Record Reviews

MONTY ALEXANDER ~ MONTREUX ALEXANDER MPS 4029759113454 (Barcode: 4029759113454) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of an album by American (born in Jamaica) pianist Monty AlexanderFind albums by this artist, which was his seventh album for MPSFind albums on this label and the first live recording with his trio, captured as the title suggests at the Montreux Jazz Festival, which also included bassist John ClaytonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jeff HamiltonFind albums by this artist. The trio performs six pieces, five of which are standards and one is a traditional tune arranged by Alexander. Alexander was influenced by the Giants of the American Jazz piano, like Oscar PetersonFind albums by this artist, Erroll GarnerFind albums by this artist and many others, and his technically brilliant playing mixed these influences with the Caribbean elements of his origins, creating a very attractive and immensely popular brand of piano trio Jazz, which brought him success in the US and in Europe. This album is considered to be the best effort of his very extensive recorded legacy and is often also included in the list of some of the best live piano trio albums. In retrospect it still is a good piano trio album, but nothing which deserves to be considered a classic, as it presents nothing beyond standard interpretation of standard tunes, which of course was done repetitively over time, however skillful and "flashy" it might appear, without leaving a lasting influence on the Jazz idiom. However, considering the brilliant sound quality of the live recording and the likeability of the music, this album is sure to bring plenty of joy to people who enjoy the lighter side of Jazz. As usual it´s great to have this album back in circulation! 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: 28/05/2018Posted: 17/12/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DR. JOHN ~ AFTERGLOW BLUE THUMB 7000 (Barcode: 011105700023) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is a lovely and sadly little known album by iconic American singer / pianist / songwriter / bandleader Dr. JohnFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Mac RebennackFind albums by this artist), recorded with a full Jazz Big Band / Orchestra. The album presents ten songs, seven of which are American Songbook standards and three are his own songs. The album was produced by the legendary producer Tommy LiPumaFind albums by this artist and the songs were arranged and conducted by John ClaytonFind albums by this artist. The instrumentalists include guitarist Phil UpchurchFind albums by this artist, bassist Ray BrownFind albums by this artist, drummer Jeff HamiltonFind albums by this artist and other renown Jazz players. The beautiful idiosyncratic voice, piano playing and general attitude of Dr. John work absolutely perfectly with the Big Band arrangements, and the resulting music works as if it was initially created exactly for this unique setting. Overall, this is a little hidden gem of American music, which deserves to be remembered and a lot can be learned from it, how to combine cross-genre musical sources to create a perfect amalgam, which is simply everlasting. Blues, Soul and vocal Jazz enthusiasts should love this album to bits!

Updated: 05/10/2022Posted: 05/10/2022

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend