Record Reviews

WOLFGANG DAUNER ~ CHANGES MOOD 33.613 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 1988 This is a reissue / remaster of a solo album by German Jazz keyboardist / composer / bandleader Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, all original compositions by Downer, which he performs using acoustic piano and other keyboards / synthesizers, which he combines using multi-tracking. The album portrays Dauner both as a unique instrumentalist and a great composer, which made him one of the most important contributors to the German Jazz scene from the mid-1960s and almost until his death in 2020. He was of course also a co-founder of the MoodFind albums on this label Records, which released this album and an important Jazz activist / organizer on the European scene. As this album shows, his sense of melody and ability to weave sublime themes was completely unique. Dauner’s music always encompassed cross-genre elements and he felt very comfortable playing Jazz, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Jazz-World Fusion and other idioms. His collective recorded legacy, both as a leader and sideman, includes some of the most valuable European Jazz accomplishments, including his work with the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and numerous others. Overall, this is a wonderful collection of music composed and performed by Dauner, which remains untouched by passing time. Side Note MoodFind albums on this label Records, established in 1977 and based in Germany, was a small independent record label founded by European Jazz musicians: German Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Dutch Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. The label was active between 1977 and 2006 and released 78 albums, first on vinyl and later on CD. In 2010 the label released 11 2CD albums with reissues of early vinyl albums. The label was the home label of the four founders, as well as the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Ian CarrFind albums by this artist’s NucleusFind albums by this artist and many other, mostly European musicians. The total output of the label is a superb document of the European Jazz scene between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. Some of these albums are absolutely essential.

Updated: 17/02/2025Posted: 17/02/2025

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KEITH JARRETT ~ CHANGES ECM 1276 (Barcode: 781182127623) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 Released: 1984 Brilliant album by the Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist trio with bassist Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist, recorded at the same session which resulted in the two "Standards" albums. This album, which includes Jarrett´s original compositions, is closer to the "usual" music performed by the trio, but the atmosphere prevailing at these sessions is firmly present within, which integrates this music with the two standards albums into a coherent musical entity. The performances by Peacock and DeJohnette are also stellar and complement the leader´s vision perfectly, setting a new standard as far as playing standards is concerned. In retrospect this is some of the most impressive Jazz ever recorded and an everlasting musical adventure. A must to any serious listener and an essential piece of Jazz history!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ CHANGES: THE COMPLETE 1970S ATLANTIC STUDIO RECORDINGS ATLANTIC 603497838363 (Barcode: 603497838363) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1978 Released: 2023 This 7CD Box Set combines all the studio recordings made by the great American Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist for the AtlanticFind albums on this label label during the last period of his life between 1973 and 1978. These recordings were released on seven albums, which appear here in their remastered versions: “Mingus MovesFind albums with this title”, “Changes OneFind albums with this title”, “Changes TwoFind albums with this title”, “Three Or Four Shades Of BluesFind albums with this title”, “Cumbia & Jazz FusionFind albums with this title”, “Me, Myself An EyeFind albums with this title” and finally “Something Like A BirdFind albums with this title”. All the music on these albums, with a few exceptions, was composed by Mingus. CD1 adds two outtakes and CD5 adds one outtake. The LP version of this Box Set adds an entire LP8 with seven outtakes. The list of participating musicians on these albums looks like the who’s who of the American Jazz scene at the time, with the most notable ones being saxophonists George AdamsFind albums by this artist, George ColemanFind albums by this artist and Ricky FordFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist, drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jack WalrathFind albums by this artist, guitarists Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, and many others. The above albums mark the second period of Mingus recordings for Atlantic. Between 1956 and 1961 he recorded several albums for the label, but he was not under exclusive contract with the label at the time. Those albums can be found in the great Box Set released in 1997, called “Passions Of A Man: The Complete Atlantic Recordings 1956-1961Find albums with this title”. Overall, this Box Sets presents some of the most important American Jazz recordings of all time, preserving the incredible legacy of one of its most important protagonists. Mingus was a great innovator and at the same time a key keeper of the flame, combining the American Jazz tradition with modern trends, unlike most of his contemporaries, who preferred to be stuck in the past. This last period of his life turned out to be also perhaps his most productive and daring, definitely the most mature and aesthetically balanced. All of the music in this Box Set is a Holy Grail of American Jazz, sadly also one of the last displays of its productivity and genius. For Jazz lovers, who don’t own all these albums separately, this Box Set is an absolute must, but those who already have all this material in their collections, it adds almost nothing new, except for neat packaging and remastered sound quality.

Updated: 11/01/2024Posted: 11/01/2024

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend