Record Reviews
3 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | BADEN POWELL ~ IMAGES ON GUITAR
MPS 4029759113430 (Barcode: 4029759113430) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2016
This is a reissue of an album by Brazilian guitarist / composer Baden PowellFind albums by this artist, which was his fourth album for MPSFind albums on this label and which was produced by the legendary Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, like all the six albums he recorded for the label. He is supported by French vocalist Janine de WaleyneFind albums by this artist and Brazilian bassist Ernesto GonsalvesFind albums by this artist, percussionist Alfredo BessaFind albums by this artist and drummer Joaquim Paes HenriquesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Powell. Two of the compositions credit the great Brazilian poet / composer Paulo Cesar PinheroFind albums by this artist as co-composer and the four compositions that feature vocals credit de Waleyne as co-composer. One of the tracks is a solo guitar performance, which was the initial idea for the entire album, but which was abandoned in favor of the more instrumentally diverse version eventually captured on record.
The music presents a wide variety of Brazilian music, including Samba, Bossa Nova, Choro and others, but the focus is of course Powell´s virtuosic guitar playing, which dominates the proceedings. His unique improvisational technique and complete control of the instrument are absolutely stunning. The vocalese parts sung by de Waleyne are also very innovative and daring and demonstrate the endless possibilities of the human voice in the Jazz context.
From a historic perspective this album is still an excellent example of Jazz-World Fusion, and considering the fact that it was conceived and recorded decades ago, it is a truly pioneering effort. Powell, who was more appreciated in Europe than in his native Brazil, paved the path for the popularity of Brazilian music worldwide, which started a few years before this album was recorded, but more importantly produced a highly aesthetic and artistic facet of it, which balanced the widely popular Pop version of the "Brazilian invasion".
As on most MPS albums, this music was superbly recorded and the sound of Powell´s acoustic guitar on this album is state of the art, rarely heard even on contemporary recordings. Brazilian music fans, guitar music fans and all connoisseurs of Jazz-World Fusion recordings should be happy to have this album back in circulation.
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: 28/05/2018Posted: 02/12/2016 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | BADEN POWELL ~ LIVE IN BERLIN
MPS 4029759103042 (Barcode: 4029759103042) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2015
This is an archival 2CD live solo guitar album by Brazilian guitarist / composer Baden PowellFind albums by this artist, recorded shortly before his death in 2000. The album presents sixteen tracks, mostly original compositions by Powell, with the rest of the tracks composed by various Brazilian representatives of the MPB (Musica Popular Brazileira), like Vinicius de MoraesFind albums by this artist, Dorival CaymmiFind albums by this artist, Tom JobimFind albums by this artist, Luiz BonfaFind albums by this artist and others and finally an arrangement of a Classical piece.
Powell was one of the great pioneers of modern Brazilian music and contributed immensely to its worldwide popularity since the mid-1960s. His virtuosity as an acoustic guitar player remains unmatched to this very day. He left Brazil and moved to France in the late 1960s, performing often around Europe and recording for European labels, including the legendary MPS label.
The music is a wonderful amalgam of Jazz and Brazilian elements, creating some of the most exciting displays of Jazz-World Fusion, in addition to blood-curdling display of guitar playing. The intimate setting and superb recording quality make this album a true gem and an exhilarating listening experience.
Overall, this is a staggering display of acoustic guitar performances by a seasoned musician, who knows exactly which strings to pull (pun intended). Powell was a legend and this album shows why he earned such status. For acoustic guitar fans and lover of Jazz with a distinct Brazilian flavor, this is an absolute must!
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: 03/12/2023Posted: 03/12/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | BADEN POWELL ~ TRISTEZA ON GUITAR
MPS 4029759119722 (Barcode: 4029759119722) ~ BRAZIL ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the first of six albums for the MPSFind albums by this artist label by Brazilian guitarist / composer Baden PowellFind albums by this artist. It presents ten compositions recorded in Brazil and featuring various lineups form solo guitar to a sextet with local Brazilian musicians. The material includes six original compositions by Powell, some co-composed with Vinicius de MoraesFind albums by this artist, three compositions by other Brazilian composers and one Jazz standard.
The music is very intimate and close to authentic Brazilian music before it became popular in America and Europe and was largely commercialized as a result. This is a wonderful example of the early bona fide Jazz-World Fusion at its best.
Powell was a great virtuoso of the guitar and his playing here demonstrates his ability at its raw, natural form, which is fascinating and quite different from the later, much more "dressed up" forms. As such this is a definitive classic of the genre.
Connoisseurs of Brazilian music will find this album irresistible, as it lost nothing of its initial naivety and charm, but listeners expecting the polished Brazilian popularized music might be somewhat disappointed. It is great to have this music available again and it is highly recommended!
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: 28/05/2018Posted: 25/02/2018 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
|
