truly excellent albums. They also released individual solo albums over time. Bertrami sadly departed in 2012. Although the music on this album is somewhat raw, recorded in a straightforward and simplistic studio conditions, it offers the true spirit of Azymuth’s music, which combines brilliant melodic compositions and Brazilian rhythmic magic, superbly performed by the group members. Bertrami was a sublime keyboardist and managed to squeeze absolutely everything possible form his keyboards, which considering the time-frame, sound absolutely magnificent. The “simplicity” and straightforwardness of the music on this CD is absolutely captivating and touches on the hidden nostalgic strings, which again and again remind us that “they don’t make music like this anymore”, which in this case is even more evident than usual. Overall, this is a marvelous album, full of brilliant music and superb performances, with an emphasis of early synthesizer and electric keyboards, which are omnipresent herein and provide a great glimpse of the music made in the early to mid-1970s, far from where “the things were happening” and yet every bit as exciting and even perhaps more exciting than most. This is a brilliant historic document of Brazilian / South American music and thanks to Far OutFind albums on this label Recordings, we have an opportunity to revisit this music again fifty years later.

Updated: 22/03/2023Posted: 22/03/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SONNY ROLLINS / HEIKKI SARMANTO ~ LIVE AT FINLANDIA HALL, HELSINKI 1972 SVART 609 (Barcode: 6430080233304) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2023 By mid-1971 the great American saxophonist / composer Sonny RollinsFind albums by this artist returned to public performances following his “second sabbatical”, and in the summer of 1972 he recorded his first new studio album in six years, starting the thirty years long stint with the legendary MilestoneFind albums on this label Records label, which resulted in twenty-two albums, and which earned him the title of “Saxophone Colossus”. Finnish pianist / composer Heikki SarmantoFind albums by this artist was the first Finn to be awarded a scholarship at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1968. His arrival in America was soon after followed by a hyperactive activity of performing on the local Boston scene, to be extended afterward also to the NY scene, where Sarmanto met, among many other American Jazz musicians, also with Sonny Rollins. When Rollins was invited to perform at the Finland Festival in the summer of 1972, he opted to play a concert with the Heikki Sarmanto trio, with Sarmanto on the Fender Rhodes electric piano, his brother Pekka SarmantoFind albums by this artist on bass and Esko RosnellFind albums by this artist on drums. The historic concert took place at the magnificent Finlandia Hall, an architectural marvel, which was completed only a few months earlier. The concert was recorded by the YLE (Finnish Broadcasting Company), and is presented herein for the first time fifty years after it was recorded. Sarmanto remembers: “When we talked about the concert at The Finlandia Hall, we both remembered that we had a full house with an enthusiastic audience. We also remembered that Sonny stayed at the classic Hotel Vaakuna and that he bought some 10 pairs of nice bell-bottoms from the Seppälä clothing store in Helsinki.” The music is everything one might have hoped for, with extensive improvisations and incredible soloing by the musicians. Two standards and one original by Rollins, which last between sixteen and twenty-four minutes, offer ample opportunity to illustrate both the quartet vibe and individual virtuosity. Rollins seems to be especially in high spirits and his powerful and expressive playing, full of sense of humor, is simply marvelous. He even manages to quote some hints of Jean SibeliusFind albums by this artist’ “Finlandia” tone poem as a tribute to the venue. Sarmanto’s electric piano offers a fresh aura and delicate melodious sensitivity, his brother’s bass playing swings and pulsates superbly and Rosnell’s drumming drives the music like a ship with sails full of wind and his solo, which ends the concert, leaves the audience ready for a standing ovation. American Jazz musicians often performed in Europe and some even relocated to Europe (including Finland) in view of the racist politics and lack of Artistic recognition they were exposed to back home at the time. In most cases American Jazz musicians would come over to Europe with their combos, and the fact that Rollins decided to play with the Finns speaks volumes about his respect for Sarmanto’s talent and personality, that continued for years to come. Sarmanto mentions that: “Later on, in the early 80s, Sonny´s and Heikki´s collaboration resulted in a major project. Sonny hired Heikki to arrange, orchestrate and conduct Sonny´s “Concerto For Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra”. This massive two-hour work was premiered in Tokyo in 1986 with Yomiuri Nippon Symphony OrchestraFind albums by this artist, conducted by Heikki, Sonny as soloist. The premier was a success, and after Tokyo, Sonny and Heikki took the concerto to Italy, where it was performed at Ravenna and Parma Festivals with Arturo Toscanini OrchestraFind albums by this artist, again with great success!” The fact that Finnish Jazz fans are able to hear this music now, so many years after it was recorded, is a true marvel and blessing. Thanks to the tireless effort by the SvartFind albums on this label Records label, we are constantly re-introduced to important pieces of Finnish Jazz legacy, which should not be forgotten. Side Note The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork. I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years. The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.

Updated: 13/09/2023Posted: 13/09/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend