Record Reviews

TONY COE`S AXEL ~ WHAT SAY WE PLAY TODAY? JAZZ IN BRITAIN 68 (Barcode: 5060774190753) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2025 This is an archival live album by British Jazz saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and his quintet called AxelFind albums by this artist, which also included pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, two of which are original compositions by Coe and one each are by Lee and Beck. The music was recorded during a performance at the Camden Festival. Axel never recorded / released an album, despite the fact that the quintet performed quite extensively during its existence, which happened to quite a few British ensembles from the late 1970s on, due to the decline in popularity of Jazz recordings at the time. Therefore, this splendid release closes one of many gaps in the history of British Jazz, which are now systematically being restored by the good people behind the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, who unearth (almost) forgotten material and bring the music back to life to the devoted and now also delighted British Jazz fans. The music is quite typical of the period, based on solid compositions by the quintet’s members and performed brilliantly by these highly talented musicians, all members of the British Jazz elite for many years. The atmosphere is quite “electric” (sic), since both Lee and Beck use electric instruments, which dominates the aural experience. The relaxed atmosphere and unusually expanded playing time (three tracks are almost a quartet of an hour and one is almost half an hour in duration) allows for extensive soloing by all the musicians, but require patience from the listener. If this music was recorded for a studio album, these tracks would have probably much more concise, but then some of the great fun would have been obviously lost. Overall, this another splendid document of the versatility and depth of the British Jazz scene in the late 1970s, as well as a brilliant glance on the instrumental virtuosity of the leader, but even more surprisingly by Lee and Beck, who both shine brightly on this album. Of course the splendid rhythm section makes everything possible. Another “must have” / “spot on” release by the keepers of the British Jazz faith, may they be productive forever!

Updated: 11/03/2026Posted: 11/03/2026

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AXEL DONNER ~ AXEL DONNER QUARTETT EDEL CONTENT 4029759082941 (Barcode: 4029759082941) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1987 Released: 2012 This is a reissue (first time on CD) of an album by the East German pianist / composer Axel DonnerFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quartet which also included saxophonist Thomas KlemmFind albums by this artist, bassist Wolfgang MusickFind albums by this artist and drummer Dieter EhrhardtFind albums by this artist. On three tracks the quartet is expanded to a sextet with the inclusion of trumpeter Joachim HesseFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mario WurzebesserFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by Donner. The music is a very melodic modern Jazz, well within the mainstream idiom, and with dominant Afro-Cuban rhythmic patterns. Very well composed and perfectly executed, this album proves that East German Jazz was not only about Avant-Garde and mainstream and even traditional Jazz existed and thrived there as well. Donner is an excellent musician, who plays perfectly well in diverse stylistic situations, always fluent and interesting. Klemm is also an excellent soloist, capable of playing melody lines and fierce improvisations at the same level of professionalism. Musick pays some very hot licks on the electric fretless bass and Wurzebesser drives the music relentlessly ahead. In some respect this album is similar to Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s Latin Jazz period, but it presents an individual approach and great original compositions. Fans of melodic, Latin oriented modern Jazz will find this album to be one of the best one can get in that particular niche. Of course the music lost nothing of its vitality and excellence over time and sounds really very inviting today. It´s great to see it available again! Side Note: As all the East European countries under the Socialist regime, East Germany, or DDR as it was known at the time, had only one state owned and controlled Music Company, which released most of its productions on the AmigaFind albums on this label label. Among the many Amiga releases the legendary "orange J" series was dedicated to Jazz recordings, many of which were licenses from the West, but others were original productions, mostly of Jazz made in DDR. Some of these releases, like the one described above, were absolute gems. Following the unification of Germany, the Amiga albums disappeared from the face of the earth and only in 2012 a German label reissued 15 Amiga Jazz albums on CD. They are all worth checking out!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 16/05/2016

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