Record Reviews

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY ~ BURNIN` IN BORDEAUX: LIVE IN FRANCE 1969 ELEMENTAL MUSIC 5990448 (Barcode: 8435395504130) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by American Jazz saxophonist Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also includes his brother, trumpeter Nat AdderleyFind albums by this artist, Austrian pianist Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, bassist Victor GaskinFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents twelve tracks, a mixture of standards and original material, mostly composed by Zawinul. As usual with the Elemental MusicFind albums on this label releases, the album is accompanied by a booklet with interviews, photographs and essays with historical background about the music. The sound quality of the live recordings is certainly good enough to enjoy the music. The album offers a splendid occasion to hear Adderley with Zawinul, shortly before he left to found Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, after spending most of the decade in Cannonball Adderley’s and Nat Adderley’s groups, recording numerous albums with both of them and composing a huge part of their material. The quintet performs with passion and complete control of their faculties, as appropriate for such professionals. By the time this music was recorded, the material was getting somewhat out of sync with the dramatic developments on the Jazz scene, with Free Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion rapidly taking over the somewhat rusty Bebop and Hard Bop stylistics, but nevertheless the Adderley Brothers were still a force not to be taken lightly, and certainly able to provide the listeners with exciting and worthwhile musical experience. Overall, this is an exciting time capsule, presenting mainstream American Jazz at the very end of the 1960s, just before the scene would enter a succession of dramatic changes, in which only a minority of the musicians will take part willingly and enthusiastically, and the rest would try to carry on the music further on the same path.

Updated: 26/05/2025Posted: 26/05/2025

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CANNONBALL ADDERLEY ~ POPPIN` IN PARIS: LIVE AT L`OLYMPIA 1972 ELEMENTAL MUSIC 5990449 (Barcode: 8435395504147) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by the great American saxophonist / composer / bandleader Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also included his brother, trumpeter Nat AdderleyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist, bassist Walter BookerFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, recorded during two sets on October 25, 1972, at the legendary L`Olympia concert hall, performed as part of the Paris Jazz Festival. Most of the music was composed by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, the former keyboardist of the quintet, one tune is by Duke, another one by Nat Adderley and one is a standard. The album features, as usual, an extended booklet with interviews, articles by Jazz journalists, superb historic photographs and other background information. The album presents the music Cannonball Adderley recorded with his last quintet, in the last four years of his life (1972 to 1975 - he died suddenly in August of 1975), which was documented on the albums released by the FantasyFind albums on this label label, with George Duke as the central figure of the quintet, who pushed the music into much more modern stylistic / post Bebop direction, adding elements of electric Funk and Groove. Duke was the most impressive instrumentalist in the quintet, which is plainly audible on this album as well. He gets most of the solo spots, which are all marvelous. Moving between the Adderley and Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist groups, Duke was simply one of the most vital American Jazz musicians in the 1970s. Overall, this is a wonderful addition to the Cannonball Adderley recorded legacy. For the many of his followers it is of course a must, and although it does not reveal anything previously not captured on record, it is certainly a superb piece of Jazz history.

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted: 09/01/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MILES DAVIS / JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA RECORDINGS 1955-1961 COLUMBIA 90922 (Barcode: 827969092224) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1961 Released: 2004 This is the 1st chapter in the ColumbiaFind albums on this label’s epic series of Miles DavisFind albums by this artist Box Sets, which is a monumental reissue project of recordings by the most important Jazz musician of the 20th century. Recorded between October 1955 and March 1961 the music includes everything Miles recorded for Columbia with his legendary first quintet and sextet. John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist and Hank MobleyFind albums by this artist on saxes, Bill EvansFind albums by this artist, Red GarlandFind albums by this artist and Wynton KellyFind albums by this artist on piano, Paul ChambersFind albums by this artist on bass and Philly Joe JonesFind albums by this artist and Jimmy CobbFind albums by this artist on drums are the protagonists on these legendary sessions, creating this heavenly music, under the Master’s spiritual leadership. The music included here appeared on the albums: ’Round About MidnightFind albums with this title, MilestonesFind albums with this title, Kind Of BlueFind albums with this title and Someday My Prince Will ComeFind albums with this title, as well as on numerous compilation albums released later. There is little that I need to say about the music herein, as almost every Jazz lover is acquainted with at least the “Kind Of Blue” album, being the most widely sold Jazz recording of all times. The combination of the geniuses of Miles and Trane turn these sessions into a fundamental and quintessential Jazz experience, which serves as a model for all generations of Jazzman to come. Both of them were constantly on a spiritual quest to expand both their performing skills, taking them beyond the humanly possible, as well as crossing musical planes uncharted and visionary. Although created by humans, this music is worthy of Gods and should it have happened a few thousands of years earlier, it would be probably heard on the mount Olympus. I simply can’t imagine anybody not owning this music and listening to it repeatedly, as it is timeless and everlasting. Beyond essential!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

GEORGE DUKE ~ MY SOUL – THE COMPLETE MPS FUSION RECORDINGS MPS 602517515048 (Barcode: 602517515048) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 - 1976 Released: 2008 US keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist is one of the most colorful and versatile figures on the Jazz-Rock Fusion scene. His career stretches ways back to the mid-1960s and lasts to this very day. Starting as a classic Jazz pianist, Duke gradually moved from straightforward Jazz into Jazz-Rock Fusion, abandoning the acoustic piano in favor of the electric one and later adding a myriad of synthesizers to his workshop. His stints with Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist (twice) and Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist (where he replaced Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist) in his formative years influenced his musical path tremendously and it was Zappa who pushed him towards using synthesizers and exploring new musical vistas. Duke’s development and gradual change of style and musical vocabulary was brilliantly captured on his recordings for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label. His connection with MPS was quite accidental and recording for a small European label was quite unusual for US Artists at the time, but in retrospect Duke couldn’t have made a better decision, as the label allowed him total artistic freedom, which was almost impossible to achieve on the US scene. He recorded a total of nine albums for MPS, seven of which are collected in this superb Box Set. His first recording for MPS dating from 1966 was still very much a classic Jazz affair, which stylistically does not belong to his Fusion period, was not included here (perhaps a correct decision as far as the title goes, but as it is still unavailable on CD, it would be nice to have it reissued as well). The last recording for MPS, a solo keyboards project, is also omitted, for contractual bullshit reasons, as it caused a big legal dispute at the time, with Duke changing labels from MPS to EpicFind albums on this label. That album was reissued as “The 1976 Solo Keyboard AlbumFind albums with this title” on the Wounded BirdFind albums on this label label (the original MPS title was “The DreamFind albums with this title”). However, the remaining seven albums (“SolusFind albums with this title” and “The Inner SourceFind albums with this title”, which were released together as a double LP, “Faces In ReflectionFind albums with this title”, “FeelFind albums with this title”, “I Love The Blues, She Heard Me CryFind albums with this title”, “The Aura Will PrevailFind albums with this title” and “Liberated FantasiesFind albums with this title”) recorded between April 1971 and January 1976 are included in their entirety, beautifully remastered. These four CDs include such an immense amount of music, which is so versatile stylistically and conceptually, that it constitutes a tremendous and essential document of the era. As far as Duke’s playing and even more importantly his compositional skills, this is a beautiful portrait of an Artist, which every fan and music lover will cherish. The players on the sessions present here constitute a long list of some of the best Jazz and Fusion musicians active at the time, too long to be included here. For the inquisitive listeners let me just mention that even Frank Zappa is present (albeit incognito) on two tracks, as are many members of his Mothers Of InventionFind albums by this artist. There is something for everyone here and overall this Box Set is one unadulterated, intense plateful of fun and musical ingenuity. Absolutely 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: 28/05/2025Posted:

CD 4 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

OLES BROTHERS & PIOTR ORZECHOWSKI ~ WATERFALL AUDIO CAVE 2020/011 (Barcode: 5908298549094) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2019 Released: 2020 This is the debut album by a "dream come true" Polish Jazz piano trio, which combines the forces of the brilliant rhythm section comprising of twin brothers Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist on bass and Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist on drums (collectively known as Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist) with one of Poland´s most idiosyncratic, expressive and open-minded pianists Piotr OrzechowskiFind albums by this artist. It is therefore not surprising that the expectations from the music produced by this trio reach the zenith as far as Polish Jazz scene is concerned. As the subtitle of this album ("Music Of Joe Zawinul") discloses, the subject of the album is the music composed by Austrian composer / keyboardist Josef Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, who left Austria in 1959 and moved to where Jazz "was happening", soon to become one of the most prominent musicians on the American scene, playing with Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist and then Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, before forming the revolutionary ensemble Weather ReportFind albums by this artist and later Zawinul SyndicateFind albums by this artist. Despite his success in America, Zawinul was in many respects a tragic figure as his European background and musical tradition never truly allowed him to integrate within American Jazz. Over the years he composed a superb body of music that attested to his European foundations, which was never fully understood by his fellow musicians at the time. Therefore the recognition of the European spirit in the music of Zawinul, which is fully recognized and openly stated by the creators of this album, offers an important historical and intellectual testimonial beyond the musical layer. This approach leads of course to a completely novel and unprecedented interpretation of Zawinul´s music, dominant to such extent that most music listeners familiar with these compositions in their original recorded form will probably not recognize these compositions easily (if at all) on this album. As a result, the listeners are exposed to a completely new depth and beauty of Zawinul´s compositions, a presentation which deserves a highest respect for its ingenuity and boldness, qualities that are not surprising in case of Oles Brothers and Orzechowski. The performances are of course absolutely stellar, with every single note and sound perfectly placed within the musical kaleidoscope. The clarity of the sound and the total involvement of these three musicians is absolutely phenomenal, standing apart from almost everything else one can find on record elsewhere. It seems that the magic touch of Oles Brothers and Orzechowski combined becomes not only a sum of their sublime qualities but rather their product A word of warning for listener´s expecting anything like what Zawinul´s music sounded originally – this album demands a completely different level of involvement, concentration and open-mindedness. Of course this is an immediate favorite as far as I am concerned, and as the year (dreadful 2020) nears its most welcome ending, this album jumps straight into the small heap of top albums of the year. It is a true revelation and I feel proud to be able to call the makers of this magnificent music my Friends. Thank you, as always!

Updated: 19/12/2020Posted: 19/12/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ADAM WENDT AND FRIENDS ~ RHYTHM & JAZZ SOLITON 862 (Barcode: 5901571098623) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is an album by veteran Polish Jazz saxophonist / composer Adam WendtFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Wojciech NiedzielaFind albums by this artist, bassist Zbigniew WrombelFind albums by this artist and drummer Marcin JahrFind albums by this artist. American trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks and guitarist Dean BrownFind albums by this artist on one track. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Wendt. The album was beautifully recorded at the RecPublica Studios and engineered by Lukasz OlejarczykFind albums by this artist and offers a truly spectacular sound, The music, as the title suggests, is all mainstream Jazz that emphasizes the Rhythm And Blues stream in American Jazz popular in the 1950s and 1960s. It is pretty astounding how American this music sounds, although it is completely "Made in Poland"! When blindfold tested this music might have been identified as a "lost" Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist album. For the Jazz cognoscenti the Adderley´s great hit "Mercy, Mercy. Mercy" comes immediately to mind when this music plays, but we should remember it was written by Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, who was as European as they come. Niedziela´s vamping on this album and his piano parts are a great tribute to Zawinul. The execution is absolutely perfect in every respect – the sound, the beat, the feel and everything else sounds like top American musicians at work. But considering the fact that these are original compositions, one can only take the hat off in full respect and admiration. Although this album does not overall offer anything new or unexpected, it presents a truthful reproduction and a tribute to the lighter side of American Jazz, with originally contributed music, which does hold its ground perfectly. For the many enthusiasts, who still love this kind of Jazz, this album is a true delight and an irrefutable proof that "White Man Can Jump", especially if they are Polish.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 29/12/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JOE ZAWINUL ~ THE RISE & FALL OF THE THIRD STREAM / MONEY IN THE POCKET RHINO 71675 (Barcode: 081227167523) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 - 1967 Released: 1994 Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist arrived in the US in 1958, after being one of the first European musicians to win a scholarship to Berklee, but he left the school almost immediately and became active on the US jazz scene as pianist, arranger and composer. He played with Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist, Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist and Dinah WashingtonFind albums by this artist before landing on the piano chair with Cannonball AdderleyFind albums by this artist’s quintet, where he stayed for 9 years (1961-1969). Towards the end of his Adderley days Zawinul played for almost 2 years (1969-1970) with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, participating in the seminal recordings Miles made at that period. In 1970 Zawinul formed the legendary Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, which would revolutionize the jazz and fusion genres and continue (in a slightly different direction) the pioneering breakthroughs made by Davis. Over the years Zawinul recorded only three albums as a leader (on AtlanticFind albums on this label and VortexFind albums on this label), two of which are included here (The eponymous album from 1969 was really the starting point for Weather Report). Money In The PocketFind albums with this title, recorded in 1965, finds him in a setting similar to his Adderley’s quintet gig both musically and personally. He uses the quintet’s bass player (Sam JonesFind albums by this artist) and drummer (Louis HayesFind albums by this artist) and adds three excellent horn players: Blue MitchellFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist (tenor sax) and Pepper AdamsFind albums by this artist (baritone sax). The sextet plays a great set of bebop material, including mostly original material by Zawinul, Jones and Henderson and two standards. Zawinul’s elegant and soulful piano playing sets a firm basis for the music’s graceful flow. The Rise & Fall Of The Third StreamFind albums with this title, recorded in 1967, is a completely different album and a most ambitious and pioneering jazz venture for the time. It involves a meeting between the American jazz tradition and the European classical tradition, but as the title suggests it was meant to be a new kind of synthesis to the one attempted earlier in the US by Gunther SchullerFind albums by this artist and named “The Third Stream”, which seemed to be forced and artificial rather than natural. A meeting between Zawinul and American classical composer William FisherFind albums by this artist led to the two of them working together in an attempt to create a natural synthesis of the two musical worlds. The project involved a jazz ensemble and a string quartet, playing music composed and arranged by Fisher. The jazz ensemble includes Zawinul on acoustic and electric piano, Jimmy OwensFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Richard DavisFind albums by this artist on bass, Roy McCurdyFind albums by this artist and Freddie WaitsFind albums by this artist on drums, Warren SmithFind albums by this artist on percussion and Fisher on tenor sax. The result is a stunning piece of music, a completely new and previously attempted kind of musical vista. In retrospect one can of course hear the seeds of what Zawinul will be doing just a couple of years later with Davis and then Weather Report. Although sadly overlooked and rarely mentioned, this is a seminal album in every respect and surely ahead of its time in every respect. For the intelligent jazz lover, interested in the forces that forged the jazz revolution of the late 1960s this is an absolute must!

Updated: 09/01/2025Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend