Record Reviews

KENNY GRAHAM ~ MOONDOG AND SUNCAT SUITES TRUNK 036 (Barcode: 666017219325) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 Released: 2010 The tiny British TrunkFind albums on this label Records label (owned by Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist) is an endless source of discovery for a serious collector, specializing in unearthing ultra rare (or rarer) recordings and bringing them back to light. For specialist in British Jazz Trunk Records have some incredible offers, like this incredible long out of print album by saxophonist / composer Kenny GrahamFind albums by this artist, who was one of the great leaders of the British scene in the 1950s and early 1960s. This album presents two suites composed by Graham and performed by his expanded Band, which included some of the greatest players on the scene, like pianist Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist and many others. The first of these suites is based on the music of the eccentric American composer MoondogFind albums by this artist, and the second is Graham´s "answer". The music is absolutely superb, eons ahead of their time and so unusual that one tends to check the recording date repeatedly in disbelief. What a surprising piece of the British Jazz history. This album is a wonderful document of the era and an indispensable part of any serious British Jazz collection!

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NILS PETTER MOLVAER ~ SWITCH OKEH 888837477420 (Barcode: 888837477420) ~ NORWAY ~ Smooth Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 Norwegian award winning trumpeter / composer Nils Petter MolvaerFind albums by this artist continues his stream of releases with this album recorded with fellow Norwegian musicians: drummer Erland DahlenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Geir SundstolFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Morten QvenildFind albums by this artist and sound engineer / programmer Jan Marius AareskjoldFind albums by this artist. The album includes ten original compositions, all (assumingly) by Molvaer. Following his association with the ECMFind albums on this label label, first with the excellent band MasqualeroFind albums by this artist and then as a solo artist recording two albums, he left ECM in pursue of a wider exposure and commercial success. The music is an amalgam of Jazz trumpet and electronics, Rock and ambient influences. The muted trumpet sound, derived from the late period Miles DavisFind albums by this artist sound, the melancholic and atmospheric melodic themes, typical of Scandinavian music and the ambient electronic soundscapes create an overall slick mixture, which is easily accessible by a wide range of audiences, aged between fifteen and eighty five, predominantly female. This album is quite similar to several Molvaer´s preceding albums and it is difficult to see any real progress or direction where this music is going. Although in the early days of his musical career Molvaer seemed to have a great potential and was seen as an upcoming force in European Jazz, his later career pushed him towards the role of a trumpet playing Kenny GFind albums by this artist, with a slightly more ambitious attitude. Of course there is nothing wrong with this kind of music per se, and with enjoying it. Personally I find it "much ado about nothing", but what do I know? I really tried to like it this time, but alas it is simply boring.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend