Record Reviews

ROBERT BACHNER / HELMAR HILL ~ EIN FEINER ZUG ATS 0644 (Barcode: 9005216006441) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2007 This is the debut album by the duo comprising of Austrian Jazz musicians: trombonist / composer Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Helmar HillFind albums by this artist. The album presents six (one being a three-part concerto for trombone and piano) original compositions, three each by the duo members. Bachner and Hill, who are among the busiest players on the local scene, are both members of the splendid Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but also record with their own ensembles as well as play in many other outfits. This album beautifully emphasizes their abilities both as talented composers and superb instrumentalists, presenting a masterpiece recording in the "Art of the Duo" Jazz idiom, which always was one of my favorite Jazz facets. It is intimate and demanding, showing perfectly the interplay and communication between the two musicians and their telepathic coordination, and allowing a proper display of their individual chops, which are spectacular indeed. The compositions are all wonderfully melodic, exhibiting the typical European melancholy, especially so in the case of the concerto composed by Hill, which combines several musical themes and an almost Classical compositional approach. This album is a perfect example of the "less is more" principle, which albeit its seemingly limited instrumental possibilities proves that two great musicians can be no less effective than a much larger ensemble. The elegance, finesse and astounding musicianship offered by the duo attest to the strength of the European Jazz scene, which has no reason to display any inferiority complex in reference to Jazz musicians from across the pond. For European Jazz lovers who are not familiar with the Austrian scene, this album is a great introduction both to the local talents and the vitality of the music being performed there. For "Art of the Duo" enthusiasts, this is an absolute must have. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 01/02/2020Posted: 01/02/2020

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UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ BRAZILIAN WORLD MUSIC PROJECT ATS 0967 (Barcode: 9005216009671) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and including many excellent Austrian Jazz musicians like trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist, pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist and others. The UAJO albums present usually either a concept or special guest, and in this case both, as the music is dedicated to Jazz interpretations of Brazilian Music and the special guests are Brazilian drummer / composer Fernando PaivaFind albums by this artist and vocalist Verena LoipetsbergerFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, five composed by Paiva and arranged by UAJO members, four composed and arranged by UAJO members and one composed and arranged by Anna MaurerFind albums by this artist, Christian’s daughter and a gifted pianist / composer. The music, although full of familiar Latin / Brazilian rhythms and melodies, sounds quite unusual due to the Big Band arrangements and Jazz accents, which are pretty rare as far as Brazilian Jazz is concerned. The orchestra plays, as usual, brilliantly and the vocalese parts by Loipetsberger add another layer of sound, which takes the music away for the standard Brazilian Jazz. Of course Flora PurimFind albums by this artist, Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist and Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist come to mind immediately, but the European tinge is well mixed within the music and takes it apart from what the Brazilian Jazz fans are used to, which is a great fun. Overall, this is a great piece of music, which unusually combines the Latin accents with the Big Band sound, creating a surprising amalgam of European Big Band Jazz and Brazilian elements. The UAJO is definitely one of my favorite European Jazz Big Bands and their versatility and superb paying, intricate arrangements and dedication to the music are apparent here, as on all their recordings, all of which are worth exploring. Well done!

Updated: 16/09/2021Posted: 16/09/2021

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UPPER AUSTRIAN JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ CRAZY DAYS: PLAYS THE MUSIC OF ED PUDDICK ATS 0972 (Barcode: 9005216009725) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2021 Released: 2021 This is an album by the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, led by saxophonist / composer Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and including many excellent Austrian Jazz musicians like trombonist Robert BachnerFind albums by this artist, pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist and others. The UAJO albums present usually either a concept or special guest, and in this case both, as the music is dedicated to the Jazz compositions / arrangements by British Jazz composer / arranger / bandleader Ed PuddickFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions by Puddick, the last five of which are parts of a five-part suite, ominously titled “The Brexit Suite”. The music is a wonderful example of contemporary European Big Band Jazz, full of brilliant compositions dazzlingly executed by the UAJO conducted by Puddick, who managed to travel to Austria from the UK amidst the crazy time dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Brexit crisis. Puddick, who studied with such great Big Band Masters as British Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and Austrian Hans KollerFind albums by this artist, continues the European tradition, which calls for complex multilayered and cross-genre compositions and ensemble performances, and the UAJO is just the perfect partner in crime to deliver Puddick’s compositions in their full glory. Overall, this is a great piece of music, which combines the best possible characteristics of modern European Jazz compositions with the Big Band sound, creating an irresistible amalgam of European Big Band Jazz. The UAJO is definitely one of my favorite European Jazz Big Bands and their versatility and marvelous playing and dedication to the music are apparent here, as on all their recordings, all of which are worth exploring. This s definitely one of their most impressive achievements, which deserves to be heard by every true Jazz lover around the globe!

Updated: 20/09/2021Posted: 20/09/2021

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MANFRED PAUL WEINBERGER NONET ~ IN PRESENCE OF KENNY WHEELER ATS 0970 (Barcode: 9005216009701) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This is an album by Austrian trumpeter / composer Manfred Paul WeinbergerFind albums by this artist and his nonet, which comprises of members of the Upper Austrian Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, including saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist and pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist among others. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the Canadian born British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, who cooperated with the UAJO and recorded the splendid “Plays The Music Of Kenny WheelerFind albums with this title” album with the orchestra in 1995. The album presents nine original compositions, eight by Weinberger and one by Hill. The liner notes by another UAJO collaborator, British composer / arranger Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, sum the essence of this project astutely. The nonet sounds much like a condensed version of the UAJO and offers all of its advantages: brilliant ensemble performances, excellent soloing and above all great compositions, which, as Gibbs says, would surely please Wheeler as well. The modern European Jazz approach, which uses the wonderful palette of a bigger ensemble to the max is the chief asset of this music, which enables it to sound fresh and innovative. For experienced listeners there are plenty of hidden typical quotations and hints to Wheeler’s way of doing things as well as Jazz tradition of course, but also European Classical treasures, one openly stated (Edvard GriegFind albums by this artist) and others subtly hidden in the shadows. Weinberger’s compositions offer a wide scope of approaches, both melodically and harmonically, with various degrees of proximity to the Jazz tradition, which of course also characterized Wheeler’s splendid output over the years. There is of course no shame in admitting the great Master’s influence, which Weinberger emphasizes in his short essay included in the album’s booklet. Overall, this is an excellent European Jazz album, which although recorded by "only” a nonet, firmly resides in the Jazz Big Band idiom and which does that wonderful genre a credit. Full of great music and brilliant performances, this album is a true pleasure to listen to, and more importantly also to find many original approaches, which large Jazz ensembles have to offer. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 23/09/2021

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KENNY WHEELER / CHRISTIAN MAURER ~ LIVE AT THE PORGY & BESS PAO 10720 (Barcode: 9006834107206) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1997 Released: 2000 This is a wonderful live album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, recorded at the legendary Viennese Jazz club Porgy & Bess with an Austrian quartet led by saxophonist Christian MaurerFind albums by this artist, which also included pianist Helmar HillFind albums by this artist, bassist Christian SteinerFind albums by this artist and drummer Alfred VollbauerFind albums by this artist. Together the quintet performs six compositions: three originals by Wheeler, one original each by Maurer and Vollbauer and one standard. The excellently recorded music allows an intimate experience of listening to Wheeler and his younger cohorts playing their hearts out. Obviously invigorated by the presence of these young, but by all means very able players, Wheeler is able to stretch out and play a series of wonderfully relaxed expanded soli, which are all as brilliant as expected. The most interesting piece on the album is the original piece by Vollbauer, which is the most open-form composition on the album and allows Wheeler to show his Free Jazz chops, which he used relatively rarely in the last years of his career. But of course his splendid balladry and mainstream playing is every bit as marvelous and worth being heard. The immediacy and obviously less formal atmosphere of this live session is a superb opportunity to get a glimpse of a somewhat less polished Wheeler performance in its full splendor, which is obviously worth its weight in gold. Overall the is a little known gem which is an absolute must for Wheeler´s many connoisseurs, a must in every serious collection of his extended discography and a piece of Jazz history, which deserves to be preserved for posterity.

Updated: 23/03/2019Posted: 23/03/2019

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