Record Reviews

DAVE PIKE SET ~ ALBUM MPS 4029759214946 (Barcode: 4029759214946) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2026 This is a reissue / remaster of the 5th album by American vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Dave PikeFind albums by this artist, resident in Germany between 1968 and 1972, during which he led the quartet named Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist. It included two excellent German musicians, guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter BaumeisterFind albums by this artist and Austrian bassist Johann Anton RettenbacherFind albums by this artist. This lineup recorded the first five albums by the quartet and the 6th and last album “SalomaoFind albums with this title” was recorded with another rhythm section, with the quartet renamed to Dave Pike New SetFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, three composed by Kriegel, two each by Pike and Rettenbacher and two were co-composed by all four members of the quartet. The music is absolutely sensational and light-years ahead of its time, mixing modern Jazz, Fusion and Avant-Garde ventures. All four musicians were absolute virtuosi and the artistic atmosphere in Europe at the time allowed for experimentation and limitless exploring, which resulted in a multitude of groundbreaking record in all genres, and often cross-genre. Although short-lived, the Dave Pike Set recorded some of the most advanced music at the time, combining Jazz with World Music, early Fusion and many Avant-Garde elements, creating a unique European Jazz sound, in spite of the fact that the leader was an American. Much of the credit goes of course the contribution of Kriegel´s highly idiosyncratic compositions and masterly guitar work and the rhythm section ability to swing in free time. It is interesting to compare the Dave Pike Set with the Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist quartet, one of the most interesting American Jazz ensembles at the time, which also featured the vibraphone / guitar (Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist) double lead and experimented with time signatures and early Fusion, Psychedelics and World Music excursions. The similarities are truly quite amazing. In retrospect the music lost none of its charm and adventurous nature and remains a splendid example of the European scene at the time. Overall, in retrospect this music sounds often more advanced and sophisticated than most of what is being released today, especially as far as innovation and originality is concerned. Although recorded over fifty years ago it is still completely relevant and original. Brilliant stuff! 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: 18/09/2026Posted: 18/09/2026

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