Record Reviews

ANDY MIDDLETON ~ BETWEEN WORLDS PROVA 14 (Barcode: 9008798037513) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2010 This is an album by American (resident in Austria) saxophonist / composer Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Tino DeradoFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Germany) bassist Paul ImmFind albums by this artist and American drummer Alan JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all of which are original compositions by the leader. The album’s title refers to Middleton’s move to Vienna and the period of transition between countries, people, cultures, etc. that all emigrants, and Artists in particular, go through in their lives, when making a leap, although as far as I know this was a move “in the right direction” for him, with Vienna becoming his new happy habitat. We are Friends since some years, and he always felt way more a European than an American to me, also on the musical plateau. The music is beautifully melodic, and the classic quartet setting is an ideal environment to express the lyricism of the compositions and allow the leader to improvise extensively, which he does with passion. All the members of the quartet are seasoned musicians, which is immediately apparent, and the music offers a marvelous flow, despite some complex time signatures and non-trivial harmonics. This is modern Jazz at its best and to me it sound way more European than what I can hear from across the pond. Overall, this is a wonderful album, in a classic Jazz quartet setting with excellent compositions and superb musicianship, so what else can one ask for? Well, perhaps it’s high time for some new recordings from you, my Friend!

Updated: 03/02/2025Posted: 03/02/2025

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDY MIDDLETON ~ NOMAD`S NOTEBOOK INTUITION 3264 (Barcode: 750447326422) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is the third album as a leader by American (resident in Vienna) saxophonist / composer Andy MiddletonFind albums by this artist recorded with a superb team of musicians including legendary American guitarist / pianist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, no less legendary British bassist Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and American (resident in US and Germany) drummer Alan JonesFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians play on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are original compositions by Middleton, one is his arrangement of two traditional melodies, and three are original compositions by Towner. The music is modern Jazz with some World Music influences, stunningly performed by these world-class musicians. The superb compositions by Middleton and Towner, full of deeply melodic and highly aesthetic contents, allow individual members to solo extensively and produce a harmonious ensemble sound all around. The Word Music influences create as ambience of mystique and the album offers a truly wonderful musical journey. For Towner and Holland followers, this album, probably unknown to most, is certainly worth seeking out, as it presents them both at their absolute best. Of course Middleton also plays wonderfully here and the album is still absolutely fresh, even though it was recorded over two decades ago. On a personal note; I met Andy in person a few years ago and we have had opportunity to meet regularly since during an annual event, which in time developed into a friendship. It took me a while to get hold of this album, which is not an easy task, but apparently not an impossible one – so get hold of a copy as long as it is possible!

Updated: 14/06/2021Posted: 14/06/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NICOLAS SIMION ~ CLASSIC MEETS JAZZ 7DREAMS ~ ROMANIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 This double CD album is a document of an ambitious, large scale musical project, which presents seven instrumental pieces for String Orchestra and Jazz ensemble, composed by seven contemporary European composers. The music, recorded live in the Romanian city of Brasov (Transylvania), is performed by the Chamber Strings Orchestra BrasovFind albums by this artist, conducted by Sabin PautzaFind albums by this artist, who also contributed one of the compositions, and a Jazz sextet led by saxophonist / composer Nicolas SimionFind albums by this artist, who contributed another composition. Three of the sextet´s members; pianist Antonis AnissegosFind albums by this artist, guitarist Norbert SchollyFind albums by this artist and bassist Chris DahlgrenFind albums by this artist also contributed one composition each. The remaining two sextet members are accordionist Fausto BeccalossiFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan JonesFind albums by this artist. This entire project was a brain-child of Simion and is just one of many different projects combining Jazz and Classical music he was involved with previously. The seven pieces range in length from just over ten minutes to twenty one minutes and are quite different from each other stylistically and tonally. They range from relatively melodic and conventional to quite complex and even Avant-Garde. However, they all have one thing in common, which is the attempt to expand the boundaries of both Classical music and Jazz by incorporating the legacies of both these genres into coherent and innovative forms of expression. Naturally some of these attempts work better than others, but overall the level of the musical substance is truly excellent and this music should be able to capture many followers, provided it can reach wider audiences. Although the Jazz ensemble is an integral part of the music presented here, the overall effect is more closely related to contemporary Classical music than Jazz and therefore will probably be more appealing to listeners who are familiar with Classical music lexis and environment. Of course open-minded Jazz connoisseurs will also be able to discover the gems and delights of this outstanding music. In this day and age, when Culture is gradually losing the battle against a new wave (and form) of barbarism and anti-culture, projects like this one are beacons of hope penetrating the deep dark slowly engulfing us all and should be treasured ever more. Therefore Simion deserves to be praised for pulling this one through and adding one more gem to our Culture. Definitely worth investigating!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend