Record Reviews
23 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | ARILD ANDERSEN ~ CELEBRATION
ECM 2259 (Barcode: 602527909479) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012
Norwegian bassist / composer Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist has been one of my favorite musicians since decades and his immense talent and class were always beacons of light in the dark. His elegance and natural cool emphasize the best qualities of Scandinavian Jazz in particular and European Jazz in general. His numerous recording, mostly for ECMFind albums on this label, are all exemplary and his unshaken quality over the years is simply legendary.
This album finds Andersen in quite unusual circumstances, cooperating with a large Jazz Orchestra, in this case the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist directed by saxophonist Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist. He and the orchestra perform five compositions by fellow ECM musicians: Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and Trygve SeimFind albums by this artist (Garbarek and Seim being also fellow Norwegians) and one of his compositions, celebrating the music of ECM, which is considered by many to be the most important contribution to contemporary musical Culture in the last four decades.
The six compositions have been arranged for the large orchestra, with the arrangements being very delicate and spacey, opening up slots for beautiful bass solos performed by Anderson and other musicians. The overall atmosphere of the music is very lyrical and somewhat subdued, applying the famous Scandinavian touch to the entire project, even in the case when the original music originates well beyond that sphere of influence. Andersen stands in the focal point performing some absolutely amazing bass solos, which could drive most bass players to complete despair. As stated before, the orchestra takes a step back, playing subtly and beautifully, but always remaining in the background, where it belongs in this particular project. This modesty and proper perspective deserve a great praise.
The music was recorded live and as usual for an ECM production offers a wonderful sonic quality in addition to the obvious musical virtues. Those familiar with Andersen´s achievements will love this music and those still ignorant of them should use this opportunity to repent. Brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | BROTZMANN / AALTONEN / KOWALD / VESALA ~ HOT LOTTA
SVART 253 (Barcode: 6430065584575) ~ FINLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the iconic album by the German / Finnish Free Jazz quartet, a one time cooperation formed as a result of a Finnish tour organized by the Goethe Institut for the two German musicians: saxophonist Peter BrotzmannFind albums by this artist and bassist Peter KowaldFind albums by this artist, joined by Finnish Free Jazz pioneers: saxophonist / flautist Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist and drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist. The original album, which offered just four tracks, is remastered and expanded by a sensational and previously unavailable live radio session, adding five tracks and almost doubling the original album´s playing time. All the music is of course original, and although credited to individual quartet members, it is mostly spontaneously created by the players.
At the time of the recording the German musicians were already Free Jazz "veterans", with the German Avant-Garde already flourishing for a few good years, and Brotzmann gaining already a legendary status with his brazing innovations and complete disregard of conventions. Aaltonen and Vesala started to play Free Jazz just about a couple years earlier, recording the first Finnish Free Jazz album "NanaFind albums with this title". When the tour and the recording of this album happened, Vesala already recorded the "TriptyconFind albums with this title" album with Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist for the ECMFind albums on this label label and a year later would record "Nan MadolFind albums with this title", his first ECM release.
The music is, as expected, absolutely stunning and completely fresh, sounding better than most Free Jazz played five decades later, which is not able to reproduce the spontaneity, group improvisation and telepathic communication between the musicians. Aaltonen´s flute parts are especially interesting, as flute is relatively rarely used in Improvised Music, surely at the time. The unusual double saxophone lineup is also a factor in making this album so outstanding.
Overall this is a quintessential piece of European Avant-Garde / Free Jazz history, which is sadly little known due to the obscurity of this album, which reaches astronomical prices on the vinyl market these days. Therefore this reissue is an absolute marvel and again kudos is due to the SvartFind albums on this label label for their amazing work in keeping the Cultural legacy alive.
Obviously this is an absolute must to all European Free Jazz connoisseurs anywhere on this planet. Essential listening!
| | Updated: 28/06/2020Posted: 28/06/2020 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN GARBAREK ~ DANSERE
ECM 2146/48 (Barcode: 602527551784) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1971 - 1975 Released: 2012
This wonderful Box Set contains three early albums by the legendary Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, the first of which was recorded by a quintet with guitarist Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist, pianist Bobo StensonFind albums by this artist, bassist Arild AndersonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist and the other two were recorded by a quartet with Stenson, bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Christensen, recorded in early 1970s and released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, which are "SartFind albums with this title" (ECM 1015) recorded in 1971, "Witchi-Tai-ToFind albums with this title" (ECM 1041) recorded in 1973 and "DansereFind albums with this title" (ECM 1075) recorded 1975.
