Record Reviews

STEPHANE GRAPPELLI / DIZ DISLEY TRIO ~ VIOLINSPIRATION MPS 4029759097259 (Barcode: 4029759097259) ~ FRANCE ~ Gypsy Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by legendary French violinist /composer Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist recorded with an excellent trio led by British (born in Canada) guitarist Diz DisleyFind albums by this artist, which also featured another British (born in Burma) guitarist Ike IsaacsFind albums by this artist and Swiss bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist. Disley managed to persuade Grappelli to return to public performance playing music in the style of the original Hot Club de France and this quartet (with some lineup changes) was later called Hot Club of London. On this album they perform thirteen tunes, one of which is an original composition by Grappelli, another one is an original composition by Isaacs and the rest are standards. The album is a beautiful example of the Gypsy Jazz sub genre, and marks a rebirth of the tradition started by Grappelli and Django ReinhardtFind albums by this artist in 1934, which can be considered as one of the first significant original European Jazz contributions to Jazz. Grappelli continued the revived tradition playing for years with Disley and then rejuvenating his group with the inclusion of the great British guitarist Martin TaylorFind albums by this artist. This beautifully recorded album remains as one of the finest examples of Grappelli´s virtuosity and the Gypsy Jazz tradition. The performances by all the participants are stellar and the music is simply forever young. As such, this album is an absolute must to all Gypsy Jazz lovers anywhere on this planet. 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: 27/05/2018Posted: 08/07/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STAN TRACEY ~ THREE CLASSIC ALBUMS PLUS AVID 1044 (Barcode: 5022810304425) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 2003 Released: 2011 This is a marvelous collection of early recordings by the Godfather of modern British Jazz, pianist / vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. It includes the first two albums Tracey recorded as a leader: "ShowcaseFind albums with this title" (from 1958) and "Little KlunkFind albums with this title" (from 1959) and the only album by the short-lived octet Jazz Inc.Find albums by this artist led by drummer / composer / bandleader Tony CrombieFind albums by this artist, which features Tracey on piano. The "Plus" comprises of four tracks by the Stan Tracey quartet featuring Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist (from 1959), a couple of tracks by the Harry KleinFind albums by this artist Quintet featuring Stan Tracey on piano (from 1955) and a trio recording by guitarist Jon WheatleyFind albums by this artist, bassist Andy CleyndertFind albums by this artist and Tracey from 2003 (not really belonging to this set but what the heck). This collection is not only highly entertaining, but also very educational, as it traces the development of Modern British Jazz, which started as a formidable adaptation of the American Jazz tradition and gradually developed into a completely new and even separate Jazz idiom. The comparison between "Showcase" and "Little Klunk" is particularly fascinating, as these two albums are light years apart from each other, although in fact they were recorded only one year between each other. The former, recorded in a trio / quartet setting features Tracey on piano and vibraphone, with guitarists Ike IsaacsFind albums by this artist or Ray DempseyFind albums by this artist, bassists Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist or Johnny HawksworthFind albums by this artist and drummers Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist or Ronnie VerrellFind albums by this artist (the piano pieces are trios and the vibraphone pieces are quartets). All the music on this album consists of standards and stylistically the music moves between Swing and Bebop, with Tracey obviously already listening closely to the American pioneers stepping beyond, especially Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist. The latter album, however, recorded in a trio format with Napper and Seamen features all original compositions by Tracey and clearly defines his original voice, which moves away quite radically from both Swing and Bebop, but not yet as advanced as it will become in not too distant future. The work of the magnificent Phil Seamen heard here is of course priceless, considering his tragically short life. The Jazz Inc. live recording is also a typical example of the British scene at the time, with the octet playing mostly original material by its members, with just a couple of standards thrown in for good measure. Excellent soloing by all the musicians and the accomplished Big Band sound are a superb nostalgic memento. The Tracey / Hayes tracks recorded by the BBC World Service for "export to former colonies", is a rare opportunity to hear these two Giants together, which happened only very rarely. The guitar trio tracks added here seemingly simply to "fill the time" prove to be the least interesting per se, although of course perfectly well played. Overall this collection, digitally remastered and very reasonably priced, is a true gem and an essential part of every modern British Jazz record collection. A must!

Updated: 26/01/2016Posted: 26/01/2016

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend