Record Reviews
34 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | FALLEN ANGELS ~ FALLEN ANGELS
MAGNETIC MUSIC 101 ~ IRELAND ~ Irish, Scottish & Celtic
Fallen Angels are a vocal quintet of Irish female singers. This album is an "a capella" project and the ensemble performs an amazing set of traditional Irish songs arranged esspecially for a capella performance. Fans of the human voice will have a feast with this one.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANGELA GABER ~ DOBRE DUCHY
AURA ART 05 ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015
This is the second album by Polish World Music / Folk vocalist Angela GaberFind albums by this artist, recorded with a trio comprising of multi-instrumentalist Ernest DrelichFind albums by this artist, acoustic guitarist Tomasz DybalaFind albums by this artist and electric guitarist Robert Robson OnackoFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Wojciech LubertowiczFind albums by this artist, who also guests on a couple of tracks as a musician. Together the ensemble performs twelve original songs, all composed by the ensemble members with lyrics written by Gaber.
Although this album preserves the Ethnic / World Music idiom of Gaber´s debut album, it is immediately apparent that it is a much more advanced and aesthetically superior product in many ways. Firstly the music is all original, which of course adds a complete new aspect and depth to it. Secondly the instrumental work on this album is much more complex and diverse, using a range of different instruments and constantly changing the atmosphere, the dynamics and the color of the sound.
The music amalgamates many ethnic influences, travelling between the Eastern European melancholy and the Mediterranean, Caucasian and even Balinese rhythmic patterns and seductive movement of melody lines. The elegant balance between the folkloristic basic instrumentation and the electric guitar riffs on top is very effective and places the music right here and now rather than sounding a bit dated, as many World Music efforts unfortunately end up sounding.
Of course Gaber is the focus of this album, from start to finish. Her warm voice, which she uses wisely and skillfully, is the centerpiece of this music, both when she sings lyrics and improvised vocalese. As the author of the texts, she delivers them with a heartfelt emotion and superb, highly poignant expressiveness. However, in spite of the fact that she is the leader of the ensemble, she gives the other members of the ensemble all the respect and attention necessary to create music together. This album works out as well as it does as a result of this beautiful mutual respect and teamwork.
It is truly heartwarming to see (and hear) an artist taking such a leap forward in their career, like in the case of this album. This album was again financed by a crowdfunding campaign on "Polak Potrafi", which proves that determination pays off and thanks to some intelligent people (whom Gaber calls Good Souls, as in the album´s title in Polish language), who recognize the potentially great music even before it is actually completed.
It is really sad to see that only very few vocal albums released on the Polish music scene are worthy of being listened to, regardless of the genre. It is not enough to have a good voice; it takes a huge heart, a deep soul and a hefty brain to make things happen. Luckily at least some vocalists in Poland have these qualities and Gaber is definitely one of them. This is a beautiful, moving, highly aesthetic music, which rewards the listener every time anew. Chapeau!
| | Updated: 04/01/2016Posted: 04/01/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANGELA GABER ~ OPOWIESCI Z ZIEMI
AURA ART 03 ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013
This is the debut album by Polish World Music / Folk vocalist Angela GaberFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with multi-instrumentalist Lukasz SabatFind albums by this artist and Kazakhstani guitarist Aleksander CzikmakowFind albums by this artist. Of the eleven songs included on the album, nine are traditional folklore songs and two are composed by Czikmakow, one of which has lyrics written by Gaber.
Although seemingly just another World Music gathering, this album is full of beautiful moments and surprising arrangements, which turn it into a splendid debut effort. The origins of these songs include Poland, Ukraine, Serbia, Russia and Gypsy Music, which are sung in their native tongues, but the instrumental arrangements often transport them to different parts of the World, sometimes quite far away from their origin. Sabat´s wonderful duduk parts have a distinctive Caucasian / Middle Eastern feel which immediately takes the Slavic songs on a carpet ride way to the east.
Gaber´s voice has a nice, worm tonality and sounds perfect in this folksy environment, but really explodes to its full capacity when she starts to improvise and sing vocalese and produces unconventional sounds, which are truly amazing. Sadly these advanced vocal techniques are an exception rather than the rule on this album and hopefully will be explored to a much grater extent on her future endeavors. The last five tracks on the album are all much less constrained and spacey, with a greater freedom of expression and embrace both vocal and instrumental improvisation, and as a result prove to be much more interesting than the preceding tracks. If the whole album was kept in similar atmosphere and artistic direction, it would have turned into an exceptional one.
The album has a beautifully designed cover art and an interesting sound quality, which is really down to earth in its authenticity, without being overproduced. The album was (at least partially) financed by the Polish crowdfunding portal "Polak Potrafi", which of course is a great idea, which I always recommend during mu Music Business lectures.
Overall this is a most impressive debut effort, which promises great things to come, as well as placing Gaber on the list of Polish vocalists to watch and support. Well done lass!
| | Updated: 03/01/2016Posted: 03/01/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANGELA GABER ~ ZORIA: DZIEWCZYNKA Z GWIAZD – CICHY MEMORIAL
NOT ON LABEL ~ POLAND ~ World Music & Folklore
Recorded: 2019 Released: 2019
This is the third album by Polish World Music singer / songwriter Angela GaberFind albums by this artist recorded with the same group of musicians who worked with her on the two previous albums: cellist Anna Maria NiemiecFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tomasz DybalaFind albums by this artist, duduk and bodhràn player Wojciech LubertowiczFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Przemyslaw PankiewiczFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mateusz SzemrajFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, five of which are original songs (well one is an instrumental), with lyrics by Gaber and music co-composed by Gaber and other people. One song is a cover of a Polish Pop song. Since the playing time of the CD is only slightly above half an hour it is rather an EP than a full CD album.
Musically this album continues exactly what Gaber offered on her previous releases, i.e. deeply melodic, lyrical Folk influenced music, which is highly emotional and on this album especially deeply melancholic in view of the tragic circumstances which surround it. The instrumental accompaniments are all delicate and often even minimalist, but always superbly played by the musician involved, a classic example of "less is more".
Gaber´s vocals are as usual heartfelt and offer an excellent delivery both when singing lyrics or using vocalese. She is definitely one of my favorite Polish female vocalists across the genres, and personally I am sorry she does not record more frequently, which will hopefully happen in the future.
Although, as already mentioned above, this album is way too short to offer a full scale picture of the potential and talents of Gaber and her cohorts, it is still a gem of an album, which for lack of a better solution can be simply put on "repeat", while we wait for the next one. In the meantime enjoy the honesty, elegant modesty and incredible musicality it offers. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 28/06/2019Posted: 28/06/2019 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | HAMPTON / MANGELSDORFF / PERSSON / WHIGHAM ~ TROMBONE WORKSHOP
MPS 602517797499 (Barcode: 602517797499) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of the album recorded by an international trombone quartet, which comprised of American trombonist / composer Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist, German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist / composer Ake PerssonFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Germany) trombonist / composer Jiggs WhighamFind albums by this artist. They were accompanied by a rhythm section, which comprised of Swiss pianist George GruntzFind albums by this artist, and bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Germany) drummer Tony InzalacoFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, one composed by Hampton and two each by Mangelsdorff and Whigham. The music was recorded live in Switzerland and the album is one of a series of albums released by the MPSFind albums on this label label under the “Workshop” or “Summit” moniker, which were dedicated to a specific instrument. Many of the later recordings in this series were produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who was always a maverick in creating connections between musicians and his role as Artistic Director of several key European Jazz festivals as well as a sought-after record producer status enabled him a free hand in selecting the musicians he wanted to record.
The music, although somewhat “conventional” stylistically, is completely revolutionary as far as putting several instrumentalists playing the same instrument together, accompanied only by a rhythm section, where each of them would play solo parts and all would play together the intros and outros, as well as many of the intervals within each composition. Obviously the Mangelsdorff’s compositions were often more advanced than those by the Americans, who had a traditional baggage on their shoulders.
The music is of course as brilliant as one might expect, with all musicians demonstrating their incredible abilities, both as solo performers and collective players. The music is composed, but offers a large degree of Freedom, with improvisation as the focal point. In many respects the album reflects the spirit of European Jazz at its dramatic jumpstart in the early-1970s, where national borders were completely meaningless and the only thing that really mattered was the spirit of Jazz and its creativity.
Overall, this is brilliant example of European Jazz at the time, with the American musicians embraced warmly and many of them simply moved to Europe to enjoy and exploit the advanced approaches and Freedom of Artistic expression, which was not to be found in US. All the MPS “Workshop” and “Summit” albums are worth their weight in gold. I produced a long series of “Summit” concerts during my residence as the Artistic Director of the Singer Jazz Festival in Warsaw, in memory of Berendt and his legacy.
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: 11/04/2025Posted: 11/04/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MANGELSDORFF / HAMPEL / KUHN / FAVRE ~ SOLO NOW
MPS 602517795099 (Barcode: 602517795099) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of the album recorded by four great European Jazz innovators, three Germans: trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist / flautist / composer Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, and Swiss drummer / composer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are solos, two are duos and one is a quartet recording, all bar one are originals by the participating musicians and one is a standard. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and the album’s booklet includes the original liner notes by Berendt (sadly in German only).
The music is of course as brilliant as one might expect, with all musicians demonstrating their incredible abilities, both as solo performers and collective players. The music is composed, but offers a large degree of Freedom, with improvisation as the focal point. In many respects the album reflects the spirit of European Jazz at its early peak by the mid-1970s, where national borders were completely meaningless and the only thing that really mattered was the spirit of Jazz and its creativity. Berendt was always a maverick in creating connections between musicians and his role as Artistic Director of several key European Jazz festivals as well as a sought-after record producer enabled him a free hand in selecting the musicians he wanted to record, as in this case.
Overall, this is brilliant example of European Jazz at the time, with the creative input of Berendt behind the music and the unparalleled sovereignty he enjoyed to take his creativity wherever he wanted. I had the incredible luck to be around there and then, including this particular recording session, and of course the experience is deeply implanted in my memory. Of course, knowing all these incredible musicians personally was also a most educational experience. The album is a must in any serious European Jazz collection.
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: 11/04/2025Posted: 08/04/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ A JAZZ TUNE I HOPE
MPS 602517602359 (Barcode: 602517602359) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist and American rhythm section: bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions, seven by Mangelsdorff and one by Jones. Three of the tracks are duos, one each with all the three members of the quartet. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and the booklet includes his original liner notes.
The music is stunningly brilliant and presents not only Mangelsdorff’s unique virtuosity, but also his sublime skills as a composer and his phenomenal ability to make contact with other musicians. In fact, he played with all these three musicians earlier on, but never together as a quartet. The three duos are beautiful examples of the “Art of the Duo” phenomenon, in which Mangelsdorff excelled throughout his career.
The album is one of several outstanding recordings Mangelsdorff made for MPS, all of which are milestones of European Jazz, and surely also are some of the most important examples of the role of trombone in Jazz, of which he was the greatest Master ever, and who revolutionized its role in modern Jazz, breaking all the limitations of the instrument.
Overall, this is a sublime example of the European Jazz achievements, which expanded the genre beyond its original boundaries and took it to new artistic levels, outgrowing the tradition beyond the imagination. A true gem deserving an honorable place in every serious Jazz record collection!
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: 10/03/2025Posted: 10/03/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ AND HIS FRIENDS
MPS 4029759119616 (Barcode: 4029759119616) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the MPSFind albums on this label album by legendary German Jazz trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist. It presents six improvised duos, each with another Jazz player, which are: Americans - trumpeter Don CherryFind albums by this artist, drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist, Hungarian born resident in US guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist and German born resident in US vibraphonist Karl BergerFind albums by this artist and finally German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist. Four of the compositions are credited to the members of the duo performing them and two are credited to Mangelsdorff.
Mangelsdorff was one of the Father figures of the German and then European jazz for decades. Since the late 1940’s he and his older brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist led numerous ensembles, always on the vanguard of the ever-changing Jazz scene. He was one of the greatest trombone players in the history and single-handedly changed the status of this instrument from a background / support role to the front line position, proving that when in hands of a virtuoso player the trombone can be as fascinating any other instrument.
By the end of the 1960’s Mangelsdorff gradually moved towards Free Jazz and concentrated on playing in intimate settings like the duo and later even on completely solo performances. His revolutionary solo trombone album “TrombirdsFind albums with this title” (recorded 1972) was the first solo trombone album. Albert Mangelsdorff died in 2005 at the age of 77, leaving a tremendous legacy of recorded music, as revolutionary and groundbreaking as one can only expect from a true Jazz Master.
This album, recorded between 1967 and 1969, presents the early Mangelsdorff duo recordings with some of the most important Jazz musicians of the period. Each and every one of these duo performances is completely different and yet they all create a cohesive musical vision of a genius. Not for a casual Jazz listener, but a delight for connoisseurs with a refined Jazz ear, this album also brought forth the "Art of the Duo" idiom, often used to describe European Jazz duo recordings of the highest class.
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: 02/04/2025Posted: 22/02/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ AND HIS FRIENDS
MPS 044006737522 (Barcode: 044006737522) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2003
German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist was one of the Father figures of the German and then European jazz for decades. Since the late 1940’s he and his older brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist led numerous ensembles, always on the vanguard of the ever-changing jazz scene.
He was one of the greatest trombone players in the history and single-handedly changed the status of this instrument from a background / support role to the front line position, proving that when in hands of a virtuoso player the trombone can be as fascinating any other instrument. By the end of the 1960’s Mangelsdorff gradually moved towards free jazz and concentrated on playing in intimate settings like the duo and later even on completely solo performances. His revolutionary solo trombone album “Trombirds” (recorded 1971) was the first solo trombone album. Albert Mangelsdorff died in 2005 at the age of 77, leaving a tremendous legacy of recorded music, as revolutionary and groundbreaking as one can only expect from a jazz Master.
This album, recorded between 1967 and 1969, presents the early Mangelsdorff duo recordings with some of the most important jazz musicians of the period: Don CherryFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist (drums), Karl BergerFind albums by this artist (vibraphone), Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist (guitar), Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist (alto sax) and Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist (piano). Each and every one of these duo performances is completely different and yet they all create a cohesive musical vision of a genius. Not for a casual jazz listener, but a delight for connoisseurs with a refined jazz ear.
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: 28/05/2025Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ FOLK MOND & FLOWER DREAM
TROPICAL MUSIC 68.861 (Barcode: 764916886126) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007
This is a reissue / remaster of an obscure and criminally neglected album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also included saxophonists Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist and Gunter KronbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, five of which are original compositions by Mangelsdorff and one by Sauer.
The music is insanely brilliant and presents Mangelsdorff and his cohorts at the crucial days of the birth of modern European Jazz, which explodes with originality and intense search of new forms of expression, with Free Jazz / Improvised Music tendencies. Mangelsdorff’s virtuosity as a trombone player was already fully developed by the time this music was recorded, as well as his compositional skills, and the music on this album simply explodes with originality and inventiveness. Nevertheless, he was always a marvelous weaver of brilliant melodic themes, which are the base of the improvisations by the quintet. It goes without saying that the rest of the quintet members were all superbly talented.
Overall, this is an absolute gem of early modern European Jazz and a quintessential eye (well, ear) opener as far as the birth of the European Jazz is concerned and the quantum jump it made in reference to the American Jazz tradition. It took me a while to get hold of a copy of if this album, since even after it was reissued, it got very little exposure. Absolutely essential!
| | Updated: 29/05/2025Posted: 29/05/2025 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ MUSIC FOR JAZZ ORCHESTRA
SKIP 9039 (Barcode: 4037688903923) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003
This is an album by legendary German Jazz trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with the phenomenal NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist, which features some of the best German Jazz musicians, like trumpeter Ingolf BurkhardtFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist and my Friend, Polish (resident in Germany) pianist Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, five of which are the movements of suite, which gives the album its title, and the other two are additional pieces selected for this recording, all composed by Mangelsdorff. This album, recorded in 2002, was the last recording by Mangelsdorff, before he died in 2005.
The music is everything one might expect from Mangelsdorff and the NDR, superbly composed and executed, beautifully illustrating the European approach to Jazz Big Band, and featuring some outstanding soloing by Mangelsdorff and the NDR members. The music is complex and although based on coherent melodic themes, the arrangements call for extended multilayered interplays between the band sections, and the soloist improvise openly, often even Freely. This is about as sophisticated as Big Band Jazz gets and certainly quite different of the widespread perception of what a Jazz Big Band sound like.
Mangelsdorff’s role as one of the founding Fathers of the European Jazz is invaluable and his collected recorded legacy is a reflection of his Genius captured for posterity. He always was an “out of the box” thinker and I consider myself lucky to have met him and enjoyed his company and knowledge, which deeply influenced me over the years.
Overall, this is a brilliant and highly unique Jazz Big Band album, probably one of the best ever recorded in that format, featuring sensational performances by the band and the soloists, including Mangelsdorff, who was still at excellent form despite his age. For Jazz Big Band enthusiasts this is an absolutely essential recording, but all lovers of Mangelsdorff’s unique talent will find this album indispensable. Stunning stuff!
| | Updated: 06/09/2024Posted: 06/09/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ SOLO
MPS 602517797437 (Barcode: 602517797437) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 - 1982 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of three solo trombone albums by the iconic German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist: “TrombirdsFind albums with this title” (1972), “TrombonelinessFind albums with this title” (1977) and “SoloFind albums with this title” (1982). The three albums, combined into a 2CD album, present twenty-seven tracks, all bar one composed by Mangelsdorff, and all played on trombone solo. The booklet includes an extensive interview with Mangelsdorff by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who produced many of his albums for MPSFind albums on this label (sadly only in German).
The concept of recording a solo trombone album was at the time completely revolutionary, which of course proves Mangelsdorff’s forward-thinking and his role as a bold innovator and leader on the European Jazz scene, in addition to his undeniable virtuosity and complete control of his instrument. He was of course encouraged by Berendt, who always stood behind his ideas and supported his career.
Despite the fact that the music is performed by trombone only, it lacks absolutely nothing in melody, harmony and incredible expressiveness, as always with anything recorded by Mangelsdorff. In retrospect, these bold recordings stand out even more as incredible achievements, considering the fact that they were recorded half a Century ago, and still sound complete fresh and invigorating.
Overall, this is a brilliant document of the strength of the European Jazz scene, which since the 1960s on raced forward with incredible vigor to rewrite the Jazz tradition into a new path, which saved the genre from stagnation and slow demise. It is an absolute must have for any Modern Jazz lover.
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: 02/04/2025Posted: 02/04/2025 | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ THREE ORIGINALS
MPS 731451921322 (Barcode: 731451921322) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 1993
This is a reissue / remaster of three iconic albums by the Godfather of modern German Jazz, trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist. All three albums were recorded for and released by the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label and all were produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. I had the pleasure to be in the studio where the first album was recorded and at the Berlin Jazz Days venue where the second album was recorded. All three albums were recorded in a trio setting: trombone / bass / drums.
The albums are:
“The Wide PointFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1975 with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and American drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist.
“Trilogue - Live!Find albums with this title”, recorded in 1976 with American bassist Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist and drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist.
“Albert Live In MontreuxFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1980 with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and American drummer Ronald Shannon JacksonFind albums by this artist.
The music is absolutely stellar from start to finish and Mangelsdorff’s exceptional talent as musician, improviser and innovator is fully exposed here. Mangelsdorff proved that there are no limits to any instrument, only to human imagination. These intimate trios are a great display of Free Jazz / Improvised Music at their absolute best, not to mention the exposure of the trombone as a solo instrument.
Mangelsdorff’s contribution to the development of modern German / European Jazz was absolutely crucial at the early post WWII years, with an independent view of the Jazz Artform, quite separate from the American tradition. The privilege of meeting Albert Mangelsdorff and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and spending time with them is a worm memory, which I cherish to this day.
Overall, this is a brilliant package of three great albums on 2 CD, which holds some great performances by superb musicians, all of which, except Danielsson, are no longer with us. This music is an absolute must an any comprehensive collection of modern European Jazz and Improvised Music.
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: 07/04/2023 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ TRIPLE ENTENTE
MPS 602517602366 (Barcode: 602517602366) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1982 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German Jazz trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with a Swiss rhythm section comprising of bassist Leon FrancioliFind albums by this artist and drummer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, four of which are original compositions by Mangelsdorff and one is co-credited to all three musicians. This was the last album Mangelsdorff recorded for the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label,
The music is the usual modern European Jazz, which is based on composed melody threads, but offers a lot of freedom and space to the musicians, and borders on Free Jazz / Improvised Music. Mangelsdorff’s virtuosity is at the epicenter of the album, although the rhythm section gets ample opportunity for soloing and the common creative spirit is at the helm.
Mangelsdorff was undoubtedly one of the most important movers and shakers of the German / European Jazz / Avant-Garde scene for decades, and all his albums are still completely relevant today, as his innovative spirit was light-years ahead of whatever was happening in real time. He singlehandedly promoted the trombone as a soloing instrument to an unprecedented level and his compositions ware simply timeless.
Overall, this is a perfect example of Mangelsdorff’s work and the European Jazz aesthetics at its best. Closely flirting with Free Jazz / Improvised music, but not completely Avant-Garde, this is timeless, fantastic Jazz, that sounds as fascinating as it was at the time it was recorded.
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: 11/06/2025Posted: 11/06/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ TRIPLICITY
SKIP 9052 (Barcode: 4037688905224) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2005
This is an archival live album by German trombonist / composer / band leader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio setting with Norwegian bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, six by Mangelsdorff, two by Andersen and two co-composed by the trio members. The album offers a stunning sound quality.
Although based on pre-composed themes, the music is an orgy of improvisation and startling virtuosity by the trio members. Mangelsdorff brought the trombone from the role of a rather limited backing instrument into the limelight of Jazz improvisation and his incredible technique enabled him to play sounds never previously intended to be played by that instrument, which is aptly proved herein.
Anderson, who is an amazing bassist and one of my favorite Jazz musicians in the world, proves to be an ideal partner for Mangelsdorff, accompanying him amicably and telepathically, with a no less stunning virtuosity. Favre, a highly talented drummer and avid participant on the European Improvised Music scene, is also just the right person to add the rhythmic pulsations to this music, which he does with elegance and taste.
Despite the fact that the music is largely improvised, it never loses its melodic touch and clear sense of direction. Obviously it is completely timeless and sounds as brilliant today as when it was recorded over four decades ago or released two decades ago.
Overall, this is a stunning example of European Jazz / Improvised Music, which is elegant, wonderfully put together and completely timeless, exploding with creativity, virtuosity and vision. Mangelsdorff, who died in 2005, remains an icon of German / European Jazz and this, being the only recording by this particular trio, is a superb reminder of his genius. It is, of course, an absolute must, for trombone lovers.
| | Updated: 23/07/2024Posted: 23/07/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF / FRANCOIS JEANNEAU ~ SWISS RADIO DAYS
TCB 02222 (Barcode: 725095022224) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1972 - 1979 Released: 2010
This is a live archival album, which combines two sessions recorded by the Swiss Radio with a local Swiss rhythm section comprising of German (resident in Switzerland) pianist Klaus KoenigFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter FreiFind albums by this artist and drummers Peter SchmidlinFind albums by this artist or Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and guest musicians: German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist from 1972 and French saxophonist / composer Francois JeanneauFind albums by this artist from 1979. Each session presents two tracks, both composed by the guest musician.
The Mangelsdorff session is completely freely improvised and magnificently portrays his abilities at the peak of his artistic abilities, with the rhythm section playing along splendidly, despite the fact that this was not their usual modus operandi. Since every second of Mangelsdorff’s performance is an absolute must to every European Jazz enthusiast, these almost forty minutes are a Holy Grail for his many enthusiasts and collectors.
The Jeanneau session is shorter and somewhat more tamed, but also shows his him as a magnificent improviser, and one of the finest French Jazz musicians active on the scene since the 1970. His recording legacy offers many magnificent albums, and this rare recording from the early days of his career is an important snapshot of his career.
Overall, this is a superb document of the European Jazz scene, especially important since the “Swiss Radio Days” series releases concentrated mostly on visiting American musicians, which seldom contributed interesting material.
| | Updated: 26/01/2025Posted: 26/01/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF / PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA ~ LANAYA
PLAINISPHARE 2209 (Barcode: 3561302220925) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1993 Released: 2001
This is a reissue of a live album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist recorded with the Percussion OrchestraFind albums by this artist, a quartet of percussion instrumentalists led by Swiss percussionist Reto WeberFind albums by this artist, Ghanaian African percussion Master Nana Twum NketiaFind albums by this artist, Iranian zarb player Djamchid ChemiraniFind albums by this artist and Adama DrameFind albums by this artist, a djembe player from Burkina Faso. The album presents seven tracks co-credited to Mangelsdorff and the percussionists.
It is probably the least known recording by Mangelsdorff and shows his incredible versatility and interest in music originating from different location around the globe. The music is quite unusual and finds Mangelsdorff improvising on top of the rhythmic patterns performed by the percussionists, which is definitely quite different from the usual Jazz / Improvised Music environment usually associated with Mangelsdorff. But his devoted fans (like yours truly) and lovers of his trombone virtuosity, should find this album quite fascinating.
Overall, this is a very atypical recording, which is of interest mostly to percussion lovers and devoted Mangelsdorff fans, who are open to hear him performing out of his usual musical environment.
| | Updated: 11/03/2025Posted: 11/03/2025 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF QUARTET ~ NEVER LET IT END
MPS 602517060029 (Barcode: 602517060029) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his all German quartet, which includes some of the finest European Jazz musicians active at the time: saxophonist Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four composed by Mangelsdorff, two by Sauer and one by Hubner. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and his original liner notes (albeit only in German) are included on the album’s artwork.
Mangelsdorff, and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, were the pillars of the modern German Jazz scene, which developed rapidly after WWII, both in West and East Germany, peaking in the late 1960s. Germany developed in time as an epicenter of the continental Jazz scene, with huge number of excellent musicians, brilliant club and festival scene and the strongest music recording industry, with legendary labels like MPSFind albums on this label, ECMFind albums on this label, EnjaFind albums on this label and many others, which produced the finest modern Jazz recordings in the world, leaving the US scene far beyond from that time on.
Albert Mangelsdorff was one of the most vital figures on that scene and his ever changing groups pushed the Jazz limits at all times. His absolutely unique virtuosity on the trombone changed the role of that instrument to an equally important position in the Jazz ensemble as trumpet and saxophone. I was lucky to meet him and see / hear him play and record on numerous occasions and he always left an enormous impression as a person and a musician.
His recorded legacy, which he managed to amass very prolifically, is one of the most important individual European Jazz legacies, which this album proudly represents. The music here presents a perfect amalgam of the Jazz tradition and the rapid development towards modern and Free Jazz.
Overall, this is one of the most interesting Jazz albums in European Jazz, despite the fact that it is only known by relatively very few Jazz listeners. I have owned a copy since day one and listened to this album countless times in the almost fifty years since it was released, and each and every time I managed to discover something new in the music. I can only hope some more listeners will discover it one day, although admittedly it is quite difficult to find a copy.
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: 20/07/2024Posted: 20/07/2024 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF QUINTET ~ BIRDS OF UNDERGROUND
MPS 602517175945 (Barcode: 602517175945) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his all German quintet with saxophonists Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist and Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist (who also plays flute), bassist Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter GigerFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, three of which last for over ten minutes, two composed by Mangelsdorff and two co-composed by all five musicians.
The music presents some of the finest German / European Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which by the time this music was recorded, was in full bloom, expanding the American Free Jazz of the earlier decade into a coherent, fully developed and aesthetically solidified artistic expression. Despite the total Freedom, enjoyed by the musicians, the music is perfectly structured and logically developed, sometimes based on a briefly stated theme, and at other times springing into the open as if from nowhere.
All five musicians are true masters of their respective instruments, which results in breathtaking performances by them all. Most of the music is in a form of group improvisations, rather than soloing accompanied by the rest of the quintet, which results in a situation when all five musicians are soloing at the same time, which of course might be more difficult to follow, but is extremely potent musically.
Mangelsdorff’s performances on this album are absolutely awe striking and his early 1970s output remains his most productive and revolutionary period, including his first solo trombone recording “TrombirdsFind albums with this title”, recorded and released shortly before this album, which remains one of the most iconic trombone albums in all time.
Overall, this is an absolute gem of an album which aged beautifully with time and remains as one of the finest European Free Jazz recording in all time. Very few, if any, more impressive Free Jazz albums were recorded since, and it remains a brilliant reminder of Mangelsdorff’s genius and his pivotal role in European Jazz, as well as the greatest trombone virtuoso ever. Beyond essential!
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: 15/11/2024Posted: 15/11/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | EMIL MANGELSDORFF & ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ EARLY DISCOVERIES
SWR JAZZHAUS 459 (Barcode: 730099045957) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1953 - 1963 Released: 2018
This is a wonderful archive album by Godfathers of German Jazz, brothers Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (saxophone) and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (trombone). The 2CD album presents live ad studio recordings from the vaults of the German SWR broadcasting corporation, captured between 1953 and 1963 and produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. The various combos include the who’s who of the pioneering German Jazz musicians of the post WWII era, such as saxophonists Joki FreundFind albums by this artist, Hans KollerFind albums by this artist (Austrian resident in Germany) and Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist, drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist and many others.
The first CD presets twelve tracks recorded by the Albert Mangelsdorff quintet from 1961, which plays four original compositions by Albert Mangelsdorff and eight standards. The music offers the glimpse of how European Jazz musicians interpreted the American Jazz tradition, mostly Bebop influenced, nearing the inevitable departure towards the more advanced modern European Jazz.
The second CD presents three tracks by the German All Stars twelve-piece band (with Mangelsdorff brothers as members), all composed by Freund, and one track by the Albert Mangelsdorff / Peter Trunk duo composed by Albert Mangelsdorff, all recorded in 1963. Next come four tracks by the Joki Freund sextet (with Mangelsdorff brothers as members) playing four original compositions by Freund, recorded in 1957. This is followed by a track by the 1956 version of the German All Stars band, followed by another duo track by Albert Mangelsdorff and Hungarian (resident in Germany) guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1953. The last three tracks offer a super-rare appearance by the Austrian pianist Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist recorded in 1957, before his departure to the US and world fame.
All the music is excellently recorded and offers a superb glimpse at the German Jazz scene at the late 1950s / early 1960s, when the European Jazz scene was making its formative first steps towards the independence from the American tradition, after mastering its trademarks. There is a plethora of wonderful solos and ensemble performances present, as well as examples of Albert Mangelsdorff’s love of the duo format, which dominated his entire career.
Overall this is a brilliant document of the era and a must to all European Jazz fans, interested in the history and the process of its development. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 05/04/2021 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ORANGE THE JUICE ~ THE DRUG OF CHOICE
FOR TUNE 0031 (Barcode: 5902768701333) ~ POLAND ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 2012 Released: 2014
This is a live recording by Polish alternative Rock group Orange The JuiceFind albums by this artist, which appears here both in audio and video formats with almost identical contents. The band comprises of vocalist Konrad ZawadzkiFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dawid LewandowskiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mariusz GodzinaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / cornetist Marcin Albert SteczkowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Marcin JadachFind albums by this artist and drummer Jan KiedrzynskiFind albums by this artist. Guest musicians include vocalist Ida ZalewskaFind albums by this artist and an extended brass section. The album presents fourteen original songs, all but one composed by the entire group with lyrics written by Zawadzki.
As appropriate for a Polish alternative / Avant-Garde Rock ensemble, Orange The Juice stretch the borders of the genre by expanding into such extremely disassociated idioms as Death Metal and Free Jazz. Strangely enough and against all odds this bizarre amalgam works very well overall and this is definitely a challenging, but superbly executed and highly interesting piece of contemporary music.
The ensemble freely ignores all conventions and limitations, jumping within one tune from hysteric Death Metal screams, via melodic ballad into an improvised Jazz section, somehow managing to connect the dots very effectively. Of course such daring approach is only justified if it is based on real music, which of course is true in this case.
Judging by the group´s success on the local scene in the time following this live recording, which (at the time of writing these notes) is already three years old, it seems that the potential they show here was fully realized. It is recommended to lend the listener´s ear to this, now archival, recording in order to follow their development and see the roots of their music. Satisfaction guaranteed!
| | Updated: 28/10/2019Posted: | CD+DVD 2 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ORANGE TRANE ~ FUGU
SOLITON 347 (Barcode: 5901571093475) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014
This is the fourth album by the Polish Jazz ensemble Orange TraneFind albums by this artist, and the second album by its second incarnation now called Orange Trane Acoustic TrioFind albums by this artist, which consists of vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions: seven by Lemanczyk and two by Bukowski, and one is a standard.
The music of Orange Trane is a beautiful amalgam of Jazz, contemporary Classical and World Music influences, performed with incredible virtuosity and impeccable taste. Bukowski plays vibraphone, marimba and xylosynth – a synthesized version of the xylophone, Lemanczyk plays both acoustic and electric basses and Losowski plays a wide array of percussive instruments; together they create a magic atmosphere of intimate acoustic music which is full of mystery, with scents of ancient times and far away places. The whole album is like a soundtrack of an imaginary voyage, with each track enfolding a new panorama.
The intimate acoustic setting emphasizes each individual sound and the sheer virtuosity of these performances, which are truly amazing. Personally Lemanczyk, who also composed most of the music, is the most impressive performer, with breathtaking solos and superb control of his instruments, but his colleagues also stand shoulder to shoulder with him, contributing equally well. Bukowski sets the main melodic themes, using a wide array of sounds between completely acoustic and electronically generated and Losowski drives the whole affair rhythmically, but gently enough to be in sync with the rest of the music.
This is intelligent, delicate and elegant music, which is a true pleasure to listen to, and which stimulates the intellectual parts of the listener´s brain at the same time, a rare commodity these days. Although perhaps not groundbreaking, it is definitely graceful and unique, deserving to be heard by as many music connoisseurs as possible. Well done indeed!
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  | ORANGE TRANE ~ INTERPERSONAL LINES
SOLITON 526 (Barcode: 5901571095264) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016
This is the fifth album by the excellent Polish Jazz ensemble Orange TraneFind albums by this artist, which consists of vibraphonist Dominik BukowskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Piotr LemanczykFind albums by this artist and drummer Tomasz LosowskiFind albums by this artist. On this album two players are featured as guest musicians: the British saxophonist Soweto KinchFind albums by this artist and the young Polish saxophonist Jakub SkowronskiFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven pieces, five of which are original compositions (four by Lemanczyk and one by Bukowski) and two are compositions by legendary Polish Jazz figures: Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist and Andrzej KurylewiczFind albums by this artist, included here as the band´s tribute to the older generation of Polish Jazz pioneers.
The band continues its musical path faithfully, playing modern Jazz at the highest possible standard, characterized by the virtuosic vibraphone parts by Bukowski, no less virtuosic bass playing by Lemanczyk, who consistently delivers superb lines as only he can and is completed by the energetic and elegant drumming by Losowski. The addition of the two saxophonists expands the overall sound of the band, but does not change dramatically the character of the music.
As usual, Lemanczyk also delivers his lovely compositions, which serve as ideal vehicles for the members of the ensemble to carry their individual statements. The collection of his compositions for Orange Trane, his solo albums and other recordings emerges as one of the most consistent bodies of Jazz compositions on the Polish scene, for which he deserves much more recognition than is actually awarded to him.
The greatest asset of Orange Trane is the consistency of their work, which does not try to show off or amaze the listeners but rather concentrates on keeping the musical excellence and deliver honest, straightforward musical message. There is a certain minimalism and introversion involved in their musical delivery, which often emphasizes the "less is more" principle.
Overall this is another great addition to the Orange Trane legacy, which over time achieved the symbol of quality, which does not disappoint. Well done gentleman, again!
| | Updated: 26/09/2016Posted: 26/09/2016 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | PAST PRESENT & ANDREW D`ANGELO ~ SHORT PIECES
HEVHETIA 0148 (Barcode: 8588005258098) ~ NORWAY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018
This is the debut album by a collaboration between the Norwegian duo Past PresentFind albums by this artist, comprising of trumpeter Simen Kiil HalvorsenFind albums by this artist and bassist Alexander HoholmFind albums by this artist, and American saxophonist Andrew D`AngeloFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians: pianists Pete RendeFind albums by this artist and Elias StemesederFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim BlackFind albums by this artist appear on selected tracks. The album presents ten original improvised pieces, all unusually short (under four minutes in duration) credited to the participating musicians.
The music is surprisingly very melodic, especially in view of its improvisational nature, with the Nordic melancholy omnipresent. The melody lines are often stated and soon after left to reverberate before the improvisation takes over. The concept of creating only short pieces of music proves to be successful in this case, as Improvised Music more than often suffers from overstated and in the long run repetitive exploration leading nowhere, which is completely avoided in this case.
Perhaps the idea is based in the minimalist approach, which simply puts forward a musical idea and than lets the listener to fill the blanks. One way or another these short pieces stimulate curiosity and interest, but often leave the listener surprised, when the music is unexpectedly over.
Overall this is a very interesting Improvised Music / Free Jazz statement, which manages to stick to the European aesthetics of non aggressive coexistence, which helps the music to be acceptable to listeners from outside of the relatively closed sphere of Avant Garde aficionados. Definitely worth exploring!
| | Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 17/08/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | SING SING PENELOPE / DJ STRANGEFRUIT ~ ELECTROGRIDE
MOZG 001 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2010
This is the 5th album by the sensational Polish ensemble Sing Sing PenelopeFind albums by this artist, recorded in cooperation with Norwegian DJ StrangefruitFind albums by this artist (real name Pal NyhusFind albums by this artist) and Polish (resident in Norway) violinist Sebastian GruchotFind albums by this artist. The regular SSP lineup (trumpeter Wojciech JachnaFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tomasz GlazikFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Daniel MackiewiczFind albums by this artist, bassist Patryk WeclawekFind albums by this artist and drummer / percussionist Rafal GorzyckiFind albums by this artist) is slightly changed with saxophonist Aleksander KaminskiFind albums by this artist fulfilling the position of the absent Glazik. The circumstances surrounding the recording of this album are connected to the Smolensk catastrophe, in which a plane carrying Polish Government officials crushed killing everybody on board. The musicians who recorded this album were suppose to tour Polish clubs, but as a result of the mourning the concerts were cancelled and instead they recorded the album, which was distributed free of charge in the clubs, where the concerts were supposed to be played. Of course today this album is a rare collector´s item. Musically this album marks another expansion of SSP already adventurous music into new territory, with the inclusion of electronics and ambient elements. The music becomes more contemplative and spacey, in comparison to their earlier efforts, but the Jazz solos and overall atmosphere is unmistakably SSP. Another innovation is the use of World Music percussive elements by Gorzycki, which adds another dimension to the music. The album´s ac hoc nature and the short (EP size) repertoire are all results of the on the spot decision to make the album at the time and the fruition of the ideas contained herein was fully realized in their next album. In retrospect this little gem appends a valuable add-on to the splendid recorded legacy of the ensemble so far and as usual is a splendid piece of contemporary music of rare quality.
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  | STRANGERS ON A TRAIN ~ THE KEY PART 1: THE PROPHECY
VERGLAS 011 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Another project by the keyboards wizard Clive Nolan (Arena & Pendragon), this time with female vocals. Part one of a concept album, mystical and beautiful, very much in the Yes tradition.
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  | STRANGERS ON A TRAIN ~ THE KEY PART 2: THE LABYRINTH
VERGLAS 013 ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Part two of the project above. More of the same, keyboards oriented atmospheric music with female vocals.
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  | TANGERINE DREAM ~ LE PARC
ESSENTIAL 364 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock
The German group Tangerin Dream is surely the pioneer and forefather of electronic music. Led by Edgar Foerse, who is the only constant figure in the multitude of their line-ups, the group recorded on of the most extensive catalogs (if not the most extensive) spanning close to 200 albums. This 1985 album presents music which is typical of their 1980s output - with shorter and more well defined compositions.
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  | TANGERINE DREAM ~ THE BEST OF THE PINK YEARS
CASTLE 815 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock
A great compilation of music from the 1980s by this immensly important German group, which pioneered electronic music. For people who do not wish to invest into buying their extensive catalog, this is an excellent summary or introduction to the band.
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  | TANGERINE DREAM ~ UNDERWATER SUNLIGHT
ESSENTIAL 366 ~ GERMANY ~ Progressive Rock
This album from 1986 is considered their best work in the 1980s and one of the best they ever did. Dedicated to underwater images and experiences, the floating music expresses the moods wonderfully and the compositions are all excellent. For lovers of electronica, this is a must have album.
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  | MICHAL WIERBA / DOPPELGANGER PROJECT ~ ORANGE SKY
CELESTIS 005 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014
This is the debut album by young Polish Jazz pianist / composer Michal WierbaFind albums by this artist, known to local fans as the co-leader of a quintet with trumpeter Piotr SchmidtFind albums by this artist. This is a much more intimate project, basically a piano trio plus percussion and a female vocalist on three tracks. The participating musicians apart from Wierba are: bassist Jakub DworakFind albums by this artist, drummer Arek SkolikFind albums by this artist, percussionist Lukasz KurzydloFind albums by this artist and vocalist Patrycja ZarychtaFind albums by this artist. The album consists of ten tracks, five of which are Wierba originals, three are standards and one each is by Kurzydlo and Zarychta.
Although Wierba is an excellent player by all standards, this album does him a terrible disservice. The music sounds like something played during a yuppie birthday party, always simplistic and pleasant, conformist and sugary sweet. Even the divine Jimmy RowlesFind albums by this artist´ composition "The Peacocks", played on solo piano like a Frederic ChopinFind albums by this artist nocturne, sounds completely ridiculous. The vocalist sings in English (again!) and I don´t need to repeat what I think about that. Even the album´s liner notes credit the wrong tracks to their composers, at least in the case of the a.m. Rowles composition and the tracks timings are wrong like on the last track. In short anything that could go wrong here simply did go wrong. This record should have never been recorded, nor released. I´m not adding another word…
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  | ATTILA ZOLLER / LEE KONITZ / ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ ZO-KO-MA
MPS 602517797482 (Barcode: 602517797482) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by three brilliant Jazz musicians, Hungarian (resident in Germany at the time) guitarist / composer Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist, American saxophonist / composer Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist and German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, who are accompanied by the rhythm section comprising of American bassist Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist and drummer Stu MartinFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, which include quintet, trio duo and solo tracks by the participating musicians, all original compositions by them. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and the booklet include his original liner notes (sadly only in German). Berendt often sized the opportunity to put visiting or resident musicians into the recording studio, creating some of the most exciting lineups ever.
The music is a brilliant example of the European Jazz, which was being forged by mixing the American traditions with local new approaches, and although three of the musicians on this album are Americans and only two Europeans, the music is miles ahead already from the source. Eventually Zoller, who was the most “mainstream” musician herein, settled in the US, whereas Phillips and Martin became part of the European scene for many years.
Although the music offers still some mainstream tendencies, especially on the tunes composed by Zoller, the rest of the tracks, especially the trio/duo/solo parts, are way more Free oriented. Obviously all the musicians perform brilliantly, as expected, and the music lost absolutely nothing of its power and originality over time.
Overall, this is another great example of albums produced by Berendt, which pushed the boundaries of Jazz and shaped the face of European Jazz. This is a part of the MPSFind albums on this label legacy and a must in every decent Jazz collection, albeit not easy to find these days.
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: 30/09/2024Posted: 30/09/2024 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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