Record Reviews

CONRAD BAUER ~ LIVE IM VOLKERSCHLACHTDENKMAL EDEL CONTENT 4029759080565 (Barcode: 4029759080565) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1988 Released: 2012 This is a reissue (first time on CD) of the astounding album by the Avant-Garde East German trombonist / composer Conrad BauerFind albums by this artist, which was recorded live at the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig and which presents Bauer playing solo trombone and performing four original compositions he wrote. The unique sonic environment of the location, which includes a natural delay and echo, create an almost supernatural effect, similar to the famous solo recordings made inside the Taj Mahal by flautist Paul HornFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist. Bauer, an absolute virtuoso of the trombone, utilizes the magic environment to create a series of incredible sonic sculptures, which sound like absolutely nothing else in this world. His ability to create such a variety of different sounds from the seemingly limited instrument is simply miraculous and it transforms the trombone in his hands into full fledged improvising instrument by no means inferior to the other brass instruments. Bauer, who was one of the pioneering East German improvisers, recorded with many diverse ensembles, from Jazz-Rock (FezFind albums by this artist) to Improvised Music (SynopsisFind albums by this artist) and others. Following the unification of Germany Bauer continues to be a prominent member of the German Improvised Music scene. In the historic perspective this recording was made a year and a half and released less than a year before the Berlin Wall was finally dismantled, marking the end of the DDR. This means that this was one of the last Jazz albums released in the DDR. In retrospect one just can´t stop wondering how such daring and unconventional music was recorded and released by the most oppressive East European State. This is an absolute essential listening to all trombone players, trombone lovers and of course open-minded listeners who like to take risks in order to make new discoveries. Brilliant stuff! Side Note: As all the East European countries under the Socialist regime, East Germany, or DDR as it was known at the time, had only one state owned and controlled Music Company, which released most of its productions on the AmigaFind albums on this label label. Among the many Amiga releases the legendary "orange J" series was dedicated to Jazz recordings, many of which were licenses from the West, but others were original productions, mostly of Jazz made in DDR. Some of these releases, like the one described above, were absolute gems. Following the unification of Germany, the Amiga albums disappeared from the face of the earth and only in 2012 a German label reissued 15 Amiga Jazz albums on CD. They are all worth checking out!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 14/05/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

FEZ ~ FEZ EDEL CONTENT 4029759080527 (Barcode: 4029759080527) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1977 Released: 2012 This is a reissue (first time on CD) of the only album by the East German Jazz-Rock Fusion quartet FezFind albums by this artist, which comprised of trombonist Conrad BauerFind albums by this artist, pianist Hannes ZerbeFind albums by this artist, bassist Christoph NiemannFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter GroningFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, four of which were composed by Bauer and two by Zerbe. Although stylistically Fez belonged clearly to the Jazz-Rock Fusion, it was definitely one of the most unusual representatives of the genre. With trombone and acoustic piano as the lead instruments and a rocking rhythm section the group played a wonderful mixture of Rock oriented but sounding like Jazz tunes, which was completely unique and had no parallels neither in their country nor worldwide. All four members of the group were virtuosic musicians and their interplay and cooperation was always spotless. The original music was based on excellent melodic themes which were then improvised upon at length, as appropriate for Fusion. With a bit of imagination one can "hear" this music as performed by a lead guitar and electric keyboards, but the unusual instrumentation used here turns it into a one of a kind experience. The trombone, a much loved instrument in German Jazz (see the unprecedented work by Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and others) gets here a wonderful exposure as an all encompassing instrument, capable of bloodcurdling soloing way beyond anybody´s imagination. Bauer´s love of Free Jazz and Improvised Music can be spotted herein as well during some of the more ecstatic displays of his talents. But the three Fez members alongside Bauer also contribute some topnotch moments: Zerbe plays Funky Boogie-woogie passages, which are pure gold; Niemann plays great groves on the electric bass and Groning skillfully adds a series of polyrhythmic barrages, which add a framework to the entire proceedings. In retrospect this music still sounds incredibly fresh and innovative, regardless of the passing time. It is still so unique that it deserves to be taught at music schools as an example of a triumph of mind over body, which Bauer keeps displaying here. The fact that it is available again is a joyful opportunity to be re-discovered by the younger generation of listeners. Side Note: As all the East European countries under the Socialist regime, East Germany, or DDR as it was known at the time, had only one state owned and controlled Music Company, which released most of its productions on the AmigaFind albums on this label label. Among the many Amiga releases the legendary "orange J" series was dedicated to Jazz recordings, many of which were licenses from the West, but others were original productions, mostly of Jazz made in DDR. Some of these releases, like the one described above, were absolute gems. Following the unification of Germany, the Amiga albums disappeared from the face of the earth and only in 2012 a German label reissued 15 Amiga Jazz albums on CD. They are all worth checking out!

Updated: 11/05/2016Posted: 19/03/2016

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend