Record Reviews

JANE IRA BLOOM ~ ART AND AVIATION ARABESQUE 107 (Barcode: 026724010729) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992 This is an album by American Jazz saxophonist / composer Jane Ira BloomFind albums by this artist, recorded with British Jazz trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and American musicians: trumpeter Ron HortonFind albums by this artist, pianist Kenny WernerFind albums by this artist, bassists Rufus ReidFind albums by this artist or Michael FormanekFind albums by this artist and drummer Jerry GranelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by the leader and two are standards. As far as I know this is one of two recordings by Bloom with Wheeler and since it was released over thirty years ago it is not very easy to find. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. Bloom is one of my favorite American Jazz musicians / composers since she appeared on the scene in the 1980s. She is daring and original and is also one of the pioneers of incorporating electronics in her music. Her music sounds more like European Jazz rather than American, which is quite refreshing. This album has especially somewhat ECMish sound and atmosphere, which must have been influenced by Wheeler’s presence. For the many Wheeler followers, he can be heard playing some marvelous trumpet parts here, easily comparable to his best work on more renowned albums. Overall, this is an excellent modern Jazz album, performed by first class musicians and is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 12/05/2023Posted: 29/03/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

LEE KONITZ ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1011 (Barcode: 8052405140074) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 - 1992 Released: 2011 This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary US saxophonist / composer Lee KonitzFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Konitz needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that from the early days with Lennie TristanoFind albums by this artist and than Miles DavisFind albums by this artist to this very day he never stopped developing and astounding his audiences. Being a very prolific musician and bandleader, Konitz recorded a vast number of albums over the years cooperating with the most distinguished Jazz musicians around the globe. His virtuosic sax playing and excellent compositions are always a source of great musical joy. The musicians playing on these five albums include: drummer Billy HartFind albums by this artist, pianist Kenny WernerFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist, bassist Marc JohnsonFind albums by this artist, drummer Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and many others. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector. 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! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Lovely - led me to areas of Konitz´s work I did not know

Updated: 12/04/2020Posted:

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

OLES BROTHERS / KENNY WERNER ~ SHADOWS FENOMMEDIA 005 (Barcode: 5907604327050) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 Released: 2006 This is a superb album recorded by Polish Jazz musicians: bassist Marcin OlesFind albums by this artist and drummer Bartlomiej OlesFind albums by this artist, collectively known as Oles BrothersFind albums by this artist, with the great American pianist Kenny WernerFind albums by this artist. Together, as a classic piano trio, they perform eight original compositions, seven of which were composed by Bartlomiej Oles and one by Marcin Oles. Werner is an ideal partner for the Oles Brothers, as he one is of very few American pianists, who combine the Jazz tradition with modernism and are ready to step outside of the stuffy norms which keep most of American Jazz within the conceptual prison of mainstream. The Oles Brothers also combine the very same qualities; on one hand the respect and love towards the Jazz tradition and canon but at the same time a continuous drive to discover new forms and ways of expression, which will expand the genre´s horizons. The full compatibility is immediately apparent and the resulting music is amongst the best of the Oles Brothers achievements. The music is based on solid melodies and typical piano trio approach to improvisation, which features extensive piano solos and intense accompaniment with occasional bass / drums solos. Werner is wonderfully lyrical, even when the notes he produces are distant from the melodic themes and enter the Free realm. The rhythm section is with him at all times, warmly supportive and intelligently sympathetic. Overall the album is a delight to all piano trio connoisseurs, and ranks among the true minor classics of that Jazz category. Considering how well this trio sounds it is a pity that the Oles Brothers did not record with Werner again – perhaps this can be remedied, hopefully soon. Of course it would be most interesting to hear them with other pianist of similar status as well. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/01/2017Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend