Record Reviews

JOHN ARAM QUINTET / KENNY WHEELER ~ SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING SUITE COUP PERDU 002 (Barcode: 797776024520) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2015 This is an album by British (resident in Switzerland) Jazz trombonist / composer John AramFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which comprises of British bassist Dave WhitfordFind albums by this artist and Swiss saxophonist Andy ScherrerFind albums by this artist, pianist Colin VallonFind albums by this artist and drummer Norbert PfammatterFind albums by this artist. British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist guests on five tracks. The album presents eleven tracks, all composed by Aram, which are parts of a suite based on a book. The album was recorded in 2009, but released only following Wheeler’s death in 2014. I came across this album during my everlasting pursuit of everything recorded by Wheeler, and although this album is pretty obscure and hard to find, it is a nice surprise. Obviously Wheeler plays spectacularly, as always, but all the musicians are excellent and the music offers a nice, melodic mainstream Jazz, based on elegant, coherent melodic themes, which offer a perfect vehicle for the individual musicians to solo extensively. Although Wheeler’s input is relatively limited, it is of course essential to every Wheeler’s enthusiast, like myself. Overall, this is a beautiful Jazz recording, which offers a pleasant, excellently composed and arranged music by highly talented European musicians, with Wheeler’s input being the proverbial cherry on top!

Updated: 22/08/2025Posted: 22/08/2025

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COLIN VALLON ~ RRUGA ECM 2185 (Barcode: 602527493503) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011 3rd album (first on the legendary ECMFind albums on this label label) by Swiss pianist / composer Colin VallonFind albums by this artist with his trio: bassist Patrice MoretFind albums by this artist and drummer Samuel RohrerFind albums by this artist. This is a perfect album in every respect – virtuosity of the performers, sublime compositions, exquisite sound (thanks to ECM) and of course a piano trio (mu favorite Jazz format). One truly needs absolutely nothing more that this. The music – 11 relatively short pieces – was composed by all three musicians, each contributing several of his works. Overall, as difficult as it is to be "special" in this difficult format, this album definitely is very special and I enjoyed every minute of it voluptuously. A must!

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