Record Reviews

MILES DAVIS ~ THAT`S WHAT HAPPENED 1982-1985: THE BOOTLEG SERIES VOL.7 COLUMBIA 194398638522 (Barcode: 194398638522) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1982 - 1985 Released: 2022 This is the 7th installment of the “Bootleg Series recordings by American trumpeter / composer / bandleader / visionary Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, released by ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records. It presents previously unreleased material by Davis, captured during the period following his return to recording and performing after a five years long hiatus (1975-1980). It follows the previous installment in the series, which was released in 2018 and offers 3 CDs of studio and live material. CD1 presents material recorded during the “Star PeopleFind albums with this title” sessions in late 1982 and early 1983, with saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, trombonist J.J. JohnsonFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike SternFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. Additionally, two tracks are from the “DecoyFind albums with this title” sessions from 1983, with guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drum programing by Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist and Cinelu. CD2 presents material recorded during the “You`re Under ArrestFind albums with this title” sessions between January 1984 and January 1985, with saxophonist Bob BergFind albums by this artist, Scofield or John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Irving (on keyboards), Jones, Foster or Vince Wilburn, Jr.Find albums by this artist on drums and percussionist Steve ThorntonFind albums by this artist. CD3 presents a live recording from July 7, 1983 captured at the Montreal Jazz Festival, with Scofield, Evans, Jones, Cinelu and Foster. The music is all by Davis, except for the interpretation of a Cindy LauperFind albums by this artist song, and illustrates the transition period between the decades of recording for Columbia, with the last three albums on that label, and the explosive career of the “new” Miles Davis following his signing with Warner Bros.Find albums on this label and the release of “TutuFind albums with this title”, and the last years of his life (1986-1991). Overall, as usual with any archival material by Miles Davis, the music is absolutely Godly, stressing again his unshaken position as the greatest Jazz musician of all time. Although the music does not reveal any surprising elements, it affirms his status, and for every Davis’ follower on this planet is absolutely essential.

Updated: 31/12/2024Posted: 26/10/2022

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS ~ THE COMPLETE ON THE CORNER SESSIONS COLUMBIA 06239 (Barcode: 886970623926) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 - 1975 Released: 2007 This is the 8th (and apparently the last) chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between March 1972 and May 1975 this the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia before his 5 years of retirement from recording due to health problems, before resuming his career in 1980. The inventory is pretty amazing: 4 years, 16 sessions, 21 musicians and over 6 hours of groundbreaking music, which although rarely given credit for it, changed to face of music for years to come. Incorporating Funk, Fusion, World Music, Rock, Soul and of course Jazz, this music re-defined the basic conceptions of the musical universe. Anything recorded later on this planed could be traced back to some extent to these sounds, be it Hip-Hop, Rock, Electronic and Ambient Music, House, and Dance, including of course contemporary Jazz and Fusion. The music is completely groove oriented, with very little (and often without) melody, with a loose and completely atmospheric jamming over a repetitive and hypnotic rhythms, created masterly by bassist Michael HendersonFind albums by this artist, continuing the direction initiated on The Cellar Door Sessions 1970Find albums with this title. Miles on trumpet, Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist, Carlos GarnettFind albums by this artist and Bennie MaupinFind albums by this artist on saxes, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist on keyboards, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Reggie LucasFind albums by this artist and Pete CoseyFind albums by this artist on guitars, Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist and Al FosterFind albums by this artist on drums and quite a few other players contribute to this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared in various edited forms on the albums: On The CornerFind albums with this title, Big FunFind albums with this title and Get Up With ItFind albums with this title, but most is heard here for the first time. It is almost impossible to describe how far out and pioneering this music is. It presents not only a completely new sound and approach to performing music, but also a new way to create music as a flow of the subconscious creative process. Over 30 years after it was recorded, it still sounds revolutionary and poignant, as it undoubtedly will continue to sound in the days to come. I can’t imagine anybody who calls himself a music lover not to own this music and listen to it periodically to recharge his or her emotional batteries. Beyond essential! A special note to collectors: The initial release of all the Miles Davis Box Sets in this reissue series is packaged in an exquisite metal-bound (except chapter 5 which is cardboard-bound) frame housed in a hard cardboard CD-sized slipcase (except for chapters 1 & 8 which have a metal slipcase). Once the initial release is sold out, the CDs are repackaged in a tall-box digipack book format. Naturally the tall-box issues have a much lower retail price tag. All the initial release CD-sized issues become priceless collectors’ items in time.

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS ~ WARSAW CONCERT 1983 IMMORTAL 104243 (Barcode: 8712177056620) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1983 Released: 2010 The importance of this music stretches far beyond the fact that this is music played by the great Miles DavisFind albums by this artist during the last decade of his life, when his playing was rejuvenated and full of creative powers again. This unique recording was captured during the Warsaw´s Jazz Jamboree festival, Easter Europe´s most important Jazz even for several decades during the Socialist regime. In fact Warsaw´s JJ was almost the only Jazz Festival where Eastern European Jazz enthusiast could hear Western Jazz musicians live. The fact that the JJ festival was able to bring Miles Davis over, during a renewed peak of his world popularity and against all odds (economic, political, etc.), is a miracle and the fascinating story behind the scenes is worthy of a movie script. I´ve been privileged to be a part of this story, but that is well beyond the scope of these notes. The music presents Miles accompanied by an ensemble of young and talented musicians, which consists of saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Robert Irving IIIFind albums by this artist, bassist Darryl JonesFind albums by this artist, drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mino CineluFind albums by this artist. They play the material that Miles preferred at the time, which is funky rhythmically, but quite complex harmonically. There is plenty of space for extended improvisations, with Miles playing more than he did in a long time, blowing the listeners away every time. In retrospect the music sounds as good today as it did at the time, which once again confirms Miles´ genius and prophetic vision of music. Since this is not a part of the Miles´ Columbia output, it is much more difficult to find. Great stuff!

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ELI DEGIBRI ~ LIVE AT LOUIS 649 ANZIC 3001 (Barcode: 896434001115) ~ ISRAEL ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2008 3rd album by Israeli (resident in US) saxophonist / composer Eli DegibriFind albums by this artist, one of several young Israeli Jazz players, who established themselves as part of the new vibrant generation of top international players. Degibri is a member of the Al FosterFind albums by this artist quartet / trio and for 3 years was a member of the Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist sextet, credentials that would make any aspiring Jazz musician proud. In parallel he also leads his own ensembles, which perform predominantly his own compositions. This album presents Degibri in an unusual trio setting with Hammond player Gary VersaceFind albums by this artist and drummer Obed CalvaireFind albums by this artist, playing live in a tiny NY Jazz club. The material is all, except for a couple of standards, composed by Degibri, and the trio is obviously having a great time performing. The soaring Hammond (one of my favorite instruments) and soulful saxophone create a somewhat "retro" atmosphere for this entire gig, which is truly delightful and reminiscent of the good old days, when music was played straight from the heart. The great thing about this album is that it can be enjoyed on many levels; it is great fun to listen to, but it also presents plenty of sophistication and insightful moments for a Jazz connoisseur, who listens below the surface and beyond the obvious. I can assure anybody that this album is absolutely worth your attention; Hammond lovers (which have a hard time these days to find new recordings) should jump on this like flies on honey!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

QUEST ~ REDEMPTION – QUEST LIVE IN EUROPE HATOLOGY 642 (Barcode: 752156064220) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 The meeting between saxophonist Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist and pianist Richie BeirachFind albums by this artist in early 1970s established not only an excellent musical cooperation, as documented by the albums they recorded together, but also a deep personal friendship. Later the pair joined forces with two Jazz giants, bassist George MrazFind albums by this artist and drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist, forming a quartet, which was named QuestFind albums by this artist, and which recorded the debut album under that name in 1981. When Mraz and Foster left the quartet to pursue other avenues, they were replaced by bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy HartFind albums by this artist and the quartet played on for a few years, but never recorded, eventually falling apart. But good fortune had it to reunite the quartet in 2005 for en European tour, with some gigs being recorded, as heard here. Considering the fact that these are all veteran monster musicians, I suppose it takes no effort to convince anybody that this music is exceptionally good from start to end. This is no nostalgic get together, but a serious blow out of contemporary Jazz by the best players around, so don´t think twice!

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Recommend To A Friend

MIKE STERN ~ ALL OVER THE PLACE HEADS UP 33186 ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2011 - 2012 Released: 2012 Some musicians simply can´t go wrong, and guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist is certainly one of them. Decades of superb performances, composing and recording albums produced an incredible volume of music, which is always first rate and stays fresh, vibrant and eternally uplifting. This, his 17th album as a leader, is another of those wonderful albums that are simply perfect in what they are. It includes eleven new Stern original compositions, performed by an incredible all star band and guest artists, which reads like the who´s who of American Jazz and Fusion. In time Stern managed to work out a formula, which works perfectly. His compositions combine great melodies with catchy licks and funky groove, but maintain incredibly high aesthetic standard and intelligent arrangements. The level of musicianship and stellar performances make the entire package irresistible. Stern´s Fusion is always an amalgam of the good old Blues roots with modern electric Funk and of course deep respect for the Jazz tradition. The list of the performers on this album is really very long, so here are just a few of the better known names: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Kenny GarrettFind albums by this artist and Bob MalachFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, bassists Anthony JacksonFind albums by this artist, Will LeeFind albums by this artist and Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, drummers Dave WecklFind albums by this artist and Al FosterFind albums by this artist and many others. His wife, guitarist Leni SternFind albums by this artist, also makes a rare guest appearance. Fusion enthusiasts and Stern fans alike need absolutely no encouragement to grab this gem immediately. If anybody on this planet is still unfamiliar with his music, perhaps now is the time to remedy the situation. This album smokes!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MIKE STERN ~ STANDARDS (AND OTHER SONGS) WOUNDED BIRD 2419 (Barcode: 664140241923) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1992 Released: 2007 6th album (5th on Atlantic) by American guitarist / composer Mike SternFind albums by this artist, who has been one of the most prominent figures in the Jazz and Fusion fields for the last three decades. His virtuoso performances and excellent writing are a source of musical joy and his consistently superb standards serve as a model, followed by generations of young guitarist around the world. On this album Stern tackles (for the first time) Jazz compositions by other composers (Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and others), adding three compositions of his own. Accompanied by a superb group of musicians, which includes trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, bassist Jay AndersonFind albums by this artist and drummer Al FosterFind albums by this artist, this session clearly shows Stern´s deep ties with Jazz and profound understanding of the Jazz tradition. This is classic Fusion and Stern´s guitar playing is simply overwhelmingly excellent, with great flow, emotion and technical virtuosity. A must for any Fusion enthusiast!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend