Record Reviews

MAYNARD FERGUSON ~ PRIMAL SCREAM / NEW VINTAGE / CARNIVAL BGO 1142 (Barcode: 5017261211422) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1978 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of three albums by Canadian Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label during the late part of his stint with the label: "Primal ScreamFind albums with this title" (1976), "New VintageFind albums with this title" (1977) and "CarnivalFind albums with this title" (1978). These albums feature some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time and mark Ferguson´s commercial success and popularity, well beyond the strict Jazz circles. Among the artists appearing on these albums are: keyboardists Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Bob JamesFind albums by this artist, drummers Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist, guitarists Eric GaleFind albums by this artist and Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, saxophonists David SanbornFind albums by this artist and Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Marvin StammFind albums by this artist and Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is a mixture of original compositions by Ferguson and the composer / arranger Jay ChattawayFind albums by this artist, Jazz standards, film themes, popular songs and Classical pieces, all superbly arranged and executed by the Big Band / Orchestra, with soaring solos by Ferguson the guest stars. Although definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, mixing Jazz with Funk, Rock and even Reggae, the music was always tasteful and impeccably executed. Ferguson´s piercing trumpet sound is still one of the most recognizable sounds in American Jazz and remains unparalleled to this very day. Personally I have always found the music of Ferguson to be both highly entertaining and artistically relevant, offering classy performances with stand the test of time with ease. Highly recommended!

Updated: 19/04/2020Posted: 19/04/2020

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ MINGUS AT CARNEGIE HALL (DELUXE EDITION) ATLANTIC 603497844326 (Barcode: 603497844326) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1974 Released: 2021 This is an expanded reissue / remaster of a live album by legendary American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded on January 19, 1974 at the NY Carnegie Hall. The music was recorded by a sextet, which included trumpeter Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists George AdamsFind albums by this artist and Hamiet BluiettFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist and drummer Dannie RichmondFind albums by this artist. The sextet was expanded to a nonet on two tracks, with the addition of three saxophonists: John HandyFind albums by this artist, Rahsaan Roland KirkFind albums by this artist and Charles McPhersonFind albums by this artist. This 2CD edition presents seven tracks, adding five tracks (and over seventy minutes) of unreleased material. Four of the tracks last over twenty minutes and one just under twenty minutes. Three of the tracks are original compositions by Mingus, one is by Pullen, one is by Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, one is a standard and finally one is a short spoken word introduction. The restored sound is absolutely pristine. The music is, in many respects, a closing chapter of American Jazz, which summarizes the great Bebop period and the entry into Free Jazz, offering a gallery of instrumental Masters, who lament the grand times with obvious nostalgic glace over the shoulder, realizing the fact that the ride is over. The great leader / guru, one of the last standing figures of American Jazz, was playing one of the last live concerts in his career and would be dead in a few years and there was nobody in sight to carry the torch. But the music is of course grand, from start to finish, with incredible soloing and great group improvisations, kept carefully in check by the boss. They were, after all, the crème de la crème of the scene at the time and clearly could outplay anybody out there. Mingus’ compositions are ideal vehicles for the orgy of sound and camaraderie that prevails, and despite the fact that they are not innovating anything, they clearly learned the lesson of the decade preceding this recording, laying any doubts about Bebop being over to rest. Overall, this is a monster album, which deserves an honorable place in every decent Jazz records collection, not only because of the incredible amount of great music it offers, but more importantly because of the message it so vividly sends to the Jazz world: Bebop was great, we took everything there was to take from it, now please let it rest in peace!

Updated: 28/01/2024Posted: 28/01/2024

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

CHARLES MINGUS ~ THE LOST ALBUM FROM RONNIE SCOTT`S RESONANCE 2063 (Barcode: 617270122846) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 Released: 2022 This is an archival 3CD album by American bassist / composer / bandleader Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s club in London during Mingus’ residence there on August 14 and 15, 1972. The music is performed by a sextet, which comprises of Mingus on bass with trumpeter Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Charles McPhersonFind albums by this artist and Bobby JonesFind albums by this artist, pianist John FosterFind albums by this artist and drummer Roy BrooksFind albums by this artist. The album presents only nine tracks, since three tracks last half an hour and more and another one about twenty minutes. The material presents extended version of iconic Mingus’ compositions. Also included is an impressive 64-pages booklet with great photographs, an essay by British Jazz historian / writer Brian Priestley and interviews with musicians from Mingus’ ensembles. The music is a wonderful document of Mingus and his modus operandi during his late period, which included expanded versions of his classic compositions, like those included herein, with a significant freedom allowed to the band members to improvise in various settings, like solo, duo, trios and so on, periodically returning to the main theme and then floating away again and again. The fact that the album was released fifty years after this music was recorded proves how far-thinking and everlasting this music was and still is today. There is of course plenty of opportunities for the individual musicians to show their chops, and it is one of the latest recordings featuring Mingus soloing extensively, before his illness limited his performing abilities. The album offers excellent sound quality and was recorded properly on a multitrack equipment, and the source material was excellently remastered. Overall, this is a classic Mingus recording, which represents his genius as player, composer, bandleader and a Jazz visionary, who always knew exactly what he wanted to say in his music and offered an unwavering dedication to his vision of Jazz, often against the “Jazz establishment” at home. For Mingus many fans and followers, this is an absolute must have in their collection of his recordings, but all true Jazz lovers should find this fascinating. There was, after all, only one Charles Mingus…

Updated: 24/03/2024Posted: 24/03/2024

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend