Record Reviews

ROBERT BACHNER ~ TRAVELLING HARD ATS 0601 (Barcode: 9005216006014) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is the second album as a leader by Austrian Jazz trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist, pianist Reinhard MickoFind albums by this artist, bassist Uli LangthalerFind albums by this artist and drummer Christian SalfellnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, all by Bachner. Bachner, who is one of the busiest players on the local scene, was a member of the sadly deactivated Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, and is now a member of the excellent Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (led by Maurer), but also records leading his own Big Band and smaller ensembles as well as playing in many other outfits, in addition to his composing and teaching duties. As this album shows Bachner is a trombone virtuoso, capable of making his instrument sing sweetly and deliver complex sequences, which normally are not associated with the trombone, which sadly is a much neglected instruments in Jazz as far as soloing is concerned. He is also a gifted composer, able to weave beautiful melodic themes, full of lyricism and melancholy, but also swing hard in his other compositions. Accompanied by four excellent Jazz musicians, he offers on this album wonderful modern mainstream Jazz, which is a delightful musical experience from start to finish. The album won the album of the year prize in Austria in 2006, which is hardly surprising. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. This is definitely something not only to be discovered but also something to be followed, as the scene is alive and kicking. For trombone enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 25/01/2020Posted: 25/01/2020

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ROBERT BACHNER BIG BAND ~ MOMENTS OF NOISE ATS 0616 (Barcode: 9005216006168) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2006 This is the debut album by an Austrian Jazz Big Band led by trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist. The BB comprises of a five piece reed section, a four piece trumpet section, a four piece trombone section and a four piece rhythm section. Bachner, who conducts the BB, plays trombone soli on three tracks and his wife Karin BachnerFind albums by this artist adds vocals on two tracks. The album presents nine compositions, five of which are originals by Bachner and four are standards. Bachner, who is one of the busiest players on the local scene, was a member of the sadly deactivated Vienna Art OrchestraFind albums by this artist, and is now a member of the excellent Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (led by Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist), but also records leading his own Big Band and smaller ensembles as well as playing in many other outfits, in addition to his composing and teaching duties. This album shows Bachner more as a composer and bandleader than as a trombone virtuoso, which he certainly is as well. The superb original compositions of his are perfect vehicles for the BB to spread its wings and present its wonderful ability to swing smoothly like a baby´s bottom, and yet show the depth, sophistication and power of a BB sound, which undoubtedly is the most versatile and powerful "instrument" within the Jazz idiom. Bachner, although schooled and influenced by American Jazz, is still perfectly able to preserve the European Jazz aesthetics, which is most obvious in the BB treatment of the standards, which have been also often recorded by American BB, and which can be compared. In his intelligent liner notes Bachner tells the tale of each of the tunes and the circumstances leading to their appearance on the album, which is also a greatly educational read about the Austrian Jazz scene and especially about other Austrian Big Bands, clearly showing that Austria was and still is a very fertile ground for this particular subgenre. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. For Jazz Big Band enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/02/2020Posted: 01/02/2020

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ROBERT BACHNER / HELMAR HILL ~ EIN FEINER ZUG ATS 0644 (Barcode: 9005216006441) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Austrian Jazz musicians: trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Helmar HillFind albums by this artist. The album presents six (one being a three-part concerto for trombone and piano) original compositions, three each by the duo members. Bachner and Hill, who are among the busiest players on the local scene, are both members of the splendid Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but also record with their own ensembles as well as play in many other outfits. This album beautifully emphasizes their abilities both as talented composers and superb instrumentalists, presenting a masterpiece recording in the "Art of the Duo" Jazz idiom, which always was one of my favorite Jazz facets. It is intimate and demanding, showing perfectly the interplay and communication between the two musicians and their telepathic coordination, and allowing a proper display of their individual chops, which are spectacular indeed. The compositions are all wonderfully melodic, exhibiting the typical European melancholy, especially so in the case of the concerto composed by Hill, which combines several musical themes and an almost Classical compositional approach. This album is a perfect example of the "less is more" principle, which albeit its seemingly limited instrumental possibilities proves that two great musicians can be no less effective than a much larger ensemble. The elegance, finesse and astounding musicianship offered by the duo attest to the strength of the European Jazz scene, which has no reason to display any inferiority complex in reference to Jazz musicians from across the pond. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. For "Art of the Duo" enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/02/2020Posted: 01/02/2020

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BACHS ~ OUT OF THE BACHS GEAR FAB 211 (Barcode: 645270021128) ~ USA ~ Classic Pop Recorded: 1968 Released: 2004 Only album by obscure US (Chicago) band The BachsFind albums by this artist, which is a good example of garage Rock. Playing self-penned material and using great vocal harmony, the band had a potential to achieve at least some fame, but disbanded shortly after recording this album. Although obscure, this album definitely worth investigating.

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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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MUSEO ROSENBACH ~ ZARATHUSTRA SI-WAN 1047 ~ ITALY ~ Progressive Rock Only album from 1973 by one of the best ever Italian Prog groups and considered by many to be a corner stone of the Italian contribution to Prog. Dominated by keyboards, especially mellotron, very melodic and a bit `heavy` in some moments. Great vocals as well, not over-dramatic as they tend to be on many Italian releases. Title track over 20 minutes!

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TESSERACT ~ TESSERACT NOT ON LABEL ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1996 - 1997 Released: 1997 1st album by obscure US Prog quintet TesseractFind albums by this artist, which presents quite an ambitious, almost totally instrumental set of compositions, heavily influenced by Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist and Classical Music, sort of GG goes Baroque. The front instrument is the violin, played by obviously classically trained Karen BentleyFind albums by this artist, with keyboardists and the band´s main composer Don TillmanFind albums by this artist supplying all most of the melody lines using an array of instruments, including the Mellotron. The only non-original piece on the album is the band´s adaptation of a BachFind albums by this artist composition, which suits the bill. As nothing was heard from the band in over a decade now, this might be their only recording, but it is a little gem that well deserves to be remembered. The more classically inclined Prog lovers will definitely enjoy this album very much, as well as all GG aficionados. Recommended!

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MARTIN URBACH ~ FREE WILL NOT ON LABEL (Barcode: 700261254609) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 1st album by US drummer / composer Martin UrbachFind albums by this artist, who was born in Bolivia and moved to the US at the age of 18, settling in New Orleans. Following the tragic events in New Orleans as the result of the devastating Hurricane Katrina hitting the town, he relocated to NY State. This album features a quintet with Urbach on drums, Scott BourgeoisFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Brian SeegerFind albums by this artist on guitars, Tim CollinsFind albums by this artist on vibraphone and Pascal NiggenkemperFind albums by this artist on bass, playing nine original compositions by Urbach. The music is high-spirited, with well developed melodies and excellent performances by all musicians. Nothing overtly experimental, just good, straight-forward Jazz, well played and full of ideas and great melodies, something every Jazz lover should enjoy. This is the kind of music one can easily return to time after time, enjoying it repeatedly. Since the vibraphone is rarely used these days, I especially enjoyed hearing that wonderful instrument back in action. Recommended!

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