Record Reviews

JAROMIR HNILICKA / KAREL VELEBNY ~ TYNOM TANOM INDIES HAPPY TRAILS 733 (Barcode: 8595026673328) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2016 This is the sixth of a series of eight reissue / archival albums presenting the recorded legacy of one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble. All the music is beautifully remastered and the album comes with extensive liner notes, extremely well researched and full of discographical information, sadly only in Czech language (which works fine for me, but probably less so for other enthusiasts who also might be interested). Before taking part in the recording of this album, Velebny and SHQ released two albums out of Czechoslovakia: "NonetFind albums with this title" on SABAFind albums on this label (later MPSFind albums on this label) in West Germany and "Karel Velebny / SHQFind albums with this title" on the legendary ESPFind albums on this label label in USA (both recorded and released in 1968). Following the hiatus of the Prague Spring and the Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia in August of 1968, recording and releasing albums was suspended for a while. This album presents material captured during a two days recording session from April 1970. The eight tracks that were recorded during this session were released as a LP, credited to a tentet co-led by trumpeter / composer / arranger Jaromir HnilickaFind albums by this artist and Velebny. The material included Jazz interpretations of Czech, Moravian and Slovak folk songs, five arranged by Viklicky and three by Hnilicka. The tentet included Velebny, who played vibraphone and bass clarinet, and Hnilicka, who played trumpet, as well as saxophonist / flautist Zdenek NovakFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Josef AudesFind albums by this artist, trombonist Josef PavelkaFind albums by this artist, French horn player Emanuel HrdinaFind albums by this artist, pianist Ludek SvabenskyFind albums by this artist, guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, bassist Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist. Recording folklore material was the oldest trick in the book as far as Eastern European Jazz scene was concerned and served the Jazz community for many years to avoid censorship and receive permission to play and record Jazz music in the first place. This is perhaps the motivation behind this project, mixed with the Czechoslovak National pride hurt during the invasion; whatever the reason was this release marks the return of Velebny to "active duty" after a couple of years of silence. Although the music is somewhat less exciting on this album, the arrangements and performances are all first class, as appropriate by these highly professional musicians. The tentet has almost the power of a Big Band and the intricate arrangements skillfully use the rich instrumentation to transpose the folk material into the Jazz idiom. For fans of European Jazz and its history, the entire series is an absolute must, and the fact that most of this music is available on CD for the first time makes it an absolute treasure. Absolutely brilliant! My personal thanks to Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, the owner of Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label, for his friendship and the incredible job he is doing to keep this music alive! Side Note Since the 1950s Czechoslovakia had a highly developed Jazz scene, certainly in proportion to its population, which included many successful ensembles and even Big Bands, as well as Jazz clubs, festivals and publications, all this in spite of state censorship and political limitations. The similar situation existed since the 1960s as far as Rock (including Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion) was concerned, resulting in many excellent, interesting and innovative ensembles. The music was relatively well documented by the three state owned record labels: SupraphonFind albums on this label (founded in 1927), PantonFind albums on this label (founded in 1968) and OpusFind albums on this label (founded in 1971 and based in Bratislava, created on the base of Slovak division of Supraphon). Following the "Velvet Revolution" in 1989, the state owned record labels were privatized, with Supraphon dominating the local market. However, Supraphon was quite reluctant as far as exploring its vast back catalogue is concerned, and this is where the small independent Indies Happy TrailsFind albums on this label Records, a reissue label dedicated to the preservation of the recorded legacy of Czechoslovak music, owned and run by the devoted enthusiast / historian Jaromir KratochvilFind albums by this artist, founded in 2007, comes in. Over the years the label released a plethora of brilliant music, reissuing long deleted LPs and extensively exploring the archives in search of bonus material. The quest of Indies Happy Trails is similar to what the GADFind albums on this label Records label, run by Michal WilczynskiFind albums by this artist, is doing for Polish music, with similar consistency and praiseworthy dedication.

Updated: 27/02/2020Posted: 27/02/2020

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ROLAND KOVAC ~ TRIP TO THE MARS MPS 4029759097419 (Barcode: 4029759097419) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by Austrian keyboardist / composer / arranger / bandleader Roland KovacFind albums by this artist, one of the early pioneers of European Jazz and a most prolific composer of Jazz pieces but also of cinematic soundtracks and even advertising spots. This album was recorded in Munich, Germany where Kovac worked for many years producing his masterpieces, and originally released on the SABAFind albums on this label label. The orchestra, which recorded this album, never performed live and existed only within the recording studio. It included many European and American musicians, who lived at the time in Munich, like Belgian pianist Francis CoppietersFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist, trombonist Cliff HardyFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Derek HumbleFind albums by this artist and many others. The music consists of seventeen short Big Band pieces, all composed and arranged by Kovac, which are all pearls of Big Band writing, arranging and performances – simply brilliant. Somewhat similar to the work of Henry ManciniFind albums by this artist, but more daring and experimental, Kovac´s pieces are completely unique and fascinating, with very little competition from any other Big Band / Orchestra leader then and since. The space exploration, which was very popular at the time this album was recorded, inspired its title and the titles of the separate pieces, like it did numerous other albums at the time. People familiar with the early James Bond instrumental movie scores will find this music sounding very similar. Although melodic and seemingly easy on the ear, this music is extremely sophisticated and astonishing in its minute details and tricks of the trade. Kovac remains as one of the best European Jazz composers and his music refuses to get outdated. This forgotten little gem is definitely worth being discovered! 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: 28/05/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

EUGEN CICERO ~ ROKOKO-JAZZ MPS 4029759152477 (Barcode: 4029759152477) ~ ROMANIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1965 Released: 2020 This is the reissue / remaster of the debut album by Romanian pianist / composer Eugene CiceroFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with German bassist Peter WitteFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Charly AntoliniFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, one of which is an original composition by Cicero and five are interpretations of Classical Music pieces by various composers. The original liner notes of this album, written by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, are reproduced in the album’s packaging. Cicero escaped Romania in 1962 via Berlin, settling first in Germany and later in Switzerland. He had a long career playing Jazz / Swing interpretations of Classical Music pieces and recorded dozens of very successful albums in that idiom. This album, which earned him immediate recognition, was one of the earliest album recorded by the SABAFind albums on this label (later MPSFind albums on this label) label and offers a spectacular sound quality. Although he operated in the same idiom like Jacques LoussierFind albums by this artist, Claude BollingFind albums by this artist and others, his brilliant technique and intelligent cross-manipulation of the genres, as well as a superb Swing, made him very unique and he managed to avoid the kitsch many of such artists often dived deeply into. Overall, this is a lovely cross-genre outing, which is witty and elegant, and a pure joy to listen to, and definitely a must for all Jazz-Classical Fusion lovers. It is delightful to have this gem back in circulation. Wholeheartedly recommended! 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: 29/12/2023Posted: 29/12/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

NATHAN DAVIS ~ THE HIP WALK MPS 4029759181163 (Barcode: 4029759181163) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2023 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by American saxophonist / flautist / composer Nathan DavisFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Carmell JonesFind albums by this artist, Belgian pianist Francy BolandFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and was the second Davis’ recording for the SABAFind albums on this label Records, the precursor of the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records label. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are originals by Davis and two are standards. Davis, Jones, Woode and Clarke were among the many American expatriates living in Europe at the time of the recording, escaping their home ridden by racism and social unrest and finding recognition, fame and admiration in Europe, often with extensive help from Berendt, who tried to offer them recording opportunities as much as he could. This reissue features the original liner notes Berendt wrote for the album, which are a brilliant example of his work, from which I learned so much. Davis never achieved a wide recognition in the US, although he definitely was a superb player and composer. Most of his early recordings were done in Europe and upon his return to the US he concentrated on teaching. The music is all mainstream Bebop oriented Jazz, with excellent performances by all the participants and offers a wonderful recording quality, for which the legendary SABA studios was world-famous, now even improved with the excellent remaster. Overall, this is a superb snapshot of American Jazz in Europe, captured for posterity by the SABA / MPS enterprise, with Joachim Berendt at the helm. The music still sounds as fresh and vivid as it was almost sixty years ago, making it everlasting. 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: 29/12/2023Posted: 24/10/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ TWO ORIGINALS (ALL BLUES / SAX NO END) MPS 731452352521 (Barcode: 731452352521) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of two albums: “All BluesFind albums with this title” and “Sax No EndFind albums with this title” recorded by the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. “All Blues” was originally recorded in UK in 1968 and released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label in 1969. It was the 2nd album by the Big Band on MPS. “Sax No End” was originally recorded in Germany in 1967 and released on the legendary SABAFind albums on this label (later MPS) label in 1967. It was the 1st album by the Big Band on MPS. This reissue also adds as a bonus one tracks from the “Fellini 712Find albums with this title” album by the Big Band with a corrected mix. The album presents altogether fifteen tracks with both original albums and the bonus, which are mostly original compositions by Boland, including the three-part “All Jazz” suite, all also brilliantly arranged by Boland. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist and Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPS label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail! 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: 16/03/2025Posted: 16/03/2025

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

KAREL VELEBNY ~ NONET SHQ & WOODWINDS MPS (JAPAN) 4988005415530 (Barcode: 4988005415530) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by one of the Godfathers of Czechoslovak modern Jazz, vibraphonist / pianist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Karel VelebnyFind albums by this artist and his SHQFind albums by this artist ensemble, which included also flautist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, pianist Ludek SvabenskyFind albums by this artist, bassist Karel VejvodaFind albums by this artist and drummer Josef VejvodaFind albums by this artist, and which was expanded to a nonet by the addition of a woodwind quartet, which included oboist Vlastimil KalaFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist Miroslav KryslFind albums by this artist, French horn player Milos PetrFind albums by this artist and bassoonist Pavel ZednikFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, two each by Karel Vejvoda, Josef Vejvoda and Velebny and one each by Stivin and Svabensky. The album was released originally on the legendary SABAFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded in February of 1968, just a few months before the brutal invasion of Czechoslovakia by the armies of the Warsaw Pact, which was one of the most pivotal events of post WWII Eastern European history. Velebny was one of several Jazz musicians from behind the Iron Curtain, who got an opportunity to record for the SABA / MPSFind albums on this label labels, creating the first steps to the Pan-European Jazz scene, which exploded after the fall of the Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe. The music is absolutely stunning example of highly advanced modern Jazz, which amalgamated Third Stream motives, sophisticated arrangements and complex multi-theme compositions, which always characterized Czechoslovak Jazz. It remains as one of the finest achievements in Velebny’s brilliant career and his splendid recorded legacy, although sadly the album is almost completely unknown and extremely difficult to find, with only one Japanese CD reissue. Overall, this is an absolute gem of an album in every respect, including the brilliant sound quality of the remaster. For fans of early East European Jazz this is a must in every respect! It took me ages to find a copy, so I am a happy music lover now! 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: 07/12/2024Posted: 07/12/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend