Record Reviews

WOLFGANG DAUNER ~ FREE ACTION PROMISING MUSIC 44105 (Barcode: 602517554993) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2008 German pianist / composer Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist was one of the most important forefathers of European Jazz. A prolific composer, bandleader and activist, his contribution to the establishment of European Jazz and its emancipation from the restrains of the American Jazz tradition is truly immense. Dauner, who in addition to his musical activities, was also a prolific painter, always looked at music as an expression of an overall aesthetic / cultural point of view, with philosophical / social and even political undercurrents. Over the years Dauner created a most impressive body of work, encompassing many quite different styles and directions, spanning straightforward (but always unique) Jazz, Jazz-Rock Fusion, Free Jazz and Improvised Music. In the mid-1970s Dauner formed the revolutionary United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist – a multi-national group of superb European players, which brought Jazz-Rock Fusion to a level of absolute Art. He also co-founded the independent MoodFind albums on this label Records label, which for many years documented some of the most important and unconventional European music (mostly Jazz). His early recordings on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label (as leader and sideman) are in retrospect perhaps the most important from the historical point of view, as they demonstrate the boldness, inspiration and urge to explore uncharted musical territories. Encouraged and supported by the legendary Jazz critic and resident MPS producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, Dauner could freely express his visions, regardless how bold they might be, especially at the time. For this recording Dauner formed a septet, which included some of his regular cohorts like cellist / bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and American (but living in Germany) drummer Fred BracefulFind albums by this artist. He added three excellent German young players: saxophonist Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist (who would later become one of the central figures of German Improvised Music and Free Jazz), bassist Jurgen KargFind albums by this artist and drummer / tabla player Mani NeumeierFind albums by this artist (later a member of the legendary Guru GuruFind albums by this artist group). As the last member of the septet Dauner selected the then little known French virtuoso violinist Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, who was of course destined to achieve worldwide recognition later on. The septet performs five of Dauner’s compositions, which provide a skeletal framework for group improvisations by the band members. The double bass / drums lineup allows for complex rhythmic patterns to evolve, and of course there is plenty of space for individual solo spots, but overall the music is mostly a group effort, Dauner uses “prepared piano” (i.e. differently tuned one) to achieve some novel sound approach. In retrospect this is a superb document of the birth of European Jazz, which takes the Free Jazz idiom and pushes it (here still ever so gently) into the Improvised Music realm. The music lost none of its power and inspiration over the years and for a “first time” listener should be quite an ear opener. Kudos to Promising MusicFind albums on this label for the excellent remaster and elegant packaging of the reissue. A must!

Updated: 31/01/2016Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling 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

EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2006 KONNEX 5225 (Barcode: 4017867031876) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2009 The European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist is a "cooperative" group of top European Jazz musicians, which tours and records together for the last 30 years. Over time, an incredible parade of talent passed through the ranks of this group, each of the musicians being a leader and acknowledged instrumentalist / composer of the highest statue. The list of the players on this album, for example, is truly scary for anyone familiar with European Jazz: Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist (the only non-European by birth but very much so by spirit) on saxophone, Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist on flute, Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist and Pino MinafraFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist on piano, Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist on bass, and Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist on drums. These brilliant musicians perform a set of no less brilliant compositions, with predictably brilliant arrangements – what can I say, the album is just one nasty piece of superb music, kicking badly from start to finish. Although basically the performances are by a big band, in truth the individual soloist are given plenty of opportunity to stretch out, backed up only by the rhythm section, which makes this album likeable even for people, who have a slight adversity to big band albums (God only knows why). Regardless of ones specific likes and dislikes might be, this is a kind of recording that any true Jazz fan can not ignore. The subtle musical trickery, known only by the European Jazzers, is so obvious here, that I´d recommend this album to every American big band fan, to learn what really can be achieved with such potent "instrument". Brilliant! (Oh yes, I already said so…).

Updated: 18/07/2020Posted:

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EUROPEAN JAZZ ENSEMBLE ~ MEETS THE KHAN FAMILY M.A MUSIC 807 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992 This is a live album by the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a collective of Jazz musicians led by German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist (who died in 2018), which included in its various configurations since 1976 the absolute crème de la crème of European Jazz representatives. The lineup on this album comprises, in addition to Haurand, of trumpeters Thomas HebererFind albums by this artist, Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist and Rainer WinterschladenFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ernst-Ludwig PetrowskyFind albums by this artist, Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, pianists Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and Rob van den BroeckFind albums by this artist, vocalist Uschi BruningFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist (of the twelve musicians two are British, one Belgian and one Dutch, and the rest are Germans). On this album they invited three Indian musicians, members of the extended Khan family: Ustad Zamir Ahmed KhanFind albums by this artist on sitar, Irshad Hussain KhanFind albums by this artist on tabla and Ustad Munir KhanFind albums by this artist on sarangi. The album presents four tracks, two lasing over fifteen minutes and two over twenty minutes, one each composed by Danish trumpeter Allan BotschinskyFind albums by this artist (a former member of the ensemble), Sultzmann, Kuhn and Schoof. The music is a wonderful example of Jazz-World Fusion, with the entire ensemble and the guests offer a group improvisation based on pre-composed themes, but expanding the music way beyond the original melodies, as expected. The ensemble plays some parts in a Big Band manner, but most of the time the music involves group improvisations between the ensemble members and the guests, often flying far and away from the initial source. Since all the musicians on this album are superb instrumentalists, the level of the performances is nothing short of stunning. All the albums by this ensemble are excellent documents of the diversity and complexity of the European scene, and here they are able to create new cross-genre musical explorations. Overall, this is a very interesting and rather unique Jazz-World Music album, which presents a meeting between Big Band Jazz and Indian traditional music, which usually is performed in a much more intimate lineup. These musicians prove again that music has no stylistic borders, and gifted musicians are able to communicate within any musical environment without any obstacles. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 17/08/2024Posted: 16/08/2024

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ROLF KUHN GROUP ~ TOTAL SPACE MPS 602527224794 (Barcode: 602527224794) ~ GERMANY ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 Released: 2009 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by the German clarinetists / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded with an octet, which includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like his younger brother pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist, trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, Danish bassist Bo StiefFind albums by this artist, Swiss drummer Daniel HumairFind albums by this artist and Danish drummer Kasper WindingFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, four composed by Rolf Kuhn and one by Mangelsdorff. The album is an outstanding example of European Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion and with the powerful sound created by the octet with the double drums and the brass instruments overdubbed to create what Rolf Kuhn describes as a “Brass Band”, the entire album offers an orchestral effect, full of blood-chilling and absolutely unique results, in many ways probably exposing the very peak of the Fusion creativity, which are amongst the most interesting ever recorded. This album is in fact a close companion to the other Rolf Kuhn orchestral Fusion album “Symphonic SwampfireFind albums with this title”. The music is based on strong melodic themes, wonderfully arranged for the orchestral environment, multilayered and even multi-rhythmic, emphasizing the complex sound of the orchestra as a complete music-making unit, rather than mostly just accompanying the soloists. By the time this music was recorded, European Jazz was heavily involved with Fusion, which is superbly incorporated within the orchestral sound, with electric guitar and keyboards being an integral part of the ambience. For guitar lovers, this is one of the finest albums featuring the brilliant guitar artistry of Catherine, as well as the electric side of Joachim Kuhn. Rolf Kuhn emerges here as a brilliant composer and arranger of orchestral Jazz, as well as a musician able to develop in time and embrace new trends and expand his horizons constantly, which characterized him for his entire lifetime, which I was lucky to follow for many years during our friendship. Overall, this is one of the most interesting orchestral Jazz albums in European Jazz, despite the fact that it is only known by relatively very few Jazz listeners. I have owned a copy since day one and listened to this album countless times in the almost fifty years since it was released, and each and every time I managed to discover something new in the music. I can only hope some more listeners will discover it one day, although admittedly it is quite difficult to find a copy. 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: 31/07/2024Posted: 31/07/2024

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALBERT MANGELSDORFF QUINTET ~ BIRDS OF UNDERGROUND MPS 602517175945 (Barcode: 602517175945) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1972 Released: 2008 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his all German quintet with saxophonists Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist and Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist (who also plays flute), bassist Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter GigerFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, three of which last for over ten minutes, two composed by Mangelsdorff and two co-composed by all five musicians. The music presents some of the finest German / European Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which by the time this music was recorded, was in full bloom, expanding the American Free Jazz of the earlier decade into a coherent, fully developed and aesthetically solidified artistic expression. Despite the total Freedom, enjoyed by the musicians, the music is perfectly structured and logically developed, sometimes based on a briefly stated theme, and at other times springing into the open as if from nowhere. All five musicians are true masters of their respective instruments, which results in breathtaking performances by them all. Most of the music is in a form of group improvisations, rather than soloing accompanied by the rest of the quintet, which results in a situation when all five musicians are soloing at the same time, which of course might be more difficult to follow, but is extremely potent musically. Mangelsdorff’s performances on this album are absolutely awe striking and his early 1970s output remains his most productive and revolutionary period, including his first solo trombone recording “TrombirdsFind albums with this title”, recorded and released shortly before this album, which remains one of the most iconic trombone albums in all time. Overall, this is an absolute gem of an album which aged beautifully with time and remains as one of the finest European Free Jazz recording in all time. Very few, if any, more impressive Free Jazz albums were recorded since, and it remains a brilliant reminder of Mangelsdorff’s genius and his pivotal role in European Jazz, as well as the greatest trombone virtuoso ever. Beyond essential! 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: 15/11/2024Posted: 15/11/2024

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.33 POLSKIE RADIO 2182 (Barcode: 5907812241223) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 Released: 2021 This is the thirty-third installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The tracks presented here were recorded live in October 1967 during the tenth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event. The first five tracks present the American multi-reed player Roland KirkFind albums by this artist and his quartet, which included pianist Ron BurtonFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Rahn BurtonFind albums by this artist), bassist Steve NovoselFind albums by this artist and drummer Jimmy HoppsFind albums by this artist. The quartet performs two original compositions by Kirk and three standards, all pretty standard American Bebop, which at the time was already considered somewhat passé in comparison to the work done by the great American Jazz innovators headed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, who died just a few months before these tracks were recorded. The next track presents the quintet led by great Polish pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist with saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist and Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Sergiusz PerkowskiFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Sergiusz Piotrowski). The quintet performs one lengthy version of an original composition by Trzaskowski, clearly showing that already at that time Polish Jazz was as good as anything originating across the pond and frankly the composition is light-years ahead of Bebop, somewhat on the thin line between composed and improvised music. The next two tracks present the German quintet led by trumpeter Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist with saxophonist Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist, pianist Alexander von SchlippenbachFind albums by this artist, bassist Buschi NiebergallFind albums by this artist and drummer Jaki LiebezeitFind albums by this artist (mistakenly listed as Liebezeit Jaki). The quintet performs two lengthy medleys, each of two compositions, all original by the members of the quintet. The music is a superb example of early European Free Jazz, which was exploding at the time across Europe, with Germany being one of the epicenters of the new direction. The music is absolutely sensational and sounds today as fresh as it was at the time of the recording, perfectly illustrating the notion that Free Jazz can make sense and be aesthetically viable. It also sadly proves that the genre did not move an inch ahead in the fifty-four years that passed since. The series, which was brought back to life after three years of absence, offers an upgraded packaging, which finally offers liner notes, albeit those could have been better, considering the importance of this music. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. Overall this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan should consider as a must.

Updated: 23/07/2021Posted: 23/07/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

WUNSCH / STRAUCH SEXTET ~ JOANA`S WALTZ JAZZ`N`ARTS 3205 (Barcode: 4260089370036) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005 This is an album by German Jazz sextet co-led by pianist / composer Frank WunschFind albums by this artist and drummer Oliver StrauchFind albums by this artist, which also includes British trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and German saxophonists Gerd DudekFind albums by this artist and August Wilhelm ScheerFind albums by this artist and bassist Paul G. UrlichFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, four of which are original compositions by Wunsch, three by Wheeler and two are standards. The album finds Wheeler among fellow German musicians, in one of several such encounters. He was always open and ready to participate in projects involving international lineups and in retrospect is probably the British Jazz musician, who recorded more often on the European scene than anybody else, in dozens of diverse settings. This is one of many Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is a marvelous example of modern European Jazz, based on melodic, somewhat melancholic themes, in an environment that suites Wheeler’s stylistic approach ideally. Wheeler has a lot of opportunity to solo, and this album offers some of Wheeler’s typically splendid work, which never ceases to amaze. Despite the fact that this is a sextet recording, most of the times it presents one soloist supported by the rhythm section, with limited appearances by the entire brass section, which creates an intimate, relaxed climate. Overall, this is an excellent modern European Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 12/05/2023

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend