Record Reviews
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  | GORDON BECK ~ JAZZ TRIO
ART OF LIFE 1017 (Barcode: 804640101727) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2005
Pianist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist is one of the key figures in the history of British Jazz and this album is a great document of his vital input as one of the pioneers of modern European Jazz. Recorded quite spontaneously during an Italian tour of the last version of the European Rhythm MachineFind albums by this artist, of which Beck and the other two musicians present here: British bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist, were members together with US saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, who was living in France at the time. The entire recording session took just a few short hours and captures Beck and his colleagues performing two extended compositions, each of which occupied an entire side of the original LP. The first, written by Beck, is a Jazz suite in three parts with the opening and closing sections being relatively “straightforward” and the middle section open up to free group improvisation. The second was a completely improvised piece of Free Jazz, co-composed by the trio. The music is simply breathtaking, full if incredible interplay and magic moments, with virtuosi performances. This is Beck’s most advanced venture into Free Jazz (although only partially so), previously attempted only on the fabulous “GyroscopeFind albums with this title” album, and therefore of immense historical importance. Although Beck usually stayed inside a more “conventional” Jazz framework throughout his career, his improvisational power is beyond reproach and his ability to operate in the Free Jazz realm is well proven by this album. Unfortunately this recording was know only to a very limited group of listeners, even the most dedicated Beck’s followers, so the CD reissue is most welcome. I’ve had this album for 36 years now and always regarded it as one of my favorite European Jazz releases, now others can also enjoy it. Brilliant stuff!
Side Note: The original LP was released on a small Italian Jazz label called DireFind albums on this label Records, owned by Tito FontanaFind albums by this artist. Fontana owned a recording studio in Milan, called Studio 7 (or studio Fontana), which was famous for producing soundtracks for the burgeoning Italian film industry. Tito was a dedicated Jazz buff and had a great taste and vision in Jazz. His produced and released some of the most incredible European Jazz albums in the early 1970s, which (as far as I know) were not reissued on CD so far (except this album), which is a great pity and a true tragedy. Italian Jazz fans should note that the legendary pianist Guido ManusardiFind albums by this artist recorded for the label, as did Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist and other great Italian Jazz musicians. Polish Jazz fans should note that both Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist and Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist also made albums for the label. I remember visiting Tito in Milan in 1974 and spending a few lovely days with him, talking Jazz day and night, drinking Italian wines and coffee and eating some incredible food. He was a gentle, highly intelligent person with a rare and boundless love for the music, which we both shared.
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | FRANCO D`ANDREA ~ LIVE IN PERUGIA
PENTAFLOWERS 041 ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1994 Released: 1995
This is a live solo piano album by Italian pianist / composer Franco D`AndreaFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, two of which are medleys of two tunes, so altogether there are eight original tunes by D`Andrea.
D`Andrea is one of Italy’s most famous Jazz musicians and his extensive career spans almost seven decades (he is 82 years old at the time of writing). He played with many American and European Jazz musicians over the years and his recordings span about two hundred albums. He played with Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist when the Argentine saxophonist resided in Italy, and took part in the recording of the legendary soundtrack of “Last Tango In ParisFind albums with this title” (1972). He was also a member of the Italian Progressive Rock band PerigeoFind albums by this artist during the 1970s with saxophonist Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist and bassist Giovanni TommasoFind albums by this artist, both of whom later also had successful careers in Jazz music.
This album presents him as a mature Jazz virtuoso, with a highly personal style and modern approach, which has few equals on the European scene. The music flows brilliantly from one tune to another, with a hyper-energetic tension and intensity, leaving the listens practically breathless.
Overall, this is a spectacular display of the great talent and virtuosic technical ability by one of the most fascinating European pianists of all time and one of my personal favorites. I have not heard this album since it was initially released almost thirty years ago, and it reminds to be strikingly original, and as such wholeheartedly recommended, although probably not easy to find these days.
| | Updated: 26/07/2023Posted: 26/07/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | FASOLI / GOODRICK / DANIELSSON / OXLEY ~ BODIES
AZZURRA 1327 (Barcode: 8028980739323) ~ ITALY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz
Recorded: 1989 - 1990 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of an album by an international Jazz quartet led by Italian saxophonist / composer Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist, with American guitarist Mick GoodrickFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and British drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all of which are original compositions by Fasoli.
The music is a wonderful example of modern European Jazz, based on wonderful melodic themes and performed with a lot of Freedom and space for individual expression within the quartet setting. All four members of the quartet are true Masters of their instruments and have gained a lot of experience playing with top Jazz musicians for many years. Although Goodrick comes from the US, his approach to Jazz has always been closer to European Jazz that most of his compatriots, and his rapport with the three Europeans is completely natural and open-minded.
The presence of Oxley is especially interesting here, both in the role of a “traditional” drummer and as a great innovator, playing avant-garde oriented parts, which by the time this album was recorded was his main area of interest. Any way one approaches his contributions here, those are absolutely stellar of course.
Goodrick uses the guitar synthesizer in addition to electric guitar, which adds to the unique sound of the quartet. Danielsson is the absolute anchor for the music here and his brilliant pulsation keep the music afloat. Fasoli is excellent, as always, but his ability to weave the exquisite melodic themes is especially important herein to give the album a coherent direction.
Overall, this is a little known gem, which deserves to be discovered, offering brilliant musicianship and highly advanced approach to the Jazz ensemble as a cooperative unit, able to make music that makes sense even when the traditional framework is almost completely abandoned. This is a great addition to any serious European Jazz record collection.
| | Updated: 24/06/2023Posted: 24/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CLAUDIO FASOLI / KENNY WHEELER / JEAN-FRANCOIS JENNY-CLARK ~ LAND
AZZURRA 1328 (Barcode: 8028980739422) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1988 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of a brilliant album by the European Jazz trio consisting of Italian saxophonist Claudio FasoliFind albums by this artist, British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Fasoli.
By the time this album was recorded, European Jazz had already a distinct, clearly defined character and aesthetics, of which this album is a superb example. The music is based on beautiful melodic themes, but is completely open to enable Free improvisations, complete freedom of expression and as much of an ensemble sound, as a trio setting is able to provide.
The performances are all nothing short of stellar and the soloing bloodcurdling, with plenty of amazing saxophone / trumpet unisono passages and duets, supported exquisitely by the sublime bass lines. The intimate drumless trio setting is ideal to make all the individual statements perfectly audible and the sound quality offers a perfect balance between the instruments.
Wheeler’s many followers should find his playing on this album to be absolutely amazing, and this recording is one of many of his recordings made with Italian musicians. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection.
Overall, this is a superb European Jazz recording, which sadly is relatively obscure, but remains among the finest examples of the many international collaborations that make European Jazz so interesting. The sophistication, delicacy and amazing level of musicianship present here is absolutely timeless!
| | Updated: 24/06/2023Posted: 23/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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