Record Reviews

ROLF KUHN ~ INTERNAL EYES INTUITION 750447332829 (Barcode: 750447332829) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 - 2001 Released: 2001 This is a fine album by German clarinetist / composer Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, one of my all time favorite musicians, recorded with members of the younger generation of the German Jazz scene: organist Frank ChastenierFind albums by this artist, bassist Detlev BeierFind albums by this artist and drummer Wolfgang HaffnerFind albums by this artist and several guest stars: American saxophonist Bob MintzerFind albums by this artist, Swedish pianist Claes CronaFind albums by this artist, French pianist Martial SolalFind albums by this artist, American guitarist Chuck LoebFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist. Together they perform ten tunes, five of which are originals by Rolf Kuhn, three are by Mintzer and the remaining two are standards. The album was partly recorded by the legendary sound engineer / producer Walter Quintus and the sound quality is of course excellent. The music on this album is mostly mainstream Jazz, which pays tribute to the American Jazz tradition, with elegant and sophisticated touches of European Jazz. When Mintzer plays up front, everything sounds American and when Kuhn plays up front everything sounds European, which is hardly surprising. Same can be said about Crona and Solal, who come from two very different Jazz environments. The two tracks that feature Loeb are Fusion oriented. In short this album embraces both the traditional approach and the modern one, treating them both with respect and as a result presents Kuhn as a versatile, relevant figure despite his advanced age. Kuhn´s clarinet sound, which has been his trademark for decades, is absolutely unique, combining the traditional Jazz approach originating in the early Jazz days and European modernism. Kuhn, who often joins forces with his pianist brother Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, produced a substantial and consistently excellent body of recorded work over time, which in retrospect is an integral part of the European Jazz and one of its finest facets. This is one of the most accessible and straightforward albums that Kuhn recorded during his extended career and as such is highly recommended to listeners who are not familiar with his work, perhaps serving as an introduction to the Rolf Kuhn universe, which is vast and versatile. Definitely worth exploring!

Updated: 05/02/2016Posted: 05/02/2016

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ROLF KUHN TRIO ~ AS TIME GOES BY BLUE FLAME 40292 (Barcode: 4002587402921) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 1991 This is an album by legendary German Jazz clarinetist / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded in the intimate trio setting with his younger brother, pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and bassist Detlev BeierFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, two of which are original compositions by Rolf Kuhn, another two by Joachim Kuhn, one is co-composed by them and two are standards. The album was brilliantly recorded by Walter QuintusFind albums by this artist, at the legendary CMPFind albums on this label studio. The music is an ideal amalgam of composed and improvised music, based on composed themes and then expanded by lengthy improvisations by all three musicians. It offers a relatively rare opportunity to hear the clarinet in the modern / Free Jazz environment, as well as get exposed to the brilliant work by Beier, who is definitely one of the finest German bass virtuosos, which is plainly evident herein. All three musicians have plenty of opportunity to expose their masterly skills and the telepathic rapport between them is absolutely stunning. Rolf’s sweet tone and heart-melting melodicism are perfectly matched by his improvisational skills and the intrinsic freedom, which are unmatched. I feel lucky to have been able to experience so many hours of his brilliant performances in person over the years and listening to this album vividly brings back memories of his presence, which I often miss. Joachim is, of course, as brilliant as always and his arpeggios and uncontainable fluidity fill the space behind his brother’s melodic statements, while Beier supplies, mind you all by himself, all the rhythmic support needed and more. Overall, this is one of the most beloved albums by Ralf Kuhn in my collection (and I have all of them of course). Brilliantly melodic, and Free spirited at the same time, this is Jazz as its most naked, striking form, which is completely timeless and everlasting. Miss you, my Friend!

Updated: 02/08/2024Posted: 02/08/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MARK NAUSEEF ~ PERSONAL NOTE CHICKADISC 003 (Barcode: 5901549197792) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the debut album by the American drummer Mark NauseefFind albums by this artist, originally released on the legendary German CMPFind albums on this label label. It features an incredible team of musicians, which includes the German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, Indian percussionist Trilok GurtuFind albums by this artist, German keyboardist George KochbeckFind albums by this artist and guest stars: Dutch guitarist Jan AkkermanFind albums by this artist, German bassist Detlev BeierFind albums by this artist and British vocalist / bassist Phil LynottFind albums by this artist of Thin LizzyFind albums by this artist fame. The album presents six original compositions, most of which were composed or co-composed by Kuhn, except one percussion duet which is credited to Nauseef and Gurtu. The music presents a wide variety of styles, from Rock, via Jazz-Rock Fusion, Jazz-World Fusion and up to Improvised Music, which is completely unpredictable but always fascinating. There are definitely composed parts, but most of the music is improvised, using a plethora of instruments, both acoustic and electronic, producing a sound which was way ahead of its time. In retrospect this music sounds as innovative today as it was at the time of its recording, completely free of any stylistic constrains and instrumental conceptions. The strong rhythmic layer of drums / percussion adds a feeling of vitality and urgency and the piano / saxophone parts by Kuhn are absolutely stunning, catching him at his very best. Overall this is a blast from the past, which is most welcome to be back in circulation after a very long period of absence. For true Fusion connoisseurs this album is a Holy Grail which should be a part of any serious music collection. As usual the remastered music and excellent liner notes make this reissue a must have. The ChickadiscFind albums on this label label is a subsidiary of the excellent Polish GADFind albums on this label Records, which by now is a trademark of quality.

Updated: 06/02/2018Posted: 06/02/2018

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend