Record Reviews

HUMAIR / JEANNEAU / TEXIER ~ AKAGERA JMS 012 (Barcode: 3760145920126) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 1980 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of a brilliant album by the European Jazz trio, comprising of Swiss drummer / composer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist, French saxophonist / flautist / composer Francois JeanneauFind albums by this artist and drummer / composer Henri TexierFind albums by this artist. British pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by the trio members. The music is a stunning mixture of melodic themes and advanced improvisation, often bordering with Free Jazz accents, without losing the melodic ambience. All these musicians are absolute masters of their trade and all have a long and splendid recording legacy behind them. I have been closely following the French Jazz scene for years and it certainly has much to offer to European Jazz connoisseurs, due to its sophistication and Artistic level, as well as collaboration with other European musicians. I have been lucky to hear members of this trio performing live many times over the years in different musical environment, always with sublime pleasure. Overall, this is an absolutely wonderful example of European Jazz at its best, full of virtuosic performances and exquisite compositions, which deserves an honorable place in every serious Jazz collection. Great to see this music available again!

Updated: 20/06/2026Posted: 20/06/2026

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ALBERT MANGELSDORFF / FRANCOIS JEANNEAU ~ SWISS RADIO DAYS TCB 02222 (Barcode: 725095022224) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1972 - 1979 Released: 2010 This is a live archival album, which combines two sessions recorded by the Swiss Radio with a local Swiss rhythm section comprising of German (resident in Switzerland) pianist Klaus KoenigFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter FreiFind albums by this artist and drummers Peter SchmidlinFind albums by this artist or Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and guest musicians: German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist from 1972 and French saxophonist / composer Francois JeanneauFind albums by this artist from 1979. Each session presents two tracks, both composed by the guest musician. The Mangelsdorff session is completely freely improvised and magnificently portrays his abilities at the peak of his artistic abilities, with the rhythm section playing along splendidly, despite the fact that this was not their usual modus operandi. Since every second of Mangelsdorff’s performance is an absolute must to every European Jazz enthusiast, these almost forty minutes are a Holy Grail for his many enthusiasts and collectors. The Jeanneau session is shorter and somewhat more tamed, but also shows his him as a magnificent improviser, and one of the finest French Jazz musicians active on the scene since the 1970. His recording legacy offers many magnificent albums, and this rare recording from the early days of his career is an important snapshot of his career. Overall, this is a superb document of the European Jazz scene, especially important since the “Swiss Radio Days” series releases concentrated mostly on visiting American musicians, which seldom contributed interesting material.

Updated: 26/01/2025Posted: 26/01/2025

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