These albums are magnificent examples of early modern Scandinavian Jazz, which after years of copying American Jazz finally emerged as a new identity, leaving the tradition where it respectfully belongs. These six young (at that time) musicians emerged in time as some of the most creative and influential Jazz figures, producing groundbreaking music and expanding the realms of Jazz way beyond their original scope. They also defined the Scandinavian Sound, which to this day is a strong characteristic many recordings by Scandinavian musicians and some other trying to imitate them.
This music lost absolutely nothing of its original charm and fascination and sounds every bit as enchanting as it did at the time of the recording. Listening to it again after quite a few years makes a very strong impression and brings on waves of nostalgia to the times when music was constantly breaking new ground and was full of wonderful surprises. This is definitely worth re-visiting and re-discovering! Brilliant stuff!
Side Note: These albums are not available on CD individually, so this is the only way to obtain them in CD form.
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Recommend To A Friend |
  | JAN GARBAREK ~ DRESDEN – IN CONCERT
ECM 2100/01 (Barcode: 602527095721) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2007 Released: 2009
This a brilliant live recording by the Norwegian saxophonist / composer Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and his group, which comprises of radiant German keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist, Brazilian bassist Yuri DanielFind albums by this artist and French drummer Manu KatchéFind albums by this artist. The material includes a wide range of Garbarek´s compositions taken from his many albums over the years and a few extended solo pieces by the other band members, which are credited to them. The performances are absolutely stellar from start to finish, which is not surprising considering the caliber of the participants. Overall the music is melodic and the arrangements are kept simple, to keep the music flowing smoothly, which makes this album a perfect listening experience to a very wide audience way beyond strict Jazz circles. Great fun!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | TORD GUSTAVSEN ~ THE WELL
ECM 2237 (Barcode: 602527858968) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012
This is the 5th album on the prestigious ECMFind albums on this label label by Norwegian pianist / composer Tord GustavsenFind albums by this artist. His first three albums were recorded in a trio format, the fourth by an ensemble (quintet with a new bassist, saxophonist and female vocalist) and this album returns to the classic quartet format with saxophonist Tore BrunborgFind albums by this artist, bassist Mats EilertsenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jarle VespestadFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Gustavsen, is absolutely brilliant in its typical Nordic way; relaxed, romantic, lyrical and beautifully melodic. The quartet performs superbly, with the saxophonist often sounding like Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, and the rhythm session subtly fulfilling the blanks and silences in between. Although some listeners might find the Nordic music "cold", this is a complete nonsense, and careful listening will eventually disclose the passionate nature of this music, beneath the stern exterior. Absolutely brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | HADEN / GARBAREK / GISMONTI ~ MAGICO
ECM 1151 (Barcode: 042282347428) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1985
This wonderful and by now Classic album by US bassist Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist, Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and Brazilian guitarist / pianist Egberto GismontiFind albums by this artist is one of the great recordings of Jazz-World Fusion, proving that music has absolutely no borders and people from completely different cultural / artistic backgrounds are capable of finding common ground and compliment each other. These three brilliant musicians play together, creating a perfect unison, which is evident from the onset. The five pieces they perform include two composed by Gismonti and one each by Haden and Garbarek, with the fifth being another Brazilian tune. The interaction and exchange of musical ideas is absolutely magical, as the album´s title promises. As already said, this is an absolute classic and a must in any serious music collection!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEITH JARRETT ~ BELONGING
ECM 1050 (Barcode: 042282911520) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2000
During the 1970s, the legendary US pianist / composer Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist was leading a "double life", recording in parallel as a leader of two quartets: The recordings of the US quartet were released on ImpulseFind albums on this label and those of the Scandinavian quartet on ECMFind albums on this label, a relatively new (at the time) small European (German) label, which in time was destined to become the world´s leading record label associated with the most important musicians active in the late 20th Century. This album was the first recording of the Scandinavian quartet, which consisted of Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. Jarrett explored completely two different musical idioms with his two quartets: The US quartet, firmly based in the US Jazz tradition, boldly expanded the borders of the genre, whereas the Scandinavian quartet plunged head-on into the European Jazz universe, which was revolutionizing the Jazz language by moving away from the restriction set by American Jazz and amalgamating previously untouched musical areas, which included, among others, the European Classical tradition and Folklore. Jarrett was amongst the first US Jazz musicians to discover the new universe and crossed over the Atlantic pond to take part in the "new thing" without hesitation. For this album Jarrett composed a set of brilliant composition, completely different from his work in the US, and these composition performed by the Scandinavian quartet emerged as one of the greatest moments of his career. The album is simply stunning, with beautifully melodic, contemplative and atmospheric music, which charms the listener immediately, basically transforming him into a new universe. The "Scandinavian sound" of this album was about to become a point of reference for future recordings and an integral part of the "ECM sound", forever associated with the label´s output. A work of pure genius, this is an essential and everlasting piece of heavenly music!
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEITH JARRETT ~ PERSONAL MOUNTAINS
ECM 1382 (Barcode: 042283736122) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 1989
This monumental album is the only live recording by the legendary Scandinavian Quartet led by US pianist / composer Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist, with Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. Starting with the 1974 album "BelongingFind albums with this title" this quartet recorded a series of brilliant albums released on the ECMFind albums on this label label, which to a large extent defined the "Scandinavian sound" as well as the "ECM sound", but also revolutionized the entire Jazz idiom. Unrestricted by the American Jazz limitations, Jarrett was able to discover new musical universes, which he did with passion and determination, always excelling himself both as a player and a composer. This album was recorded at the absolute artistic peak of the quartet, which after playing and recording together for half a decade, developed truly telepathic unity and perfect harmony. Although released only a decade after it was recorded, this album is a brilliant "time capsule", which remains a source of admiration and inspiration. Absolutely brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | KEITH JARRETT ~ SLEEPER
ECM 2290/91 (Barcode: 602537055708) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2012
This album contains the recording of the April 1979 Tokyo concert by the pianist / composer Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and his European quartet with saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist, which was recorded some 23 years before the date of its release. It comprises of seven original compositions by Jarrett, spread over two CDs with a total playing time close to two hours. The sonic quality of this live recording is breathtaking and considering that the quartet was at that time at the absolute artistic peak having just released the studio album "Personal MountainsFind albums with this title", the album is simply an icon of contemporary music, Jazz and way beyond.
It makes no sense to repeat statements about Jarrett and his quartet and their music, since so much has already been written on the subject. Obviously this is some of the best music ever created on this planet and an absolute "must hear" for every person, who is a true a music lover. Although recorded almost a quartet of a century ago, this music stays completely timeless and even more relevant today than at the time it was recorded, considering the state of music today.
This release makes one wonder how much more music is stored in the ECMFind albums on this label vaults and if keeping it hidden from the audiences is moral? Of course there are economic considerations involved, which raises the question as to this release´s full price status; after all it is an archival release, with the material already recorded and no new investment considered necessary, except for the manufacturing and copyright costs? Times are difficult for everybody, and even more so for music lovers, and if people can´t afford to buy this album they will, yet again, obtain an illegal download. An error of judgment, as far as I can tell, by a label that is usually a beacon of excellence.
But earthly considerations aside, this is Godly music and should be treated as such. Ergo, essential stuff!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | MANU KATCHÉ ~ NEIGHBOURHOOD
ECM 1896 (Barcode: 602498698150) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2004 Released: 2005
First recording on the legendary ECMFind albums on this label label by French / African (born in Ivory Coast) drummer / composer Manu KatchéFind albums by this artist, who established his international career in the 1980s when he played with Peter GabrielFind albums by this artist, StingFind albums by this artist and many others Rock stars. However, his true vocation is Jazz, as this spectacular album shows. Accompanied by a dreamy team of musicians: Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and legendary Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist with two young players from his quartet - pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist and bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist; Katché presents ten original compositions, all written by him. The music is brilliant from start to finish, superbly performed by all the participants with Katché´s drumming, as unusual as it is for Jazz, adding a new dimension. African rhythms and pulsations play a major role in Katché´s drumming, but they are not aggressive and overly dominating, which is all for the best. Altogether this is a superb piece of music, full of heavenly moments and surprises. An absolute must!
Visitors' Comments
Christopher Brice
The playing, recording and production are outstandingly good, including the interplay between these wonderful musicians; but I have to say that the composition is not as interesting as we would expect on a Stanko or Garbarek album
Christopher Brice
Something keeps drawing me back to this album despite the partly negative comment above, and I have even been tempted to try MK´s later Playground; This album really does have a special sound, but those little repetitive parts do irritate.
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | KARIN KROG ~ JAZZ MOMENTS
MEANTIME 12 (Barcode: 7051070000127) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2006
This is a reissue / remaster of the second album by the Norwegian Jazz singer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1966 with a fabulous trio: American pianist Kenny DrewFind albums by this artist (resident in Denmark at the time), Danish bassist Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The original album presented nine tracks, all standards, and this edition adds one alternate take as a bonus track.
This album is a wonderful document of the early days of Krog’s career, with her idiosyncratic approach and style already well in place. It also documents the Scandinavian Jazz scene in the mid-1960s, which was developing rapidly, partly due to the fact that many American Jazz musicians settled in Scandinavia at the time, escaping the racist discrimination from which they suffered at home.
Krog was always a sublime interpreter of the Great American Songbook, and her highly personal treatment of the standards was always absolutely unique, which is clearly evident on this early album. Of course the performances by the young Scandinavian players are also exceptional.
Overall, this is a wonderful trip down the memory line, taking the listener almost sixty years back in time to the steaming Scandinavian Jazz scene, which was exploding with talent and left a sublime legacy, which sounds as good today as it did then. For Jazz singers, this is a highly educational exposure of the Artistry of vocal Jazz.
| | Updated: 25/03/2024Posted: 16/08/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | KARIN KROG ~ JOY
MEANTIME 15 (Barcode: 7051070000158) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2008
This is a reissue of the third album by legendary Norwegian vocalist / composer Karin KrogFind albums by this artist recorded with young Norwegian musicians, who would soon become some of Europe’s Jazz icons: saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, pianist Terje BjorklundFind albums by this artist, bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist, drummer Svein ChristiansenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Espen RudFind albums by this artist. This lineup recorded four of the tracks on this album, and the remaining track is a live recording with Swedish bassist Palle DanielssonFind albums by this artist, who joins Andersen to form a bass duo. The original album was expanded for this reissue by two live tracks recorded with a different lineup, which includes American (resident in Scandinavia at the time) trumpeter Ted CursonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The album was beautifully remastered by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo.
In the liner notes written for the original album by American composer / bandleader George RussellFind albums by this artist, who was one of the very few musicians at the time beyond the pond to discover the European Jazz revolution, he recognizes Krog as one of the most innovative Jazz vocalists, of the class of Sheila Jordan and Jeanne Lee, and this album clearly shows why. Her approach to singing in particular and Jazz in general was already at that time completely innovative, using vocalese, electronics and unconventional timbre.
Although the music is still partly rooted in traditional American Jazz, these young Norwegians show no inferiority complex whatsoever, already clearly seeing the path ahead. The almost completely freely improvised track is already deeply ahead of the tradition of course.
Krog’s vocal performances and her idiosyncratic voice are delightful from start to finish and the superb instrumental performances by all the musicians involved sound absolutely fresh despite the fact that this music was recorded over five decades ago.
It is great to see Karin reissuing her recorded legacy on her own MeantimeFind albums on this label label, as this music obviously deserves to be remembered and even today can teach the new generations of Jazz musicians, how important it is to step forward boldly.
Since today is Karen’s Birthday, I wish her many more years of music!
| | Updated: 15/05/2021Posted: 15/05/2021 | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | MARILYN MAZUR / JAN GARBAREK ~ ELIXIR
ECM 1962 (Barcode: 602517373204) ~ DENMARK ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2005 Released: 2008
This is a beautiful intimate cooperation between Danish percussionist Marilyn MazurFind albums by this artist and saxophone legend Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist. Mazur played as a regular member of the Garbarek ensemble for many years and recorded numerous albums with him, but this is the first album where she and her percussion instruments from all over the world stand in the centre of attention and calls the shots. Garbarek responds sympathetically to the rhythmic clues supplied by Mazur and the evolving dialog is deeply moving and aesthetically highly elegant. Both musicians obviously respect each other deeply, which is a basis for any meaningful conversation, musical or otherwise. This kind of music demands total attention from the listener, but the experience is highly rewarding and well worth trying out. Recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | GARY PEACOCK ~ VOICE FROM THE PAST - PARADIGM
ECM 1210 (Barcode: 731451776823) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1981 Released: 1990
This great album by US bassist / composer Gary PeacockFind albums by this artist is a milestone achievement in his extensive career. Recorded with an all star quartet with Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist, Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and his life-long partner drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist, the album presents six extended pieces, all composed by Peacock, beautifully executed by the participants. In retrospect this is one of the pivotal albums, which summarize the 1970s, which was perhaps the most creative period for Free Jazz, expanding upon the seeds planted a decade earlier by the pioneers of the genre. Most Jazz musicians in the 1980s were to return to the "roots", with modern mainstream experiencing a remarkable renaissance. But this album is still very much rooted in the Free Jazz tradition, with creative group improvisation and telepathic interplay are the main ingredients. Stanko´s input is simply breathtaking, which confirms the fact that he was at that time at one of his creative peaks. But all the musicians play incredibly well and the session displays creative fire of rare magnitude. In retrospect this is definitely on of the strongest albums of that period, sadly rarely mentioned as such. Brilliant stuff!
Visitors' Comments
Christopher Brice
Wonderful album indeed - Peacock is somewhat reminiscent of Barre Phillips on this (eg, Mountainscapes, w/John Surman). For me it is completely timeless, and does not sound like a throw-back to the 70s or any other specific time.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | RAIZ DE PEDRA ~ TRAJETÓRIA
EDITIO PRINCEPS 15 (Barcode: 7898901556152) ~ BRAZIL ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1983 - 1987 Released: 2008
1st album by brilliant Brazilian group Raiz De PedraFind albums by this artist, which combines Prog, Jazz and Brazilian elements into a unique experience, rarely achieved by others, released now for the first time on CD. Influenced by a wide scope of music from King CrimsonFind albums by this artist to Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and of course Brazilian Masters like Egberto GismontiFind albums by this artist and Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, their music could be compared to some of the experiments by European RIO groups, but overall they are just completely in their own world, which of course is great. All the band members are splendid instrumentalists but the reeds player Márcio TubinoFind albums by this artist is simply phenomenal. The original album is expanded here with one early (pre album) track and live material taken from their 2nd (recorded live) album "Ao VivoFind albums with this title", which is sadly out of print now. I can wholeheartedly recommend this album to any Prog / RIO/ Jazz-Rock fan, as they will surely not only enjoy it, but also discover a new world of music, which surely deserves to be heard.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | GEORGE RUSSELL ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE
CAM JAZZ 1005 (Barcode: 8024709113221) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1966 - 1983 Released: 2010
This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary American keyboardist / composer George RussellFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. The recordings span a period of almost 20 years and present Russell in many different settings, from a sextet to a big Jazz Orchestra, his preferred weapon of choice. His brilliant compositions are the focal point of these recordings and present a most impressive volume of brilliant work, which earn him an honorable place in the history of the genre. Most of these recordings are with European and in particular Scandinavian musicians and the list of names reads like a who´s who of the European Jazz scene: Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Bernt RosengrenFind albums by this artist, Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist, Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist, Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist and many others. Russell resided in Europe in the mid to late 1960s and after returning to the US he often visited Europe and continued to record there. His music was accepted and appreciated in Europe much more that in his native US, which is the case with many American Jazzmen in the 1960s and 1970s, many of which resided in Europe for extended periods of time. The contents of this Box Set is a great tribute to the great composer´s life and work and includes some of the most interesting music recorded in the 20th Century. A must!
Side Note
The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label.
The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented.
However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty.
These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!
| | Updated: 12/04/2020Posted: | CD 9 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | RALPH TOWNER ~ SOLSTICE
ECM 1060 (Barcode: 602517758575) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008
This is a reissue of the 3rd solo album by American guitarist / pianist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with European musicians: Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, German bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven composed by Towner and one by Weber. The music was recorded at the legendary Arne BendiksenFind albums by this artist Studio in Oslo, often called the birthplace of ECMFind albums on this label, with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding behind the console. Kongshaug was the manager and chief sound engineer of the studio between 1967 and 1974, and he is the creator of the iconic “ECM sound” of the early ECM releases.
The music is absolutely magnificent, a sophisticated mixture of influences from different World Music traditions, Scandinavian melancholy and Jazz improvisation, exquisitely performed by these Master musicians. In parallel to his solo recordings, Towner was of course a member of the legendary OregonFind albums by this artist quartet, which created music somewhat similar to what can be heard here, but the European / Nordic influences are much stronger on this album, taking the music into another “orbit”.
Recorded in December of 1974 (50 years ago!), this music is light-years ahead of its time, and reflects the enormous influence that the early ECM albums had both on European and much later also on American Jazz. The incredible freedom the musicians were allowed to pursue, unrestricted by any commercial considerations, created an atmosphere of unlimited creativity, experimentation and milestone development of contemporary music, which lasted for a couple of decades, making a lasting impact, and which ripples can be felt even today.
Towner’s extensive recorded legacy, which spans well over fifty albums as leader and sideman, is a treasure trove of brilliant music and his integrity and immense talent never failed him over the years. I feel privileged for having the opportunity to meet him in person and even having him as a guest in my home.
Overall, this is an absolutely everlasting gem of an album, which stands as a beacon of the early ECM recordings, full of brilliant and touching music, counting every second of its duration. It should be a part of every decent album collection, reaching far beyond any genre classification – it is simply Godly music.
| | Updated: 17/01/2025Posted: 17/01/2025 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.29
POLSKIE RADIO 2061 (Barcode: 5907812245344) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2017
This is the twenty-ninth 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 1966 during the ninth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the first volume of a collection of tracks from that event.
The first five tracks present a duo comprising of American (resident in Europe since the mid 1960s and until his death in 2002) pianist / composer Mal WaldronFind albums by this artist and Swedish bassist Kurt LindgrenFind albums by this artist. They perform five original compositions by Waldron, which are a beautiful example of Waldron´s unique Blues based music, which characterized his output at the time. The intimate duo format is a prime example of the "Art Of The Duo", which emphasizes the telepathic communication between the duo members.
The next track presents another duo, this time comprising of Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist and Lindgren. They perform just one standard together, again showing the marvelous intimacy of the duo format and of course Garbarek´s early style, which is rarely heard on record and was captured here just before his debut recording session a month later.
The next track presents yet another duo, this time comprising of Norwegian vocalist Karin KrogFind albums by this artist and Waldron. They perform just one standard together, which showcases Krog´s early vocal style. She recorded her debut album a couple of years before her appearance in Warsaw and was about to record her second album ("Jazz MomentsFind albums with this title") with Garbarek a month later, which would be his debut recording session mentioned above.
The last three tracks present a trio consisting of Krog, Garbarek and Lindgren and present three classic standards, one of which is also featured on the a.m. second album by Krog. The intimacy of these performances is simply brilliant and absolutely unique.
The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.
| | Updated: 06/05/2017Posted: 05/05/2017 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | EDWARD VESALA TRIO ~ NANA
SVART 421 (Barcode: 6430065585183) ~ FINLAND ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2018
This is a reissue of the iconic debut album by the Godfather of modern Finnish Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist and his trio with Finnish saxophonist Juhani AaltonenFind albums by this artist and Norwegian bassist Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, four by Aaltonen, one each by Vesala and Andersen and one co-composed by all three members of the trio. Finnish trumpeter Mike KoskinenFind albums by this artist, who was supposed to play on the album, fell ill and the recording went down in history as a trio affair.
This was the first ever Finnish Free Jazz album and except for the little known album "NykysuomalaistaFind albums with this title" (Contemporary Finnish) recorded a year earlier, on which Vesala and Aaltonen appeared only on the B side of the LP, this was the debut full album for both of them.
The music is typical of the early European Free Jazz wave, which exploded on both sides of the Iron Curtain by the late 1960s. Vesala enlisted Anderson (who was a few months younger than him) to play with the trio as Anderson had already gained experience playing Free Jazz with Don CherryFind albums by this artist and others. The cooperation proved to be of crucial importance for Vesala, as it led to him being introduced to Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist. In 1972 Vesala took part in his first ECMFind albums on this label album, the Jan Garbarek´s "TriptykonFind albums with this title" and soon after recorded his debut album for the label "Nan MadolFind albums with this title". He recorded five more albums for ECM and also participated on albums by Polish trumpeter Tomasz StankoFind albums by this artist released by the label.
In retrospect, the album is not only a highly important document of Finnish / European Jazz, but also a piece of music that still sounds vibrant and exciting, in spite of the fact that it was recorded five decades earlier.
This remastered edition is the first ever appearance of this historic album on CD, and considering its immense importance, it is an absolute must for any serious European Free Jazz connoisseur!
| | Updated: 28/06/2020Posted: 26/06/2020 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIROSLAV VITOUS ~ UNIVERSAL SYNCOPATIONS
ECM 1863 (Barcode: 044003850620) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2003
Soon after his arrival in the US from his native Czechoslovakia, bassist / composer Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist became one of the central figures in the vortex of Jazz activity in the late 1960s / early 1970s with the emergence of American Fusion. Over the years Vitous played with all the great Masters, both in the US and in Europe and this recording by the super-group quintet proves his status as a member of the Jazz elite. Saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, pianist Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist combine forces with Vitous, performing nine of his original compositions, two of which were co-composed with Garbarek and one with DeJohnette. On three of these compositions the quintet is expanded to an octet, with the addition of three brass players. The result is a mixture of modern Jazz and occasional Fusion experiments, with plenty of space for the individual players to improvise. The level of musicianship is of course staggering and the overall result should please most listeners of contemporary Jazz. Warmly recommended!
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | EBERHARD WEBER ~ ENCORE
ECM 2439 (Barcode: 602547120519) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1990 - 2007 Released: 2015
According to his own words, spoken in an interview included in the liner notes of this album, this is probably the last album by the seminal German Jazz bassist / composer Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist. It is a companion to the "ResumeFind albums with this title" album released three years earlier and presents the same concept created from the same musical source – a series of bass solos played by Weber between 1990 and 2007 while he was a member of Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist´s group, edited out of live recordings by the group made in many locations across Europe. This album includes thirteen such pieces, following the twelve pieces previously issued on "Resume".
Since his stroke in 2007 Weber is no longer an active performing musician and since his disability prevents him from playing the bass, he uses the edited bass solos as vehicles to "re-compose" them into new musical pieces, adding keyboard parts and inviting his old friend, Dutch trumpeter Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist to add flugelhorn to some of these pieces, whose contributions turn out to be brilliant and fit the bill like a glove.
This album is not only a great musical achievement but also, and perhaps more importantly so, a symbolic triumph of mind over body. The fact that Weber is able to overcome the physical and mental obstacles and continues to be a creative human being is a tremendous lesson teaching us that disability and illness are just a minor hindrance for heroic artists.
The music is, as usual, a superb example of European approach to Jazz improvisation, with grace, elegance and sophistication play the first fiddle. Weber always was, like many of his German companions, a proud European, refusing to restrict his unlimited vision and artistic scope to rigid mainstream Jazz guidelines. He stated that fact repeatedly, and paid the price, as his music never really "made it" in the US, where he was often described as "a weirdo playing that no good Euro-jazz".
Of course time is often the best judge of values and this music is undoubtedly here to stay. Weber´s completely unique approach to the bass technique and particularly sound made a tremendous impact on many Jazz musicians around the world and his subtle aesthetics is always a source of first rate musical experiences. If this is indeed the last time we are able to hear new music created by this sublime artist, I can only hope that reality will prove everybody wrong…
| | | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | JACOB YOUNG ~ FOREVER YOUNG
ECM 2366 (Barcode: 602537688968) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014
This is the 6th album as a leader (3rd on ECMFind albums on this label) by Norwegian guitarist / composer Jacob YoungFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with Norwegian saxophonist Trygve SeimFind albums by this artist and a Polish rhythm section of pianist Marcin WasilewskiFind albums by this artist, bassist Slawomir KurkiewiczFind albums by this artist and drummer Michal MiskiewiczFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Marcin Wasilewski TrioFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by Young. The album was recorded at the legendary Rainbow Studio in Oslo and engineered by my late Friend Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, offering a spectacular sound quality, as expected.
The music is beautifully melodic, almost romantic, flowing gently and being a classic illustration of the Nordic Jazz sound. Although Young is undoubtedly the leader of this recording, he is certainly happy to share the spotlight with Seim and Wasilewski, who share at least as much if not more of the soloing duties with the leader. The Polish rhythm section is absolutely perfect for this music, as Wasilewski is a Master of romantic / lyrical expression, as evident on his numerous recordings with this trio. Strangely / sadly it took a whole decade for Young to record his next solo album “EventuallyFind albums with this title” to follow this one.
Overall, this is a wonderful piece of Norwegian Jazz, which after all is still very much associated with the Nordic Jazz idiom, going back to the early Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist recordings, which influenced generations to come. Exquisite performances by all the musicians, beautiful compositions and crystal clear sound combined, create a classic modern Jazz album with a pinch of Nordic cool and Polish warmth.
| | Updated: 27/01/2024Posted: 27/01/2024 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
|
