Record Reviews

EDER ~ UND WAS IST MIT MIR? WHYPLAYJAZZ 006 (Barcode: 4050486062128) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012 This is the debut album by the young German quartet EderFind albums by this artist, which comprises of saxophonist Johannes MoritzFind albums by this artist, guitarist Felix FranzkeFind albums by this artist, bassist Hendrik KrauseFind albums by this artist and drummer Friedemann PrussFind albums by this artist. Two additional musicians also participate on selected tracks: DJ IllvibeFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Vincent von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist, son of the legendary pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist) and saxophonist Niklas KraftFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, four by Franzke, three by Krause, one by Moritz and one credited to the entire quartet with DJ Illvibe. The music of Eder is a strange mixture of Jazz improvisation, Rock rhythms, Hip Hop, ambient and many other less apparent elements. The overall atmosphere is rather dark and depressing, the sound muddy and muffled, in short this is more an alternative Rock album with some Jazz influences rather than a bona fide Jazz or even Jazz-Rock Fusion outing. Although the album has its moments and is definitely non-trivial, it lacks focus and sounds largely as a continuous searching, rather than getting somewhere. Of course there is nothing wrong with experimenting and searching, but in this case they are somewhat tedious and non-engaging. The individual performances by the group members are also unimpressive and fragmented, so there is little to draw the listener´s attention. Of course this is just my personal impression and other listeners might have a different opinion. This is after all a debut album, so the band deserves a chance to be heard again in the future, hopefully with a more solid material and focused statement.

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KASPER TOM / ALEXANDER VON SCHLIPPENBACH / RUDI MAHALL ~ ABSTRACT WINDOW WHYPLAYJAZZ 032 (Barcode: 4250459999325) ~ DENMARK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is the debut album by the trio consisting of Heavyweight Champions of the European Improvised Music scene: Danish drummer Kasper Tom ChristiansenFind albums by this artist and German pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Rudi MahallFind albums by this artist. They perform eleven relatively short improvised pieces credited to the three participating musicians. The trio is a wonderful example of the continuity of the European Improvised Music tradition, bringing together musicians from three generations: Kasper Tom (born 1981), von Schlippenbach (born 1938) and Mahall (born 1966). The age and experience differences are of course completely irrelevant as far as the music is concerned. The album also crowns the fast developing career of Kasper Tom, who with his consistently excellent contributions as performer and composer pawed his way from anonymity the international repute in this extremely competitive field in a relatively short period of time. The music also emphasizes the nature of European Improvised Music, against its parallel from across the pond. These relatively short pieces are concentrated expressions of Freedom, which is articulated by the unity of the trio and not by a race of musicians trying to blow each other off the stage. The music is of course everything people familiar with these musicians in particular, and the European Improvised scene in general, might expect: brilliant musicianship, wonderful respect and attention towards each other, minimalism and elegance, all these of the highest caliber. Improvised Music does not get better than this. The individual statements are also very interesting, being completely different from each other. Von Schlippenbach plays long beautiful arpeggios and harmonic chords, which constitute the basic layer upon the music is floating. Mahall carries the role of a story teller, spinning his short, dramatic tales consisting of long series of notes. Kasper Tom plays everything but a steady rhythm, but at the same time he still is the metronome of this music. His tribal approach turns the rhythmic patterns into a multicultural experience. Of course the performances present a series of wonderful solo, duo and trio improvisations, which spontaneously emerge in the process. Overall this is an instant classic, an album which other Improvised Music recordings will be measured against, not in the sense of competition but in the sense of setting an example others should learn from. Absolutely essential to all Improvised Music connoisseurs!

Updated: 03/06/2017Posted: 03/06/2017

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AKI TAKASE JAPANIC ~ THEMA PRIMA BMC 268 (Barcode: 5998309302688) ~ JAPAN ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2019 This is the debut album by Japanese (resident in Berlin) pianist / composer Aki TakaseFind albums by this artist and her ensemble JapanicFind albums by this artist, which includes German saxophonist Daniel ErdmannFind albums by this artist, turntablist / electronicist DJ IllvibeFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Vincent von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist son of Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist), bassist Johannes FinkFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Dag Magnus NarvesenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, seven by Takase, two by Erdmann and one by Narvesen. The music is brilliant modern Jazz, floating constantly between melody based passages and free improvised vistas, all superbly performed by these exceptional musicians. Takase is a highly experienced bandleader and Japanic manages to create a complete ensemble sound on this album, perfectly combining the individual voices of its members into a coherent ensemble unity. The devilishly complex rhythmic patterns and asymmetric harmonies sound remarkably “easy on the ear” and the music is accessible to a wide range of Jazz listeners, despite the seemingly Avant-Gardist exterior. The album offers rich textures and innovative usage of electronics, which often, although fashionable, does not work well within the modern Jazz idiom, but this seems to be the exception of the rule. Takase’s piano playing is as brilliant as always and the years that pass seem to make her more exhilarating than ever, which makes me always extremely happy. Overall, this is a first class piece of music, from start to finish, which offers a roller coaster ride into the depth of creativity and musical imagination. It is wonderful to see Takase vibrant and original as always, hopefully for many years to come. Don’t you dare to miss this one!

Updated: 02/04/2022Posted: 02/04/2022

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CECIL TAYLOR ~ FLY! FLY! FLY! FLY! FLY! PROMISING MUSIC 44117 (Barcode: 602537004287) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1980 Released: 2012 This is a reissue / remaster of a solo piano album by American Avant-Garde Jazz pianist / composer Cecil TaylorFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions by Taylor and it was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. The packaging includes the original liner notes by Berendt which brilliantly emphasize his extraordinary vision of Jazz music. Included also are Taylor insights on the music as well as reflections by German Avant-Garde Jazz pioneer Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist. The music is everything one might expect from Taylor, which is a completely unbounded freedom of Artistic imagination, combined with his own vision of Jazz and music and general. Despite the enormous complexity of the music it is subconsciously melodic, which of course removes the barriers often surrounding Improvised Music / Free Jazz. It is quite obvious that Taylor feels relaxed and fully appreciated in the elegant and respectful circumstances of the legendary MPSFind albums on this label studio in presence of Berendt and the studio owner / recording engineer Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist. It is no wonder that Taylor performed and recorded extensively in Europe, where his Art was wholeheartedly accepted and appreciated. Among his extensive, almost entirely live, discography this studio album stands out as one of the most coherent and concise pieces of music he ever recorded and is one of his most memorable performances. Overall, this is a precious document of the long-lasting career by one of the bravest and most influential Jazz Avant-Gardists, capturing him at a mid-point of his illustrious recording legacy. This album is an absolute must for the Improvised Music / Free Jazz enthusiasts, and considering the sound quality as well as the concentrated creative effort, it is a true gem of the genre! 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: 30/06/2023

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VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.33 POLSKIE RADIO 2182 (Barcode: 5907812241223) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2021 This is the thirty-third installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The tracks presented here were recorded live in October 1967 during the tenth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event. The first five tracks present the American multi-reed player Roland KirkFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which included pianist Ron BurtonFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Rahn BurtonFind albums by this artist), bassist Steve NovoselFind albums by this artist and drummer Jimmy HoppsFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs two original compositions by Kirk and three standards, all pretty standard American Bebop, which at the time was already considered somewhat passé in comparison to the work done by the great American Jazz innovators headed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, who died just a few months before these tracks were recorded. The next track presents the quintet led by great Polish pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist with saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist and Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Sergiusz Piotrowski). The quintet performs one lengthy version of an original composition by Trzaskowski, clearly showing that already at that time Polish Jazz was as good as anything originating across the pond and frankly the composition is light-years ahead of Bebop, somewhat on the thin line between composed and improvised music. The next two tracks present the German quintet led by trumpeter Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist with saxophonist Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist, pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist, bassist Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaki LiebezeitFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Liebezeit Jaki). The quintet performs two lengthy medleys, each of two compositions, all original by the members of the quintet. The music is a superb example of early European Free Jazz, which was exploding at the time across Europe, with Germany being one of the epicenters of the new direction. The music is absolutely sensational and sounds today as fresh as it was at the time of the recording, perfectly illustrating the notion that Free Jazz can make sense and be aesthetically viable. It also sadly proves that the genre did not move an inch ahead in the fifty-four years that passed since. The series, which was brought back to life after three years of absence, offers an upgraded packaging, which finally offers liner notes, albeit those could have been better, considering the importance of this music. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. Overall this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan should consider as a must.

Updated: 23/07/2021Posted: 23/07/2021

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