Record Reviews
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  | AGA TAURA CONFAB / ENRICO RAVA ~ EL CONVIDADO
SVART / MONDO 381 (Barcode: 6430065589419) ~ ARGENTINA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2019
In June of 1975 Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist recorded his debut album for the prestigious German ECMFind albums on this label label, entitled "The Pilgrim And The StarsFind albums with this title", which upon its release later that year kick-started his solo career. The album was recorded with an international lineup of ECM stable musicians: American guitarists John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist (who also released his ECM debut the same year) and a marvelous Scandinavian rhythm section consisting of Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist.
A trumpet virtuoso and an exceptionally gifted composer, Rava established himself on the international scene during the entire decade earlier, playing and recording with the elite of Avant-Garde Jazz players of that period both in Europe and in America, which included Steve LacyFind albums by this artist, Roswell RuddFind albums by this artist, Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, Don CherryFind albums by this artist, Argentinean Gato BarbieriFind albums by this artist (during his stint in Italy), Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist and others. By the early 1970s Rava embraced a more melodic approach to Jazz and started to cooperate with Fusion musicians, a path common to many of his European contemporaries. This led to his participation in the recording of the seminal Jazz-Rock opera "Escalator Over The HillFind albums with this title" by Carla BleyFind albums by this artist as well as the recording of the little known album for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label called "Katcharpari RavaFind albums with this title", where he played vis-à-vis Abercrombie and which, when first heard by ECM owner Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist, led to inviting them both to record for ECM in the first place.
What led Enrico Rava to take part in the recording of the obscure album you are holding in your hand, which took place in December of 1975 in Buenos Aires, the Capital of Argentina, you ask? Well it turns out Rava had some family in Buenos Aires, which he was visiting at the time and which is hardly surprising considering the fact that most of Argentina´s inhabitants are descendants of European ethnic groups, with more than 55% of them having Italian origins. Therefore being Italian and having family in Argentina is a highly probable outcome. Quite accidently, Rava already visited Buenos Aires almost a decade earlier, when playing there with the Steve Lacy quartet. A performance by that quartet recorded in Buenos Aires in November of 1966 was released as the album "The Forest And The ZooFind albums with this title" on the ESPFind albums on this label label.
The rest of the story, however, is pure Jazz "improvisation". Upon learning that Rava is in town, local Jazz aficionados swiftly decided to size the day and hook him up with local musician and record an album. It is difficult to know today if Rava and the Argentineans realized that he was already under ECM contract and they needed to ask Eicher to give them permission to make this recording, which was highly unlikely he would. But considering South American attitude towards rules and regulations nobody probably cared too much about it, which of course in retrospect should make us thankful.
The team selected to accompany Rava, named as "Aga Taura ConfabFind albums by this artist", included three Argentinean Jazz musicians: pianist Fernando GelbardFind albums by this artist, bassist Adalberto CevascoFind albums by this artist and drummer Nestor AstaritaFind albums by this artist and an Argentinean Folk percussionist Farias GómezFind albums by this artist, who also contributed vocalese parts. Although less experienced and with no international exposure at the time, they stood their ground formidably and performed alongside Rava without any inferiority complex. Of the five tunes on the album, four are performed by the quintet, where Gelbard plays the Fender Rhodes electric piano, and one is a duet consisting of Rava and Gelbard, who plays acoustic piano. Not surprisingly Rava´s performances are the absolute pinnacle of the session, encompassing different styles and approaches moving between melodic lyricism and Free Form explorations. He knowingly pays tribute to his idols: Miles Davis and Chet Baker, but avoids copying any explicit phrasing and crafts his distinctly own voice.
The spontaneous recording session lasted for a few hours, just long enough to capture five tracks totaling in about forty two minutes of music. The sound quality of the recording turned out to be better than one might expect, with clear, crispy tone and excellent separation, which suited the music perfectly. The music includes a Rava original, which appears only on this album, a standard, a composition by the Brazilian composer João DonatoFind albums by this artist, a composition by Argentinean saxophonist / composer Horacio BorraroFind albums by this artist and finally a composition by the quintet´s percussionist Farias Gómez – a mixed bag which offers a strong World Music influence and plenty of opportunities for the musicians to show their chops.
In retrospect this is definitely a piece of music that deserves to be revisited, not only for nostalgic reasons, but primarily as a historical document of the period, as well as proof of the fact that music knows no boundaries. Due to its rarity the original LP release is a highly sought after collectors item to Jazz aficionados all over the world, not only connoisseurs of Enrico Rava, but also enthusiasts of early Jazz-World Fusion.
Side Note
The above are my liner notes included on this album's artwork.
I am honored when asked by the Artists to write liner notes for their albums, always hoping that my words reflect the true spirit of the music. This is also a symbol of our mutual respect and friendship developed over the years.
The same is also true when Record Labels ask me to write liner notes for their releases, mostly in the case of reissues of archival albums, which is a symbol of their appreciation of my knowledge and historical perspective and my recognition of their dedication to the preservation of the history of recorded music and the effort to keep human Culture and Aesthetics alive.
| | Updated: 22/05/2020Posted: 22/05/2020 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ 20TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
KONNEX 5078 (Barcode: 718751297425) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1996 Released: 1997
This is a live recording by the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a collective of European Jazz musicians run by German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist since 1976, which included in its ranks the absolute crème de la crème of instrumentalists, like German saxophonists Ernst-Ludwig PetrowskyFind albums by this artist and Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Dutch trumpeter Jarmo HoogendijkFind albums by this artist, Danish trumpeter Allan BotschinskyFind albums by this artist, German trumpeter Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, Dutch pianist Rob van den BroeckFind albums by this artist and British drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. For the 20th anniversary Tour the nonet was expanded by nine additional musicians: American (resident in Europe) saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, Italian trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, German trombonist Conrad BauerFind albums by this artist, Czech flautist Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist, German trumpeter Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist, Hungarian saxophonist Tony LakatosFind albums by this artist and German clarinetist Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist. Just reading these names should make any Jazz enthusiast dizzy, and I have had the pleasure to know all of them and attend this gig. The album presents just four lengthy tracks, featuring a long series of dazzling solos.
The music is kept in the form of a typical at the time European Big Band, which took a basic melodic theme and expended it, allowing many individual solos as well as collective improvisation, which of course was but a breeze for these superb musicians, who could find themselves at any musical environment with ease and elegance, and who respected each other immensely at all time. What could have developed into a cacophonic catastrophe, turned out to be a beautiful, completely well behaved display of Modern Jazz, which inspired all the musicians and the audience alike.
Sadly, such meetings of musicians of this scale are hardly possible any more, with the constantly diminishing public support for music in Europe and the decline of the appreciation of Art and Culture and a constant race after basic survival, which many of today’s musicians experience at all time. I have been lucky to live through the 1970s / 1980s / and to some extent 1990s, where public financial support enabled many musical (and other artistic) happenings, like the one captured on this album.
Overall, this is a brilliant and quite unique album, which presents an all-star (although nobody felt like a star) Jazz gathering of sublime talent, which produced heavenly music, captured herein. O tempora, o mores! – those were the days and “to se ne vrati…”
| | Updated: 17/04/2025Posted: 17/04/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ROBIN KENYATTA ~ TERRA NOVA
WOUNDED BIRD 1644 (Barcode: 664140164420) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2008
American saxophonist / flautist / composer Robin KenyattaFind albums by this artist first appeared on the Free Jazz scene in the mid-1960s playing as a sideman with such distinguished musicians as Bill DixonFind albums by this artist, Andrew HillFind albums by this artist and others. By the 1970s Kenyatta changed his musical direction and joined the Jazz-Rock and Funk movements, which were thriving at the time. He recorded a series of Jazz-Rock / Funk albums for the Atlantic label, of which this was the second. Supported by a fantastic crew of musicians, which included drummer Ray LucasFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist and many others, Kenyatta continues the direction set by his previous album, adding more World Music and especially Caribbean influences, manages to create a unique piece of music, which includes a rare combination of Funk, Jazz-Rock, World Music. His saxophone and flute work is featured extensively, and is the highlight of the album. This little known gem is definitely worth to be rediscovered by people who missed it at the time, as it includes loads of memorable music. Check it out!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ NEW YORK DAYS
ECM 2064 (Barcode: 602517727151) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009
Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist has been one of the leaders of European Jazz since several decades and his impressive and extensive recorded legacy is a source of inspiration and musical excellence. This album, recorded in NY, presents a set of new original compositions by Rava and was recorded with brilliant Italian pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist and American musicians: saxophonist Mark TurnerFind albums by this artist, bassist Larry GrenadierFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul MotianFind albums by this artist. Full of lyricism and typical European melodic frivolity, the album does not break any new ground, but is, as always in the case of Rava, a deeply aesthetic and uplifting listening experience. The music is somewhat minimalist and relaxed, but shouldn´t be mistaken as lifeless; it simply requires more attentive listening and a lot of experience to find and enjoy the tricks of the trade. A beautiful album, wholeheartedly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ ON THE DANCE FLOOR
ECM 2293 (Barcode: 602537066544) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2012
A few months ago I received an album, which was an attempt to create a Jazz tribute to the music of Michael JacksonFind albums by this artist. That album was pretty awful and therefore when I realized that one of my favorite Jazz heroes, veteran Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, also recorded a tribute to the same Pop icon, my initial reaction was of course that of anxiety. It was a relief to find out that this time things worked out quite differently.
This album presents a live recording of a small Big Band (twelve musicians) led by Rava, which performs nine songs, eight of which are associated with (and seven written by) Michael Jackson, and one, which is used as an interlude, is the beautiful "Smile" written my Charlie ChaplinFind albums by this artist. Trombonist Mauro OttoliniFind albums by this artist wrote all the fantastic band arrangements. Rava obviously enjoys himself immensely playing this music, as this is the "happiest" recording he made in a very long time.
Most of the arrangements are slower than the original songs and place them in quite a different perspective. The orchestration adds a certain feeling of seriousness and maturity to the usual Jackson attitude, which was all razzle-dazzle and oomph. Rava´s age and his aptitude to take things easy are obviously the reasons why he prefers to solo on the laid back passages, which does not mean that the entire album lacks energy – on the contrary some of the arrangements are very lively indeed and even Rock hard at times. But in every case Jackson´s music is thoughtfully and intelligently transferred into the Jazz idiom, preserving the original melody lines and rhythmic riffs to certain extent, but allowing for a wide range of fascinating arrangements and a plentitude of exciting solos.
Overall it is obvious that this music is all a loving tribute, rather than simply an attempt to use Jackson´s fame and tragic death as an excuse to gain popularity. Rava, at his age and status hardly needs any stunts to affirm his legendary rank. As usual, he loves to play with young musicians and feels comfortable with Rock and electric guitars screaming behind (or in front) of his trumpet. His tone and phrasing are still unparalleled and he continues to be forever young, at least so far as his music is concerned.
This is a most pleasing release, which presents yet another face of Enrico Rava, which hopefully will find him new adoring fans among the younger listeners. In any case, this is definitely an album every Rava fan should explore, sooner or later. Hats off, Maestro!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1002 (Barcode: 8024709111326) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 - 1994 Released: 2010
This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Rava needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that from the early days of the European Jazz he was always there on the frontier lines, expanding the genre and breaking new ground tirelessly. Over the years he played with the greatest Jazz players from all over the world and served as a teacher to generations of young Italian and other European Jazz musicians. His virtuosic playing and excellent compositions are always a source of great musical joy. Rava is often compared to his Polish soul brother trumpeter / composer Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist and their both share the incredible European sensitivity and sense of melody, which set them apart from their American counterparts. The musicians playing on these five albums include: saxophonist Pietro TonoloFind albums by this artist, pianist Franco D`AndreaFind albums by this artist, bassist Giovanni TommasoFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gianluigi TroveriFind albums by this artist and many others. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker 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 to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 03/07/2020Posted: | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ THE PILGRIM AND THE STARS
ECM 1063 (Barcode: 602517758544) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2008
This was the first album on the legendary ECMFind albums on this label label by Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, one of the most important representatives of modern European Jazz. A trumpet virtuoso and an exceptionally gifted composer, Rava established himself on the international scene by the late 1960s / early 1970s, playing mostly with the elite of Avant-Garde players of that period, both in Europe and in America. Later on Rava returned to more melodic approach via a stint with Fusion, a path similar to many of his young European contemporaries. This brilliant album presents him in a quartet setting with US guitarist John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The music moves freely between freely improvised passages and melodic interludes, with the overall sound close to Fusion due to Abercrombie´s electric guitar. Full of fire and passion, this is a prime example of the musical climate at the time and in retrospective the music lost absolutely nothing of its strength and beauty. Brilliant stuff!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA ~ TRIBE
ECM 2218 (Barcode: 602527669700) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2011
This album presents an elderly Master surrounded by his disciples, or in other words veteran Italian trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist with his all Italian and very young current quintet, which includes trombonist Gianluca PetrellaFind albums by this artist, pianist Giovanni GuidiFind albums by this artist, bassist Gabriele EvagelistaFind albums by this artist and drummer Fabrizio SferraFind albums by this artist. On four of the twelve tracks the quintet is expanded into a sextet with the addition of guitarist Giacomo AncillottoFind albums by this artist. In spite of the age difference, and perhaps thanks to it, the resulting music is simply fabulous. Rava´s often difficult compositions are treated with utmost respect by his fellow musicians, with each and every one on them adding his very personal touch, and the combined efforts simply work out wonderfully well. Although somewhat melancholic and somehow deliberately slow, the music manages to keep the listener involved it its development and mesmerized. Of course the level of musicianship is excellent throughout, but that by itself is often not enough to make the music worthwhile. It is the leader´s vision and his sense of direction that makes the music become a work of Art and enables the listener to enjoy it even at the most intricate moments. So regardless of what some critics may tell you, this is a remarkable album, artistically fulfilling and aesthetically satisfying, well worth your money and a source of many enjoyable moments of music. Don´t even think twice about it!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA / STEFANO BOLLANI ~ THE THIRD MAN
ECM 2020 (Barcode: 602517373228) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007
This is a wonderful duo album by the two Italian Jazz Masters, trumpeter / composer Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, two of which are alternate versions, which means there are ten compositions, five composed by Rava, one by Bollani, one co-composed by them, one by Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos JobimFind albums by this artist and two by other composers. The music is superbly recorded and despite the sonic “incompatibility” between the two acoustic instruments, the result is absolutely stunning.
Separated by more than a generation (Rava born 1939, Bollani 1972) these two musicians share the Italian lyricism and melodicism, which underlays all Italian music, Jazz included. Bollani considers Rava as his Mentor, and rightly so, as Rava’s illustrious career paved the way for the international recognition of Italian Jazz. His vast recorded legacy, which goes back as far as the late 1960s and includes dozens of albums as a leader and sideman; is one of the most impressive on the European scene. Bollani started his career playing with Rava in the mid-1990s and they recorded many albums together. In many respects this album is a retrospective and perhaps somewhat sentimental “summary” of sorts of the common path during the first decade of their work together. I have no idea what the title means, but the cover hints the famous film noir thriller Masterpiece “The Third Man”, which of course is always worth revisiting.
Although most of the music is quite melancholic and melodic, some of the tracks offer much more free-spirited improvisations, which manage to offer a melodic framework, but are less immediately accessible than the rest of the material. The entire album is a brilliant example of the “Art of the Duo” concept, which is brought to perfection by these two virtuosi, emphasizing their telepathic interplay and yeas of common experience.
Overall, this is a truly exquisite piece of music, which should be enjoyed by all true Jazz lovers, perhaps requiring a bit of effort, attention and patience, all of which will by fully rewarded. Personally, this is one of my favorite albums by these two great musicians, together or separately, and has filled my heart with comfort on many gloomy days.
| | Updated: 05/08/2024Posted: 05/08/2024 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA / PAOLO FRESU ~ SHADES OF CHET
EDEL CONTENT 4029759089025 (Barcode: 4029759089025) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1999 Released: 2013
This is a reissue of a fabulous Italian Jazz album, which pairs the country´s two leading Jazz trumpeters Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist (born 1939) and Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist (born 1961), who represent two generations of the Italian Jazz scene, playing side by side in a quintet setting, which features other Italian Jazz Masters: pianist Stefano BollaniFind albums by this artist, bassist Enzo PietropaoliFind albums by this artist and drummer Roberto GattoFind albums by this artist. Together they perform nine Jazz standards, which were associated with the repertoire performed by the great American trumpeter Chet Baker, who lived in Italy for many years.
Although the album is completely straightforward and offers no groundbreaking innovation whatsoever, it is nevertheless a perfect example of beautifully performed mainstream Jazz, which is a faultless encapsulation of everything that this music has to offer. Of course the presence of Rava and Fresu, who belong to the top class of Europe´s trumpeters, is a wonderful bonus, especially when they exchange licks playing simultaneously.
This album´s version of "My Funny Valentine", which is the song most often associated with Baker and his tragic life, is simply a timeless classic, but the entire set is remarkable. The true Jazz cognoscenti will of course enjoy the comparison between the two trumpeters, their respective technique and emotional finesse. It also shows that Europeans can play mainstream Jazz as well and often better than their colleagues from across the pond.
In short this is trumpet heaven for connoisseurs of Jazz trumpet and a superb tribute to one of the greatest Jazz trumpeters ever, but also a most entertaining piece of music of the highest quality. Warmly recommended!
| | Updated: 02/04/2016Posted: 02/04/2016 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ENRICO RAVA / OUT TO LUNCH ~ RAVA / ULLMANN / WILLERS / LILLICH / SCHAUBLE
NABEL 4632 ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1989 Released: 1989
This is a relatively little known album by Italian Jazz trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist recorded with the German quartet called Out To LunchFind albums by this artist, which comprised of saxophonist / flautist Gebhard UllmannFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andreas WillersFind albums by this artist, bassist Martin LillichFind albums by this artist and drummer Nikolaus SchaubleFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, six by Ullmann, three by Schauble, one by Willers and one co-composed by Ullmann and Willers.
The music is typical modern European Jazz, firmly based in the Jazz tradition and offering some World Music motifs and rhythms and a lot of space for individual improvisation and exploration. All the compositions are solid and quite original, offering excellent ground for the individual and group improvisation. The electric guitar sound is slightly Fusiony at times, but all in very good taste.
It is the second album by Out To Lunch and I don’t know much how they happened to involve Rava in this project, but all that is history and the music stays, being fresh and absorbing over thirty years later.
Rava’s performances are of course phenomenal, with his Middle Eastern lyricism at its peak, but the Germans all perform without a hitch, perfectly merging their output with Rava’s contributions.
Overall, this is a great piece of European Jazz history, which certainly deserves to be remembered, and since it is still available I urge everybody to grab a copy as long as they last. Satisfaction guaranteed!
| | Updated: 15/03/2022Posted: 15/03/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ARCHIE SHEPP ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1035 (Barcode: 8052405141828) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1975 - 1985 Released: 2015
This superb Box Set collects recordings by the legendary American saxophonist / composer Archie SheppFind albums by this artist on the Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label labels. It includes four albums, in various settings between a quintet and a septet, each with a different lineup. "A Sea Of FacesFind albums with this title" features trombonist Charles GreenleeFind albums by this artist, pianist Dave BurrellFind albums by this artist, bassist Cameron BrownFind albums by this artist, drummer Beaver HarrisFind albums by this artist and vocalists Bunny FoyFind albums by this artist and Rafi TahaFind albums by this artist. "Down Home New YorkFind albums with this title" features trumpeter Charles E. McGheeFind albums by this artist, pianist Ken WernerFind albums by this artist, bassist Saheb SarbibFind albums by this artist, drummer Marvin SmithFind albums by this artist and vocalist Bazzi Bartholomew GrayFind albums by this artist. "Little Red MoonFind albums with this title" features Italian trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Siegfried KesslerFind albums by this artist, bassist Wilbur LittleFind albums by this artist and drummer Clifford JarvisFind albums by this artist. Finally "California MeetingFind albums with this title" features pianist George CablesFind albums by this artist, bassist Herbie LewisFind albums by this artist, drummer Eddie MarshallFind albums by this artist and vocalist Royal BlueFind albums by this artist (on one track only). The music includes a few compositions by Shepp and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist and the rest are mostly standards.
Shepp is best known from his association with John Coltrane during his late Avant-Garde period and other recordings in the same idiom. The recordings included in this Box Set, made a decade and two decades later, find Shepp in a much more conventional musical environment, which also includes his vocal performances as well as contributions by other vocalists and early Rappers. Of course he is still a formidable instrumentalist and his soloing is exceptional. The album with Rava is an absolute blast and offers some of Rava´s best playing ever, much different from his usual recordings with Italian / European musicians.
The music is still absolutely relevant and offers a glimpse of Shepp´s later career, when he returned to traditional Jazz forms but kept exploring new territories, often playing with European musicians and recording for European record labels. This is definitely an important document of the American post Free Jazz movement.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker 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 to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 05/05/2020Posted: 05/05/2020 | CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CECIL TAYLOR ~ MUSIC FROM TWO CONTINENTS
FSR 2021/16 (Barcode: 5904441617009) ~ USA ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1984 Released: 2021
This is archival album recorded live in 1984 at the annual Jazz Jamboree festival in Warsaw. It presents an international ensemble led by American pianist / composer Cecil TaylorFind albums by this artist and ten additional players, both Americans and Europeans (hence the title), which includes Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Italian trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, German trombonist Conrad BauerFind albums by this artist, American saxophonists Jimmy LyonsFind albums by this artist and Frank Wright Jr.Find albums by this artist, Danish saxophonist John TchicaiFind albums by this artist, American bassoonist Karen LyonsFind albums by this artist, German bass clarinetist / vibraphonist Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist, American bassist William ParkerFind albums by this artist and drummer Henry MartinezFind albums by this artist. The album presents one continuous track lasting for almost sixty-two minutes.
The music is spontaneously improvised by the eleven members of the ensemble, based on directions / ideas put forward by the leader. It has little variation in tempo and intensity and offers a brilliant example of group improvisation, which in this case is performed by some of the leaders of the genre, all assembled on one stage at the same time.
There are many extensive solo fragments performed by individual musicians, supported in the background by the ensemble members, as well as solos played concurrently by several musicians, with Taylor and the rhythm section playing continuously.
For listeners not familiar with Free Jazz / Improvised Music all this might of course sound like a complete chaos, which has no meaning whatsoever, but a trained ear is able to hear both the group dynamics and the individual contributions, which are often stellar. Improvised Music requires certain “brainwaves” activity, which only some humans are equipped with.
The fact that this music was recorded in Warsaw and that Stanko was invited to take part in the concert speaks volumes about how highly Poland and Polish musicians were regarded at the time by the international scene, despite the fact that it was still deeply behind the Iron Curtain. Stanko of course proves that he is able to stand shoulder to shoulder both with the other Europeans and the Americans.
Overall, this is an important document of the genre and the Polish Jazz scene at the time. The music was of course recorded by the Polish Radio, which recorded all Jazz Jamboree concerts, and the fact that it was dug out and released by the FSRFind albums on this label label, means that those radio archives are terribly neglected.
| | Updated: 31/01/2022Posted: 31/01/2022 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | CECIL TAYLOR ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1007 (Barcode: 8024709114129) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 - 1986 Released: 2010
This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary American pianist / composer Cecil TaylorFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Taylor needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that his prolific output epitomizes the idioms of Free Jazz / improvised Music far more than any of his contemporaries. The music ranges in format from orchestra to solo piano performances and includes the legendary duets with drummer Max RoachFind albums by this artist. Other musicians playing on these four albums (one double) include: trumpeters Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist and Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Jimmy LyonsFind albums by this artist, John TchicaiFind albums by this artist and Gunter HampelFind albums by this artist, bassist William ParkerFind albums by this artist, drummer Steve McCallFind albums by this artist and others. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker 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 to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 12/04/2020Posted: | CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GIANLUIGI TROVESI ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1032 (Barcode: 8052405141378) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1978 - 2004 Released: 2014
This superb Box Set collects all the recordings by legendary Italian clarinetist / saxophonist / composer / bandleader Gianluigi TrovesiFind albums by this artist released on the Black SaintFind albums on this label, Soul NoteFind albums on this label and Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label labels (the album´s title is a bit misleading in that respect). The set includes nine albums featuring various recordings by Trovesi as a leader and sideman over a span of twenty five years made alongside the top Italian Jazz players active in the 1980s and 1990s and is therefore a superb document of the era.
Trovesi, who is today one of the pillars of modern Italian Jazz, started his career in early 1970s, playing first as a member of ensembles led by legendary Italian Jazz Godfathers like Franco CerriFind albums by this artist and Giorgio GasliniFind albums by this artist. From the mid 1970s he recorded dozens of albums as a leader, co-leader, guest and sidemen, becoming one the major forces of Italian and European Jazz. He often cooperates with other European musicians and his unique voice as an instrumentalist, as well as magnificent compositions, are classic examples of the scope and sophistication of European Jazz.
Trovesi plays modern Jazz, which often stands on the verge of Free, always challenging the boundaries of the genre, often also including World Music and contemporary Classical influences, as reflected on the albums included here. His ensembles, the most notable of which was the octet featuring two bass players, always included the absolute crème de la crème of the Italian Jazz scene, such as trumpeters Pino MinafraFind albums by this artist, Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist and Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist, pianist Guido ManusardiFind albums by this artist, drummer Furio Di CastriFind albums by this artist and numerous others.
This music is an absolute must to all European Jazz enthusiasts, and the fact that it is available again is pure joy. Trovesi is a genius composer and instrumentalist and his legacy is well worth to be preserved and studied by the new generation of Jazz musicians.
Remastered, mini-sleeved and with a great bargain price – this Box Set is an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker 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 to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 05/05/2020Posted: | CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MAL WALDRON ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE VOLUME 2
CAM JAZZ 1043 (Barcode: 8052405142528) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1985 - 2000 Released: 2016
This superb Box Set collects recordings by the American pianist / composer Mal WaldronFind albums by this artist on the Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label labels. It is the second such collection, this time dedicated to solo, duo, trio and quartet recordings, following the previous Box Set with quintet recordings. It includes eleven albums: "UpdateFind albums with this title" is a piano solo, "Sempre AmoreFind albums with this title" (*) and "CommuniqueFind albums with this title" (*) are duets with saxophonist Steve LacyFind albums by this artist, "DedicationFind albums with this title" and "Remembering MalFind albums with this title" are duets with bassist David FriesenFind albums by this artist, "Riding A ZephyrFind albums with this title" is a duet with vocalist Judi SilvanoFind albums by this artist, "Up And DownFind albums with this title" with saxophonist Chico FreemanFind albums by this artist, German bassist Ricky KnauerFind albums by this artist and Italian vocalist Tiziana GhiglioniFind albums by this artist (on two tracks only), "Sometimes I`m BlueFind albums with this title" with vocalist Kim ParkerFind albums by this artist, Swiss bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist and drummer Ed ThigpenFind albums by this artist, "Our Colline`s A TreasureFind albums with this title" with bassist Leonard JonesFind albums by this artist and drummer Sangoma EverettFind albums by this artist, "I`ll Be AroundFind albums with this title" with Ghiglioni and Italian trumpeter Enrico RavaFind albums by this artist and finally "Six Monk`s Compositions (1987)Find albums with this title" (*) with saxophonist Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist, bassist Bluell NeidlingerFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill OsborneFind albums by this artist. Most of the music is by Waldron, except for the album dedicated to the music of the great composer Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, and of course some standards.
Waldron is considered as one of the most influential and prominent American Jazz personalities and a great master of the piano. He started his career as a Bebop player but moved later also into the Avant-Garde idiom. He was also one of the first American Jazz musicians who discovered European Jazz and understood its importance. He moved to Europe in the mid-1960s, where he spent the rest of his life. He left a most impressive recorded legacy of well over a hundred albums.
The music is absolutely timeless, and offers a perfect glance at Waldron´s diversity as a composer and player. It is also a unique document of European Jazz, as most of his albums involved European musicians playing side by side with their Americans partners. For serious Jazz connoisseurs this Box Set is a pure delight and an absolute must!
The albums marked with (*) were also included in other Box Sets of this series.
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker 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 to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 20/05/2020Posted: 20/05/2020 | CD 11 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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