Record Reviews
17 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ A LOVE SUPREME: LIVE IN SEATTLE
IMPULSE! 602438499977 (Barcode: 602438499977) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2021
This is an archival album by iconic American Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader / visionary John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, captured live on October 2, 1965 at the Penthouse Jazz club in Seattle with his septet, which also includes saxophonists Pharoah SandersFind albums by this artist and Carlos WardFind albums by this artist, pianist McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, bassists Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist and Donald GarrettFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, the four-part “A Love Supreme” suite and four interludes.
The music was recorded informally by local Seattle saxophonist and educator Joe BrazilFind albums by this artist and the tapes were in his private collection for many years, until they were discovered in 2013 but released only eight years later. The recording is pretty rough and primitive, using just two microphones directly plugged into the tape recorder, resulting in a highly unbalanced sound mix with the drums dominating most of the music.
Coltrane very rarely performed the suite live after it was recorded in the studio in December of 1964, and there was only one available live recording of it before these tapes were discovered. This is not really surprising considering Coltrane’s very special relation to the suite, which he considered highly spiritual. The decision to perform it on the last day of the Seattle club residence was most probably entirely spontaneous, but the musicians in Coltrane’s septet were obviously not taken aback by that decision and played along as if it was a completely natural one.
The music is, despite the difficulty to be able to hear it properly, absolutely stunning, demonstrating and peak of Coltrane’s Free Jazz period, just before he entered the final “wall of sound” period. It is not difficult to distinguish between Coltrane’s and Sanders’ solos of course, as their approach was quite different. Tyner, whenever heard, plays Godly, as usual, with his staccato bombardment of the keyboard, and yet beautifully melodically at all times. The double bass lineup allows the rhythm section to expand its role and using the bow, as well as solo extensively during the Interludes and Jones is what he is, masterly keeping time and playing around the time all at once.
Overall, this is a superb document of American Free Jazz at its absolute peak, as well as another “missing link” in the seemingly endless Coltrane discography, which is one of the most important one-man manifestations of American Jazz ever. The bad sound balance gets all forgotten when the music lashes at the listener’s ears, and every split second of the music is an incredible evidence of Genius incarnate.
| | Updated: 08/07/2024Posted: 28/02/2022 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ A LOVE SUPREME: THE COMPLETE MASTERS (SUPER DELUXE EDITION)
IMPULSE! 602547489470 (Barcode: 602547489470) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 - 1965 Released: 2015
This is the singular most important piece of music ever recorded.
Everything else I or anybody else has to say about it is of secondary importance to be honest, so I´ll just stick to the facts and a few personal reflections.
This version of the "A Love SupremeFind albums with this title" album is the second expansion of the original album released in 1965, which featured four tracks (called "Acknowledgment", "Resolution", "Pursuance" and "Psalm") recorded on December 9, 1964 by the legendary quartet led by American saxophonist / composer John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, which also included pianist McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist.
The 2002 Deluxe Edition added to the original album on the first CD a second CD comprising of "A Love Supreme" recorded live at Festival Mondial du Jazz Antibes, Juan-les-Pins, France on July 26, 1965, and also a couple of alternate takes from the quartet session recorded on December 9, 1964 and a couple of alternate takes from the sextet session with saxophonist Archie SheppFind albums by this artist and second bassist Art DavisFind albums by this artist, recorded on December 10, 1964, which attempted to record the same music but resulted in recording only six takes of "Acknowledgment".
This 2015 Super Deluxe Edition is expanded to three CDs and includes in addition to all the tracks of the Deluxe Edition nine previously unreleased alternate takes, five of which originate from the quartet session and four from the sextet session. It also includes an informative little book with many photographs and handwritten remarks and musical notation by Coltrane, which is highly educational.
God only knows if more recordings connected to these sessions will pop up in the future; experienced record collectors know very well to treat the word "complete" with extreme caution and disbelieve. In the meantime we are of course grateful to have access to this Godly music and enjoy it to the max.
I have been listening to this music continuously from the day it was released, which is now over forty years in the past. I grew up with it, lived with it and now am getting old with it and never for a moment could I imagine it to be absent from the soundtrack of my life. In retrospect this music encompasses everything I consider essential in music: it has great melodies, it is mesmerizing from start to finish, it includes the entire Jazz tradition, from Ragtime to Free, it connects with Music from other Cultures, it is deeply spiritual and intellectual at the same time, and of course it is absolutely super-humanly performed.
I often say that all music created after Coltrane, as good as it might be, and it often is insanely good, never really expanded the boundaries of music again. Coltrane was the Messenger, and he simply said it all. This does not mean of course that new music shouldn´t be made; of course not, it simply means that there is a scale of reference, which we can always apply to music, in order to properly appreciate and evaluate it.
Side Note: Today is Valentine´s Day, so what could be more appropriate than "A Love Supreme"! But seriously, this is the 5,000th album review that I write for the "Soundtrack Of My Life" site, a number which probably does mean very little to most people but it encapsulates years of writing about music, an activity I love to be involved with more than anything else. Hopefully some people are also reading this…
| | Updated: 20/05/2018Posted: 14/02/2016 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ BLUE WORLD
IMPULSE! 602577626524 (Barcode: 602577626524) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 Released: 2019
This is an archival album by the legendary American Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, recorded with his classic quartet featuring pianist McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight short tracks, which are five original compositions by Coltrane, one with three takes, one with two takes and the other three with one take each. The music was recorded on June 24, 1964 between the recordings sessions for the “CrescentFind albums with this title” and “A Love SupremeFind albums with this title” albums. The recording is in mono, since it was about to serve as a soundtrack to the film “Le chat dans le sac” by the Canadian director Gilles GroulxFind albums by this artist, released later that year. It was the only soundtrack recording by Coltrane. The music remained unreleased for fifty-five years!
Although the music is, as everything recorded by Coltrane, sublime, the album introduces nothing new to Coltrane’s recorded legacy. All the compositions were already previously recorded and the music offers some of the most “well behaved” Coltrane performances, which were actually out of sync with his stylistic approach at the time of the recording, obviously since the music was intended for a soundtrack and highly improvised Free Jazz was way too early to appear on the screen. That said, Coltrane and the quartet at the apex of their powers and the music swings wonderfully with the saxophone soaring highly above.
Overall, this is definitely a worthy addition to the extended Coltrane discography, perhaps less essential than his other studio recording of that period, but still blessed by his enormous and unique talent. For Coltrane completest this album is of course an absolute must!
| | Updated: 08/07/2024Posted: 20/01/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ ONE DOWN, ONE UP: LIVE AT THE HALF NOTE
IMPULSE! 602498621431 (Barcode: 602498621431) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2005
This is an archival album by iconic American saxophonist / composer John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and his legendary quartet with pianist McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents two sessions recorded on March 26 and May 7, 1965, recorded by the radio station WABC-FM, which used to broadcast the Friday concerts under the “Portraits Of Jazz” moniker. These two sessions were recorded in between the two studio sessions that resulted in the “The John Coltrane Quartet PlaysFind albums with this title” album.
Each of the two sessions presents just two lengthy improvisations, together four tracks, lasting between 12+ to 27+ minutes. The title track, which is also the longest track on this album, is also the longest Coltrane solo ever recorded, most of which is a duo between him and Jones.
There is no sense of writing about this music really… Endless stream of words was already written about Coltrane and his music: articles, books, documentaries, etc., none of which are able to even come close to describe his music and the genius of his creative process. Obviously sometimes music is just beyond words. Therefore, I’ll just share my retrospective reflections here.
1965 was undoubtedly the year when the music of Coltrane peaked, or at least the music he played, which was still connected to his Jazz roots and tradition and before his rapid musical progression will take him into interstellar dimensions and his music would become completely spontaneously improvised.
For the sharp-eared listeners it should be fascinating to note the differences between the music played just six weeks apart, a seemingly completely insignificant period of time in a life of a musician, but in case of Coltrane, who was already traveling at the speed of light, the transformation is colossal. His meditative playing and the cry of anguish he produced were already the Coltrane of the last two years of his life, which led to the disintegration of the classic quartet captured here.
Coltrane played in this tiny / dinky NY club for a ridiculously small audience, whereas in Europe and Japan his concerts were attended by thousands of appreciative fans. That much for the American Jazz scene…
And of course the most daunting of all the reflections about Jazz music: this album proves beyond the shadow of a doubt that the development of Free Jazz / Improvised Music reached its peak in the mid-1960s and nothing, I mean NOTHING, happened in that idiom, which might be considered as expanding the limits of that music ever since. The idiom still exists but it is sadly completely stagnant.
Since these recordings were not included in any of the Coltrane Box Sets and were only released for the first time forty years after they were recorded, this is an absolute must for every Coltrane follower.
| | Updated: 08/07/2024Posted: 06/08/2021 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE COMPLETE 1961 VILLAGE VANGUARD RECORDINGS
IMPULSE! 232 (Barcode: 011105023221) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1961 Released: 1997
When this music was recorded in November of 1961 I was only 10 years old and yet it changed my life forever. Living in (Socialist) Poland, my access to contemporary (at the time) jazz originating in the US was pretty limited and the only beacon of light was the daily Willis ConoverFind albums by this artist’s radio jazz program on Voice Of America, beamed from across the Iron Curtain. Millions of Eastern European listeners would risk freedom (listening to VOA was a criminal act then) to gain freedom, myself included. These broadcasts changed the life of countless people and particularly in Poland would eventually be a dominant factor in the process of forming a burgeoning and extremely fruitful local jazz scene. Many hours of my early childhood were spent with myself standing on a conductor’s podium (e sledge), in front of an imaginary orchestra playing inside the enormous radio (a pre WW II antique). Since classical music was less censored and sponsored by the Establishment, it was there for us to enjoy most of it of very high quality. I remember listening for hours at end to the annual Chopin competition, which was Poland’s most prestigious music event, getting to know his music inside out before I even knew anything about him. My Mother encouraged my “conducting” aspirations warmly, supplementing them with occasional background information. But the discovery of jazz and its strange convoluting patterns and unfamiliar rhythms was a revelation. I just couldn’t get enough of it and every new artist or piece of music was an instant bliss. By the time I was about to hear John ColtraneFind albums by this artist for the first time I was already familiar with the music of Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, Count BasieFind albums by this artist, Charlie ParkerFind albums by this artist and Dizzie GillespieFind albums by this artist (thanks to Mr. Conover). Conover, in contrast to many of his peers (who were stuck in be-bop or some earlier jazz sub-genre for the rest of their lives), was remarkably open-minded and understood the genius of Coltrane and his visionary contribution to the development of the Jazz Art form. He therefore featured every new Coltrane album as soon as it was released. So here I was, 10 years old, some time in early 1962, listening to the Village Vanguard sessions – an experience equivalent to a 10,000 Volts electricity shock. My life would definitely be never the same again. I hope these personal reminiscences don’t put you off too much, but I just couldn’t resist the temptation. Taking the time-travel express to now here are my comments about this music from a “45 years later” point of view. In 1961 Coltrane left AtlanticFind albums on this label (his second label, PrestigeFind albums on this label being the first) and signed a contract with Impulse!Find albums on this label, the new and ambitious jazz label run by producer Bob ThieleFind albums by this artist, where he would stay for the rest of his life. Coltrane was already following a path (mostly subconsciously) which would lead him to the edge of the known jazz explorations and beyond. His monumental Atlantic albums like Giant Steps and My Favorite Things were just a glimpse of things to come. Coltrane felt that Thiele would allow him to speed up the process of reaching the quest of musical enlightenment by allowing him total artistic freedom and supporting him all the way and he was of course right. The extensive volume of music recorded for Impulse! in the span of almost 7 years right up to his death would become the most important musical legacy of the 20th Century, so innovative and groundbreaking that it is still a mystery to many contemporary listeners and musicologists today. Coltrane’s first recording for Impulse! (in the spring of 1961) would be the Africa / Brass sessions, an ambitious project involving a large ensemble of the most gifted players on the scene (Freddie HubbardFind albums by this artist, Booker LittleFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and many others) – see The Complete Africa / Brass SessionsFind albums with this title album, another essential Coltrane release. These sessions introduce several new elements in Coltrane’s music, like Far-Eastern motifs, African rhythms and other ethnic influences. In November of 1961 Thiele decided to record Coltrane live, using the 4 nights booking at the NY club The Village Vanguard (where many jazz albums were recorded live) for this purpose. The booking was for a John Coltrane Quintet and it was only natural that the Quintet would include Eric Dolphy, whom Coltrane knew, respected and played with earlier. The legendary Quartet (with McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist and Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist) was not entirely crystallized at the time, so Coltrane and Thiele decided to expand the line-up (on some takes) to include an oud player (Ahmed Abdul-MalikFind albums by this artist) and alternative bassist (Reggie WorkmanFind albums by this artist) and drummer (Roy HaynesFind albums by this artist). Since this music was recorded for a future release Thiele (as any produce would do) recorded several takes of each tune, some with an alternating line-up. This 4CDs Box Set includes all the music that was recorded during these four days (mind you not all the music that was played, as some of it was not recorded hence the “complete” being not entirely true) in the exact order it was recorded. This music was to be released later on two albums (Live At The Village Vanguard and The Other Village Vanguard Tapes) as well as parts of other albums (Impressions) and collections. Collected here together for the first time, this is a monumental piece of jazz history and an unforgettable musical experience. Coltrane’s circular breathing technique and his “wall of sound” approach are clearly evident here for the first time in their full glory. The comparison of the different versions of the same tunes are both fundamental and clairvoyant examples of the “one time experience” that every jazz performance essentially is. The power, the vision, the super-human strength of will of the Master and Prophet (please excuse the almost religious references) that Coltrane was, are here for us, his disciples, to discover, study, revere and bequest to future generations. This Box Set is something one has in one’s record collection for life. It is not only timeless, but also constantly evolving in parallel to one’s private (musical) evolution. Listening to it time after time (especially after a long period of abstention) will be revealing and constantly surprising. It is a superb example of great Art, which keeps alive for eternity, adopting itself to the changing cultural surroundings, and therefore being truly eternal. I can’t imagine anybody, who calls himself a music lover, not owning this music, as naive as this might sound, since I believe there is something in it for everybody. Beyond essential!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 4 Box Set Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE ~ THE HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: THE COMPLETE ATLANTIC RECORDINGS
RHINO 71984 (Barcode: 081227198428) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1959 - 1961 Released: 1995
This magnificent Box Set compiles everything John ColtraneFind albums by this artist recorded for AtlanticFind albums on this label – his second long-term recording stint with a label following his PrestigeFind albums on this label period and preceding his final years on Impulse!Find albums on this label. The first 6 CDs include all the 10 Coltrane’s LPs released on Atlantic (Giant StepsFind albums with this title, Coltrane JazzFind albums with this title, My Favorite ThingsFind albums with this title, Bags & TraneFind albums with this title, Olé ColtraneFind albums with this title, Coltrane Plays The BluesFind albums with this title, Coltrane’s SoundFind albums with this title, The Avant-GardeFind albums with this title, The Coltrane LegacyFind albums with this title, Alternate TakesFind albums with this title), but the material is organized in chronological order (by session). The 7th CD adds over an hour of never before released material. All this music was recorded over a period of just over two years (January 1959 – May 1961), but it includes some of the most pivotal Jazz recordings ever. The Atlantic period is a superb document of transition for the Jazz Giant. Stylistically it presents the steady move from Bebop and Hard Bop to Free. Instrumentally it shows the shift from tenor saxophone to soprano saxophone. It also reveals the process of crystallization of Coltrane’s great classic quartet (see The Classic Quartet: Complete Impulse! Studio RecordingsFind albums with this title), whereas by October of 1960 three quarters of the quartet (with McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist on piano and Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist on drums) were already in place and only the bassist Jimmy GarrisonFind albums by this artist was to join soon after. Two of the sessions present here are collaborations with other co-credited Jazz Giants: “Bags & Trane” with the great vibraphonist Milt JacksonFind albums by this artist and “The Avant-Garde” with legendary trumpeter Don CherryFind albums by this artist. The music is of course divine – absolutely nothing I can say about it would ever come close to the experience of actually listening to it. This music influenced every Jazz musician and Jazz lover on earth and left a mark on contemporary music, which has no equals to this day. It also shows Coltrane as a great composer for the first time, with some of his greatest melodies like “Giant Steps” and “Naima”. His interpretation of “My Favorite Things” is of course probably the most commonly known Jazz anthem ever. This sublime music is an integral part of Art’s cannon and an everlasting evidence of human (or perhaps super-human) genius. Absolutely essential!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 7 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN COLTRANE / ERIC DOLPHY ~ EVENINGS AT THE VILLAGE GATE
IMPULSE! 602455514189 (Barcode: 602455514189) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1961 Released: 2023
This is an archival live album by the American Jazz saxophonist / composer John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, recorded with his classic quartet, with pianist McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist, bassist Reggie WorkmanFind albums by this artist (or Art DavisFind albums by this artist) and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist, which is expanded here to a quintet with the addition of flautist / saxophonist Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist. The music, recorded in August 1961 during Coltrane’s residency at the NY Village Gate club, disappeared and then was rediscovered recently, offers five lengthy tracks, two of which are Coltrane originals, one is by Benny Carter composition, one is a traditional song and one is a standard.
The music is everything one might expect from Coltrane, Dolphy and the rest of the team, full of absolutely stellar performances, with expanded soloing and brilliant dynamics, which sets the mold for early Free Jazz. In comparison to the music recorded by Coltrane at the Village Vanguard, just three months later, which would be way more Free oriented, the music herein is still pretty much melody based. The comparison clearly shows Coltrane’s rapid progression towards the Avant-Garde abstract and Improvised Music, which would engulf his personality in the last few years of his life.
The sound quality of this material is very problematic and for music lovers, who are also obsessed with sound quality, most of what can be heard here will probably be very difficult to swallow. The sound is dominated by the boomy drums, which are way up in the mix, and the overall muddy sound, with the piano mostly inaudible and the saxophones sounding like recorded next door. But all things considered, this is John Coltrane and Eric Dolphy we are talking about, and every note recorded by them is Holy Grail as far as Jazz lovers are concerned, so sound quality aside, this is Godly music after all.
Overall, this album is as important as every other live album by Coltrane with or without Dolphy, and despite problematic sound quality offers exhilarating early Free Jazz by the Masters of the genre. No matter how many live recordings by Coltrane will pop up in the future, they are all an ultimate Jazz experiences, especially since they are almost the last evidence of Jazz existing in the USA.
| | Updated: 08/07/2024Posted: 06/01/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOE FARRELL ~ ORIGINAL ALBUM CLASSICS
SONY 888750636829 (Barcode: 888750636829) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 - 1975 Released: 2015
This Box Set collects five of the six albums recorded by brilliant American flautist / saxophonist / composer Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist and released between 1970 and 1975 on the legendary CTIFind albums on this label Records label. They are: his debut as a leader and first album "Joe Farrell QuartetFind albums with this title", the second "OutbackFind albums with this title", the fourth "Penny ArcadeFind albums with this title", the fifth "Upon This RockFind albums with this title" and the sixth "Canned FunkFind albums with this title". His third album "Moon GermsFind albums with this title" was separately reissued on CD in 2001 by SonyFind albums on this label. Farrell joined the first incarnation of Return To ForeverFind albums by this artist in 1972 and took part in the recording of their first two legendary albums. The music presented on these five albums falls quite neatly into two separate categories: the first two albums are complex modern Jazz / Jazz-Rock Fusion and even include some Free Form moments, whereas the next three albums are Groove / Funk oriented.
The first album ("Joe Farrell Quartet") is especially noteworthy, as it is one of the most important and beautiful documents of the era. Farrell´s quartet, which also included pianist Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Bassist Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist (all from Miles DavisFind albums by this artist electric band) is augmented by the presence of guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist on two tracks, turning the resulting quintet into a mighty power of Nature. It is worthwhile to compare these tracks with McLaughlin´s debut album "ExtrapolationFind albums with this title" or the Jack BruceFind albums by this artist album "Things We LikeFind albums with this title", which also features McLaughlin. Together these three a.m. albums contain some of the most important and powerful music ever made.
The second album places Farrell alongside Corea again, but this time with bassist Buster WilliamsFind albums by this artist and legendary drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist, with whom Farrell recorded a series of superb albums for the Blue NoteFind albums on this label label between 1968 and 1971. It presents superb modern Jazz and Fusion, played by Masters of the trade. Together with the third album ("Moon Germs"), which is not present in this Box Set, which features Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist on piano, Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist on bass and again Jack DeJohnette on drums, and of course his numerous recordings as a sideman, Farrell established his position as one of the leading figures on the US scene.
The remaining three albums document the transition Farrell made from modern Jazz / Fusion into Jazz-Funk, which is characterized by more emphasis on melodic content and Funk / Groove rhythmic patterns. Although many of Farrell´s fans had a hard time getting used to this new musical direction, his work in that genre was always top notch, with impeccable musicianship and wonderful compositions. He cooperated with several top players specializing in that specific area, like guitarist Joe BeckFind albums by this artist, bassist Herb BushlerFind albums by this artist and others. In retrospect these albums are classics of the genre, sound superbly fresh today and honestly had very little true competition by anybody else over the years.
Farrell, who sadly died in 1986, aged just 48, was definitely an exceptional player and composer, who contributed immensely to American Jazz by constantly searching for new way of expression, ignoring genre constrains and mainstream thinking. This Box Set is an essential listening to every Jazz / Fusion fan on this planet.
Side Note
The "Original Album SeriesFind albums with this title" by Warner Bros.Find albums on this label, the "Original Album ClassicsFind albums with this title" by SonyFind albums on this label, the "5 Original AlbumsFind albums with this title" by UniversalFind albums on this label, the Box Sets by RhinoFind albums on this label and other similar releases are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard for the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires as to treat our Cultural Legacy with respect and loyalty.
The Box Sets produced under these monikers have no discographical information whatsoever about the lineups, musician names, composers, lyricists, dates and places of recording, original release data and even basic copyright data (the last is strictly illegal BTW). Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, they are often edited and information (which would be in most cases too small to be readable) is removed. Most importantly these Box Sets don't include any booklet offering a historical background and perspective about the Artists and the Music, which are extremely important and vital to the preservation of our Culture and passing the knowledge to the next generations.
In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap. Considering the fact how many times this music has been sold over and over again by the labels, this is a crying shame!
| | Updated: 05/04/2024Posted: | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ELVIN JONES / JAZZ MACHINE ~ REMEMBRANCE
MPS 4029759097242 (Barcode: 4029759097242) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of a little known album by legendary American drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist and his quintet called Jazz MachineFind albums by this artist, which included saxophonists Pat LaBarberaFind albums by this artist and Michael StuartFind albums by this artist, guitarist Roland PrinceFind albums by this artist and bassist Andy McCloud IIIFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in Germany for the MPSFind albums on this label label and produced by Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. It presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by the quintet members (four by LaBarbera and one each by Stuart and McCloud) and one comes from outside the quintet.
The music is modern Jazz, quite straightforward but excellently played by these gifted musicians. The double saxophone front line offers plenty of fine soloing, interchangeably with the guitar solos, and the rhythm section works like clockwork, which is hardly surprising with Jones at the helm.
Overall this is a solid mainstream offering, with excellent original compositions and a good modern Jazz feel, which should make all Jazz listeners happy. LaBarbera is obviously a very gifted composer and saxophonist and his contributions here are truly exemplary. His solos often move into a much more ambitious territory, touching upon Free Jazz.
This forgotten little gem is definitely worth being discovered!
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: 22/05/2016 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ A JAZZ TUNE I HOPE
MPS 602517602359 (Barcode: 602517602359) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist and American rhythm section: bassist Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions, seven by Mangelsdorff and one by Jones. Three of the tracks are duos, one each with all the three members of the quartet. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and the booklet includes his original liner notes.
The music is stunningly brilliant and presents not only Mangelsdorff’s unique virtuosity, but also his sublime skills as a composer and his phenomenal ability to make contact with other musicians. In fact, he played with all these three musicians earlier on, but never together as a quartet. The three duos are beautiful examples of the “Art of the Duo” phenomenon, in which Mangelsdorff excelled throughout his career.
The album is one of several outstanding recordings Mangelsdorff made for MPS, all of which are milestones of European Jazz, and surely also are some of the most important examples of the role of trombone in Jazz, of which he was the greatest Master ever, and who revolutionized its role in modern Jazz, breaking all the limitations of the instrument.
Overall, this is a sublime example of the European Jazz achievements, which expanded the genre beyond its original boundaries and took it to new artistic levels, outgrowing the tradition beyond the imagination. A true gem deserving an honorable place in every serious Jazz record collection!
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: 10/03/2025Posted: 10/03/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ AND HIS FRIENDS
MPS 044006737522 (Barcode: 044006737522) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2003
German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist was one of the Father figures of the German and then European jazz for decades. Since the late 1940’s he and his older brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist led numerous ensembles, always on the vanguard of the ever-changing jazz scene.
He was one of the greatest trombone players in the history and single-handedly changed the status of this instrument from a background / support role to the front line position, proving that when in hands of a virtuoso player the trombone can be as fascinating any other instrument. By the end of the 1960’s Mangelsdorff gradually moved towards free jazz and concentrated on playing in intimate settings like the duo and later even on completely solo performances. His revolutionary solo trombone album “Trombirds” (recorded 1971) was the first solo trombone album. Albert Mangelsdorff died in 2005 at the age of 77, leaving a tremendous legacy of recorded music, as revolutionary and groundbreaking as one can only expect from a jazz Master.
This album, recorded between 1967 and 1969, presents the early Mangelsdorff duo recordings with some of the most important jazz musicians of the period: Don CherryFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist (drums), Karl BergerFind albums by this artist (vibraphone), Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist (guitar), Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist (alto sax) and Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist (piano). Each and every one of these duo performances is completely different and yet they all create a cohesive musical vision of a genius. Not for a casual jazz listener, but a delight for connoisseurs with a refined jazz ear.
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: 28/05/2025Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ AND HIS FRIENDS
MPS 4029759119616 (Barcode: 4029759119616) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1967 - 1969 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the MPSFind albums on this label album by legendary German Jazz trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist. It presents six improvised duos, each with another Jazz player, which are: Americans - trumpeter Don CherryFind albums by this artist, drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist, Hungarian born resident in US guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist and German born resident in US vibraphonist Karl BergerFind albums by this artist and finally German pianist Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist. Four of the compositions are credited to the members of the duo performing them and two are credited to Mangelsdorff.
Mangelsdorff was one of the Father figures of the German and then European jazz for decades. Since the late 1940’s he and his older brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist led numerous ensembles, always on the vanguard of the ever-changing Jazz scene. He was one of the greatest trombone players in the history and single-handedly changed the status of this instrument from a background / support role to the front line position, proving that when in hands of a virtuoso player the trombone can be as fascinating any other instrument.
By the end of the 1960’s Mangelsdorff gradually moved towards Free Jazz and concentrated on playing in intimate settings like the duo and later even on completely solo performances. His revolutionary solo trombone album “TrombirdsFind albums with this title” (recorded 1972) was the first solo trombone album. Albert Mangelsdorff died in 2005 at the age of 77, leaving a tremendous legacy of recorded music, as revolutionary and groundbreaking as one can only expect from a true Jazz Master.
This album, recorded between 1967 and 1969, presents the early Mangelsdorff duo recordings with some of the most important Jazz musicians of the period. Each and every one of these duo performances is completely different and yet they all create a cohesive musical vision of a genius. Not for a casual Jazz listener, but a delight for connoisseurs with a refined Jazz ear, this album also brought forth the "Art of the Duo" idiom, often used to describe European Jazz duo recordings of the highest class.
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: 02/04/2025Posted: 22/02/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ THREE ORIGINALS
MPS 731451921322 (Barcode: 731451921322) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 1993
This is a reissue / remaster of three iconic albums by the Godfather of modern German Jazz, trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist. All three albums were recorded for and released by the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label and all were produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. I had the pleasure to be in the studio where the first album was recorded and at the Berlin Jazz Days venue where the second album was recorded. All three albums were recorded in a trio setting: trombone / bass / drums.
The albums are:
“The Wide PointFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1975 with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and American drummer Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist.
“Trilogue - Live!Find albums with this title”, recorded in 1976 with American bassist Jaco PastoriusFind albums by this artist and drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist.
“Albert Live In MontreuxFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1980 with French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and American drummer Ronald Shannon JacksonFind albums by this artist.
The music is absolutely stellar from start to finish and Mangelsdorff’s exceptional talent as musician, improviser and innovator is fully exposed here. Mangelsdorff proved that there are no limits to any instrument, only to human imagination. These intimate trios are a great display of Free Jazz / Improvised Music at their absolute best, not to mention the exposure of the trombone as a solo instrument.
Mangelsdorff’s contribution to the development of modern German / European Jazz was absolutely crucial at the early post WWII years, with an independent view of the Jazz Artform, quite separate from the American tradition. The privilege of meeting Albert Mangelsdorff and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and spending time with them is a worm memory, which I cherish to this day.
Overall, this is a brilliant package of three great albums on 2 CD, which holds some great performances by superb musicians, all of which, except Danielsson, are no longer with us. This music is an absolute must an any comprehensive collection of modern European Jazz and Improvised Music.
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: 07/04/2023 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | WYNTON MARSALIS ~ THICK IN THE SOUTH: SOUL GESTURES IN SOUTHERN BLUE VOL. 1
WOUNDED BIRD 7977 (Barcode: 664140797727) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1991 Released: 2008
Just ten years after he first appeared on the scene as a solo artist bandleader, trumpeter / composer / bandleader Wynton MarsalisFind albums by this artist could present a résumé, which was unprecedented in Jazz history and was by far more impressive than many lifetime achievements by his peers. Twenty albums with Jazz and Classical Music recordings, countless performances around the world, numerous compositions, prizes and awards, all these wrapped up and commercialized by an intensive PR campaign by his record label ColumbiaFind albums on this label, presented a renaissance musician, a role model and a superstar. Marsalis was just 30 years old and his ego and probably his conscience drove him incessantly to prove himself worthy of this superstar status. His musical projects became ever more complex and encompassing and Columbia indulged him in view of his success. The album trilogy, entitled "Soul Gestures In Southern BlueFind albums with this title", was Marsalis´ final project about the sources of Jazz, New Orleans Blues / Jazz connections and the emergence of modern Jazz from this primeval genealogy. For this, the first of the three albums, Marsalis formed an ad-hoc quintet by inviting legendary saxophonist Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist to play with him, supported by his regular rhythm session comprising of pianist Marcus RobertsFind albums by this artist, bassist Robert HurstFind albums by this artist and drummer Jeff WattsFind albums by this artist. On a couple of tracks Watts was replaced by another Jazz legend Elvin JonesFind albums by this artist. The quintet performs five Marsalis´ compositions, which are designed to allow for extensive improvisations and interplay between the players. The music is intense and dramatic, revealing the composer´s tendency to intensify his music towards a more "chamber" direction, with layers of sound intertwined into the harmonic structure. Marsalis, Henderson and Roberts play some brilliant solos throughout the album and the overall level of musicianship is simply breathtaking. Surprisingly (or may be not) the trilogy received "icy" reviews, again accusing Marsalis of imitating or being overly influenced by Miles Davis in this project. In my view Marsalis at this point was completely cured from the Miles complex and if these recordings have anything to do with Miles, they are a loving tribute to the Masters legacy, not an imitation. Brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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