Record Reviews
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  | WOLFGANG DAUNER / ET CETERA ~ ET CETERA
LONG HAIR 071 (Barcode: 4035177000719) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008
This is an expanded reissue / remaster of the debut album by German keyboardist / composer / bandleader and one of the Godfathers of modern German and European Jazz, Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist and his quintet, called Et CeteraFind albums by this artist. It was recorded in a quintet setting with the same lineup, which recorded the album “Rischkas SoulFind albums with this title” a year earlier and included also guitarist Sigi SchwabFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist, American (resident in Germany) drummer Fred BracefulFind albums by this artist and German drummer Roland WittichFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in London and presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by Dauner and two are by Schwab. The first five tracks were released on the original album and three are previously unreleased bonus tracks from the same session. The album is accompanied by a bi-lingual (German / English) booklet with extensive background about the musicians and historical background.
Dauner / Et Cetera released the brilliant follow up album “KnirschFind albums with this title” in 1972, which featured American guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist and British drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, and which is one of Jazz-Rock Fusion absolute classics. The last album, released in 1973 yet by another lineup, was a 2LP Live recording.
The music, as expected, is absolutely brilliant, with a strong Fusiony tinge and Psychedelia, all this in addition to the Jazz and Improvised Music influences. The expanded edition lasts for just about an hour, it offers a wonderful glimpse at the German scene at the time, which was developing with an astonishing speed and variety, expanding the American Jazz tradition into previously unvisited areas. It features the leader playing organ, electric piano and flute (an instrument he will rarely play on later recordings), and Weber playing electric bass guitar, which he also used very rarely in later days. Schwab plays some amazing guitar licks, which put his in the same league as other early Fusion guitarists, like German Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, or American Larry Coryell, who would record with Dauner later on. The double drums offer a dense, complex rhythmic support, which creates a unique ambience.
Overall, this is a brilliant gem, which captures early European Fusion at its formative days, which is mostly completely unknown to contemporary listeners, but is truly worth its weight in gold. For Fusion enthusiasts, this is an absolute must, which shows the impetus of early days of the genre, and the contrast to its pitiful contemporary condition.
| | Updated: 22/05/2025Posted: 22/05/2025 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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