Record Reviews

HANK JONES ~ HAVE YOU MET THIS JONES? MPS 4029759097310 (Barcode: 4029759097310) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by American pianist Hank JonesFind albums by this artist, the oldest of the three famous Jones Brothers (Thad, Elvin and Hank) recorded with a trio with also included Swiss bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist and German drummer Kurt BongFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in Germany for the MPSFind albums on this label label and produced by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist. It presents eight tracks, one of which is an original composition by Hank Jones, one is by his brother Thad JonesFind albums by this artist and the remaining six are standards. Jones was famous for his delicate touch and superb feel, which made him one of the most sought after accompanists by Jazz vocalists like Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist and many others, but played Bebop and may other forms of Jazz with the same ease and elegance. This date finds him playing mainstream Jazz with his typical finesse and in a very relaxed atmosphere. For classic Jazz piano trio lovers this is heaven on earth, especially in view of the excellent sonic quality this album offers. Although Jones recorded many albums during his long career, this is one of very few albums he recorded with a European rhythm section, and therefore a rare opportunity to investigate of the influence of these players on his performance. This forgotten little gem is definitely worth being discovered! 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: 27/05/2018Posted: 26/05/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend