Record Reviews
15 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | GRAHAM BOND / PETE BROWN ~ TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
ESOTERIC 2042 (Barcode: 5013929714229) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2009
It was inevitable that the two British icons saxophonist / keyboardist / composer Graham BondFind albums by this artist and vocalist / trumpeter / lyricist Pete BrownFind albums by this artist would eventually find themselves in one band. After all they rubbed shoulders for over a decade before this album was recorded, both being members of a circle of musicians with many mutual friends like bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist (who co-wrote most of the CreamFind albums by this artist material with Brown, as well as all the material on his early solo albums and who was a member of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist (also members of the Organization) and several others. When they both found themselves out of job, getting together was the natural solution. The only album this band recorded is one of the wackiest – mind you in a most wonderful way – albums created at the time. Completely beyond any stylistic limitations Bond and Brown just seem to have a great time, playing and singing together accompanied by some superb instrumentalists. Expect the unexpected here, with Brown´s witty lyrics and Bond´s excellent keyboards work both on organ and acoustic piano. Sadly this album turned out to be Bond´s last studio recording before he perished in a terrible accident / alleged suicide two years later. With his death the British Jazz-Rock scene lost its original forefather. Definitely worth checking out and a must to all Bond and Brown fans.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAEL BRECKER ~ TWO BLOCKS FROM THE EDGE
IMPULSE! 260 (Barcode: 011105026024) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998
Excellent album by Brecker with his quartet, which includes musicians from the younger generation of US jazz players: Joey Calderazzo on piano, James Genus on bass and Jeff Watts on drums. Veteran percussionist Don Alias joins the quartet to add his ornaments. Brecker and Calderazzo split the compositions performed and the players seem to have a great time throughout the entire session. Brecker plays several excellent solos in the best post-Coltrane tradition and the piano solos are brilliant as well. With the material being exceptionally strong this album is considered by many Brecker’s fans to be his strongest solo release to date. This is one of those albums where nothing can go wrong and the listener’s satisfaction is guaranteed. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Digipak 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 |
  | ULF JOHANSSON WERRE ~ TWO HEARTS
FOR TUNE 0146 (Barcode: 5906395808618) ~ SWEDEN ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020
This is a live recording by a Jazz piano trio comprising of Swedish pianist / trombonist / vocalist Ulf Johansson WerreFind albums by this artist and Polish bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and drummer Wojciech LubczynskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are Jazz adaptations of Swedish and Polish Folk songs, all arranged by Werre.
The music is kept strictly within the mainstream Jazz idiom, sounding like something that might have been recorded in the 1950s. Striding, swinging piano and amicable accompaniment by the rhythm section create a very pleasant and easy Jazz atmosphere, which seems to be hanging to the glory of the Jazz tradition, but adds nothing contemporary to the proceedings.
The concept of arranging Folk songs and using them as a basis for the Jazz environment has been utilized with various degrees of success since many years. Some Polish Jazz albums managed to create sublime projects in this idiom, but this album sadly can´t be counted among them. It trivializes the Folk material rather than upgrading it within the cross-genre transition. The Folk roots and their aesthetics are completely lost here and there is nothing left except for occasional melody quote and a barrage of catchy boogie-woogie phrases.
Werre and his Polish cohorts are of course accomplished musicians and technically this music is without reproach of course, as is the excellent sound quality.
Overall, although this is hardly my cup of tea, this is still a very enjoyable easy Jazz album, which many listeners can enjoy, especially those who listen to Jazz looking for entertainment while drinking cocktails?
| | Updated: 17/08/2020Posted: 17/08/2020 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KANSAS ~ TWO FOR THE SHOW
EPIC 466842 ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock
6th album from 1978 and the first live album following a string of 5 immensly successful studio albums. Originally a double LP here on 1 CD (unfortunately less 1 track). It presents the group in full power mode, playing much extended versions of their album tunes, with much space for individual soloists to show off, as usual on live recordings. They prove anything they can do in the studion they can do better on stage.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ TWO CONCERTS
MOOSICUS 1312 (Barcode: 885513131225) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1979 - 1990 Released: 2019
This is an archival album presenting live recordings by iconic German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and his bands. The first CD presents a concert recorded in Lagos, Nigeria in 1979 by the Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which included keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist, drummer Evert FratermanFind albums by this artist and percussionist Hans BehrendtFind albums by this artist, expanded with two brass players: saxophonist Wolfgang EngstfeldFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Ulrich BeckerhoffFind albums by this artist. Several local musicians guest on two jam tracks. The band plays three original compositions by Kriegel, one by Stroer, one Brazilian tune and the a.m. two jams. The second CD presents a concert recorded in Bochum, Germany in 1990 by a quintet with Bettermann, saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Michael SchurmannFind albums by this artist and drummer Thomas AlkierFind albums by this artist. They perform four original compositions, two each by Kriegel and Bettermann.
Kriegel, who sadly departed way too prematurely in 2003, was one of the most original Jazz / Fusion guitarists on the world scale and one of the most important German Jazz musicians. His albums, most of which were released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label, are all absolute gems and reflect splendidly the development of the local scene. His ensembles always included top German musicians and his compositions were ideal vehicles for the musicians to play their hearts out. His completely unique guitar style remains as one of the unparalleled highlights of European Fusion.
This album is one of four releases (so far) of material from Kriegel’s personal archives by the MoosicusFind albums on this label label, which are great historical documents and all offer wonderful musical experiences.
Overall, this is a superb album, which offers some of the best European Fusion ever recorded and as such is a must in any serious Fusion collection. For guitar freaks this material is worth its weight in gold. Hopefully, it might bring some young music lovers to discover this true Master!
| | Updated: 08/04/2022Posted: 08/04/2022 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MOTT THE HOOPLE ~ TWO MILES FROM HEAVEN
ANGEL AIR 161 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
This compilation album was released first in 1980 and now appears on CD for the first time. The entire contents consists of previously unreleased material from 1969-1972 and is a joy for all the MTH fans around the world. This album completes the picture of a great band that unfortunately never reached the stardom status, which it deserved.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | OILING BOILING ~ TWO FACES
SVART 142 (Barcode: 6430065581222) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the second album by Finnish Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Matti OilingFind albums by this artist and his band Oiling BoilingFind albums by this artist, which on this album was a sextet and included also trumpeter Markku JohanssonFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Erik DannholmFind albums by this artist, guitarist Juha BjorninenFind albums by this artist, bassist Ilkka WillmanFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Tuomo TanskaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions (three by Tanska, two by Johansson and one co-composed by Oiling and the recording engineer Harold BurgonFind albums by this artist) and two are Jazz standards.
The music, as the title suggests, presents a mixture of Jazz and Fusion tunes, each genre given one side of the original LP, with the band being completely capable of handling both on equal footing. Great playing and soloing and excellent original composition make it a highly enjoyable listening experience, which lost nothing of its strength over time.
Oiling was one of the pioneers of modern Finnish Jazz and Fusion and a role model for many Finnish drummers, in both Rock and Jazz circles. He wrote the first tutorial book about drumming in the Finnish language in 1969 (expanded in 1975). He was also a pioneer of mixing Jazz with Funk and Rhythm And Blues and his many albums with the Oiling Boiling band reflected these influences, never compromising on musical quality. He was also a sweet person and I was lucky to meet him several times and kept in touch with him until his untimely passing in 2009.
Overall this is a wonderful piece of Finnish Jazz / Fusion history, well worth being remembered and still a great piece of quality enjoyable music. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 17/07/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SENDECKI & SPIEGEL ~ TWO IN THE MIRROR
SKIP 9143 ~ POLAND ~ Smooth Jazz
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019
This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Polish (resident in Hamburg) pianist / composer Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist and German drummer / composer Jurgen SpiegelFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, five composed by Spiegel, four composed by Sendecki, one co-composed by them both and one is an old composition co-composed by Sendecki and Polish Jazz guitarist Jaroslaw SmietanaFind albums by this artist, while they were both members of the celebrated Extra BallFind albums by this artist band.
The music is quite diverse, moving between romantic ballads and energetic explorations, all of which are only marginally related to Jazz, but have a strong Jazzy undercurrent. The piano / drums setting is by definition somewhat limited and in this specific case the attempt to present the drums on the same level with the piano creates a strange sonic balance that takes time to get used to.
Sendecki gets of course plenty of opportunity to display his virtuosic technique as much as his typically Polish melancholic streak, which works like a charm every time. Spiegel plays atypically, trying to stay with the melody more than traditionally be in charge of the rhythm, which is quite innovative. They are working together well, as appropriate for musicians of their statue, obviously having fun.
Overall since both these musicians don´t have to prove anything more as far as their careers are concerned, it is great to see them exploring new territory, which moves beyond the strict Jazz circle, creating music accessible to a wide audience without compromising artistic values.
| | Updated: 19/02/2022Posted: 17/05/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | SKIN ALLEY ~ TWO QUID DEAL
ESOTERIC 2244 (Barcode: 5013929734425) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2011
This is the 3rd album by the great British Jazz-Rock ensemble Skin AlleyFind albums by this artist, originally released on the TransatlanticFind albums on this label label after they left CBSFind albums on this label, which is considered to be their best and most consistent recording. The group members were all brilliant musicians and played several instruments each, which gives the music a wide scope and versatility. The music, composed mostly by guitarist Bob JamesFind albums by this artist and bassist Nick GrahamFind albums by this artist, is superb from start to finish. In short this is an excellent album in every respect and an absolute must to every fan of early Jazz-Rock / Prog on this planet. Unfortunately at the time of its release it gained very little attention and was quickly removed from the shelves, remaining a hidden gem for so many years. It’s great to see it back in circulation.
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | SPIRIT ~ TWO SIDES OF A RAINBOW: LIVE AT THE RAINBOW 1978
ESOTERIC 2704 (Barcode: 5013929480483) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2019
This is an archival / reissue album by the American Rock group SpiritFind albums by this artist recorded live at London´s Rainbow Theatre. After five year absence from the UK scene Spirit returned as a lean and mean power trio with Randy CaliforniaFind albums by this artist on vocals and guitar, Larry KnightFind albums by this artist on bass and Ed CassidyFind albums by this artist on drums. The Rainbow was intended as a location to record a live album and the concert was indeed recorded, but sadly it turned out that California´s guitar track was left unrecorded. This resulted in the need of the guitar to be re-recorded and overdubbed with the live tracks, producing no less than three somewhat different versions of the album being released: "LiveFind albums with this title" in UK, "Made In GermanyFind albums with this title" in Germany and "Live SpiritFind albums with this title" in the US.
Three decades later a board mix cassette was discovered, which captured the entire Rainbow show, including the six encores, and after some serious repair work the entire show and the remastered edition of "Live Spirit" were released as a 2CD album "Two Sides Of A RainbowFind albums with this title" in 2012, sadly making very little impact at the time. This reissue offers another careful remaster of the entire content and elegant packaging, as always with EsotericFind albums on this label Records, and is another attempt to bring this great music to the attention of Rock and Spirit fans.
The music includes mostly original material from the fabulous Spirit songbook, most written by California and two by Jay FergusonFind albums by this artist, but also a few covers of Bob DylanFind albums by this artist and other songs associated with Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist. The Spirit songs get a much more Hard Rock oriented treatment, in contrast to the finesse and complex vocal harmonies that characterize the studio versions of these songs. The focus of this album is obviously on California´s guitar pyrotechnics, in which he clearly pays tribute to the legacy of Hendrix.
By the time this music was recorded, Classic Rock was slowly disintegrating and this album is a wonderful document of the last great days of idiom, soon to be gone. Spirit was undoubtedly a manifestation of the finest aspects of American Rock, leaving a unique and completely idiosyncratic legacy, which deserves to be remembered. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 10/07/2020Posted: 10/07/2020 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STANIECKI / JACHNA ~ TWO SOULS
REQUIEM 194 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion
Recorded: 2020 Released: 2020
This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Polish guitarist / composer Maciej StanieckiFind albums by this artist and Jazz trumpeter / composer Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine pieces, not credited on the album’s artwork and assumed to be co-created by the two musicians.
The music is an amalgam of Electronic / Ambient layers of background sounds and trumpet improvisations floating on top of this background, creating a relaxed, almost lethargic atmosphere of contemplation and bordering on cinematic aural excursions.
As I have already stated repeatedly, there seems to be a distinct movement in Polish music lately, which offers a “protest” / counterbalance attitude, characterized by minimalistic / subdued musical forms, as a reaction to the incisive noise (musical or otherwise), that we are all drenched in and which completely blocks our contact with the world and other humans around us. This album is a “classic” representative of this new wave.
Although the layers of sound created by Staniecki are very creative and often inspiring, the focus of this album is naturally on the wonderful performances by Jachna, who perfected his sound and intrinsic lyricism over the years, bringing it to such unprecedented level, that today there are but just a few other trumpeters on the European scene with equal capabilities. Combined with his improvisational strength, Jachna is a poet of his instrument and every moment of his playing on this album is a pure aesthetic delight.
With well over twenty excellent albums recorded in the last decade, spanning a wide and diverse stylistic range between modern Jazz and Avant-Garde, Jachna steadily climbs to the position of top Polish Jazz trumpeter, and this album is a clear example of his genius.
This album, although fully immersed in Jazz, is likely to find its way to a large audience of listeners, who do not listen to Jazz on a regular basis. The music works like a balsam for every human soul, inspiring healing and inward escape away from our troubles. This is truly an outstanding offering of music, which deserves to be embraced by us all.
| | Updated: 27/02/2021Posted: 27/02/2021 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | TOE FAT ~ TWO
REPERTOIRE 4417 ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
2nd and last album from 1971 by this UK outfit which included two Uriah Heep members: Ken Hensley & Lee Kerslake. Great rock in the best of the British bands tradition with strong instrumental work. Bonus tracks.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | THOMAS TORSTRUP ~ TWO BROTHERS
NXN 2007 (Barcode: 7090052640128) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2021
This is the debut album as a leader by Norwegian pianist / composer Thomas TorstrupFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with trumpeter Simen Kiil HalvorsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Stian Andreas Egeland AndersenFind albums by this artist and drummer Ivar Myrset AsheimFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, seven by Torstrup and one by Andersen.
The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom, based on solid, melodic compositions, which serve as vehicles for improvisations by the quartet members. The classic Jazz quartet with trumpet up front is a refreshing reminder of many such ensembles in the good old Bebop and Hard Bop days, which is sadly less popular these days.
Much of the music is based on the intimate dialogue between the piano and the trumpet, which works marvelously even without any accompaniment by the rhythm section, but of course the quartet performances as equally enjoyable.
Torstrup is definitely a skilled and imaginative pianist, and his highly developed sense of melody allows him to develop fluid and coherent soloing all through the album. Halvorsen, who appears on several albums I had the pleasure to review earlier, has a beautiful clear sound and excellently uses the muted sound to emphasize the lyrical moments. The rhythm section is also very skilled and performs amicably, keeping the music on track.
Overall, this is an admirable debut effort showing a lot of potential, which will definitely come to fruition in the future work by these young representatives of the Norwegian Jazz scene, which in the last decade achieved a significant footstep on the European Jazz scene. Definitely well done!
| | Updated: 01/12/2021Posted: 01/12/2021 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
|
