Record Reviews

EUGEN CICERO ~ ROKOKO-JAZZ MPS 4029759152477 (Barcode: 4029759152477) ~ ROMANIA ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1965 Released: 2020 This is the reissue / remaster of the debut album by Romanian pianist / composer Eugene CiceroFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio format with German bassist Peter WitteFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Charly AntoliniFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, one of which is an original composition by Cicero and five are interpretations of Classical Music pieces by various composers. The original liner notes of this album, written by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, are reproduced in the album’s packaging. Cicero escaped Romania in 1962 via Berlin, settling first in Germany and later in Switzerland. He had a long career playing Jazz / Swing interpretations of Classical Music pieces and recorded dozens of very successful albums in that idiom. This album, which earned him immediate recognition, was one of the earliest album recorded by the SABAFind albums on this label (later MPSFind albums on this label) label and offers a spectacular sound quality. Although he operated in the same idiom like Jacques LoussierFind albums by this artist, Claude BollingFind albums by this artist and others, his brilliant technique and intelligent cross-manipulation of the genres, as well as a superb Swing, made him very unique and he managed to avoid the kitsch many of such artists often dived deeply into. Overall, this is a lovely cross-genre outing, which is witty and elegant, and a pure joy to listen to, and definitely a must for all Jazz-Classical Fusion lovers. It is delightful to have this gem back in circulation. Wholeheartedly 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: 29/12/2023Posted: 29/12/2023

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SINGERS UNLIMITED / ART VAN DAMME ~ INVITATION MPS 4029759097464 (Barcode: 4029759097464) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the 5th album by American vocal quartet The Singers UnlimitedFind albums by this artist, which comprised of Gene PuerlingFind albums by this artist, Don SheltonFind albums by this artist, Len DresslarFind albums by this artist and Bonnie HermanFind albums by this artist. The group was discovered by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist, owner of the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label Records, who produced, recorded and released most of their albums between 1971 and 1977. On this album they are accompanied by the American accordionist Art Van DammeFind albums by this artist (a pioneering Jazz accordionist) and a dreamy team comprising of top German Jazz players: guitarist Sigi SchwabFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Heribert ThusekFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Charly AntoliniFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eleven popular songs and Jazz standards, carefully arranged for the vocal and instrumental ensembles. Although this album presents the lighter side of the Jazz idiom, it is far from being trivial. Singers Unlimited was one of the top vocal Jazz quartets at the time and had very little competition in their highly sophisticated multilayered vocal arrangements, except the Polish ensemble NOVIFind albums by this artist Singers. The instrumental work is also a living proof of the level of European Jazz players at the time, which was not inferior to anything coming from across the pond. This album is a great fun to listen to, even though decades passed since it was recorded. Fans of vocal Jazz and especially vocal ensembles which sung in perfect harmony as if they were created by a multi-mouthed being should have a field day with this music. I suppose there are not too many accordion Jazz fans around, but those few out there will find this to be 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: 21/01/2025Posted: 01/07/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JONNY TEUPEN ~ HARPADELIC MPS 4029759097358 (Barcode: 4029759097358) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2014 This is the second album on the MPSFind albums on this label label by German harpist Jonny TeupenFind albums by this artist, a Classical player who also had the Jazz streak in him and was at the time probably the only harpist who could swing. This album was of course quite an oddity in the MPS catalog and gained a legendary status over the years as an extra-rare collectors´ item, as it was out of print for decades. Teupen is accompanied by a superb dream-team of players from the MPS stable: guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, American vibraphonist Dave PikeFind albums by this artist, bassist Johann Anton RettenbacherFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer Charly AntoliniFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist and American trombonist Jiggs WhighamFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten pieces, seven of which are original compositions by the musicians playing on the album (Teupen composed or co-composed four of those) and three are arrangements of Pop songs. Although obviously on the lighter side of the Jazz idiom, this album includes many absolutely splendid moments and the overall Psychedelic Jazz feel is completely unique and highly entertaining. Of course due to the participation of such esteemed Jazz players the level of performance is perfect from start to finish. In retrospect this album is a very interesting experiment, combining a classical instrument (the harp), Jazzy arrangements and Psychedelic Pop, which was at its peak at the time, creating one of the most unique sounding albums in the entire MPS catalog, which is revered for its quality. This album is definitely worth being discovered, as it hides many beautiful musical gems, which are too good to be lost in time. 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: 27/05/2018Posted: 04/02/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend