Record Reviews

FRANCY BOLAND ORCHESTRA ~ BLUE FAME / RED HOT / WHITE HEAT MPS 602517643888 (Barcode: 602517643888) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2008 This is a reissue of the three albums recorded by the Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist and his Orchestra, originally recorded in 1976 and released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label. The 2CD album presents eighteen tracks, which include original compositions by Boland and Jazz standards, all arranged by him. The orchestra comprises of some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist, American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Sal NisticoFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist, and many other excellent musicians. American drummer Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Boland co-led The Kenny Clarke / Francy Boland Big BandFind albums by this artist between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPS label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Personally Mathewson’s bass playing on this album is an absolute wonder and alone worth the price of this album, but of course every note played here is simply exceptional. For Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail! 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: 09/08/2021Posted: 08/08/2021

CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ AT HER MAJESTY`S PLEASURE… REARWARD 137 (Barcode: 8018344021379) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2010 This is a reissue / remaster of an album recorded by the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. It was originally recorded in Germany in 1969. The album presents seven tracks, parts of a suite composed and brilliantly arranged by Boland. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPSFind albums on this label label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail!

Updated: 14/06/2025Posted: 14/06/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ EN CONCERT AVEC EUROPE 1 TREMA 3296637104137 (Barcode: 3296637104137) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 1992 This is an archival live album recorded by the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. It was originally recorded in France in 1969 by French TV. The 2CD album presents fourteen tracks, six composed by Boland, two by Clarke, two by other Big Band members and four are standards, all brilliantly arranged by Boland. The sound quality of this release is not perfect, probably since it was originally a live TV broadcast, but the music is exceptional, as always. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist, Derek HumbleFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist, and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist, Art FarmerFind albums by this artist and Idrees SuliemanFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPSFind albums on this label label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail!

Updated: 16/06/2025Posted: 16/06/2025

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ FACES MPS 602527593043 (Barcode: 602527593043) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2011 This is a reissue / remaster of an album recorded by the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. It was originally recorded in Germany in 1968 and released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label the same year. It was the 4th album by the Big Band on MPS. The album presents four lengthy tracks, parts of a suite composed and brilliantly arranged by Boland. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPS label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail! 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: 31/05/2025Posted: 31/05/2025

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ THREE LATIN ADVENTURES (LATIN KALEIDESCOPE / FELLINI 712) MPS 731452909527 (Barcode: 731452909527) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 1995 This is a reissue / remaster of two albums: “Latin KaleidoscopeFind albums with this title” and “Fellini 712Find albums with this title” recorded by the Big Band co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist, originally recorded in 1968 and released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label. The album presents three multi-part Jazz suites: “Latin Kaleidoscope” co-composed by American composer Gary McFarlandFind albums by this artist and Boland, “Cuban Fever” and “Fellini 712” composed by Boland, all arranged by him, which span together the fourteen tracks of the album. The orchestra comprises of some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist and drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist, American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPS label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. The Latin accents, which were very fashionable by the mid-1960s, get a wonderful treatment here, completely eschewing the schmaltzy accents. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. For Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school example of what Big Band music is all about. Brilliant stuff! 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: 16/03/2025Posted: 10/08/2021

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KENNY CLARKE / FRANCY BOLAND BIG BAND ~ TWO ORIGINALS (ALL BLUES / SAX NO END) MPS 731452352521 (Barcode: 731452352521) ~ BELGIUM ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 1994 This is a reissue / remaster of two albums: “All BluesFind albums with this title” and “Sax No EndFind albums with this title” recorded by the international / resident in Europe Big Band, co-led by American drummer / bandleader Kenny ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Belgian pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Francy BolandFind albums by this artist. “All Blues” was originally recorded in UK in 1968 and released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label in 1969. It was the 2nd album by the Big Band on MPS. “Sax No End” was originally recorded in Germany in 1967 and released on the legendary SABAFind albums on this label (later MPS) label in 1967. It was the 1st album by the Big Band on MPS. This reissue also adds as a bonus one tracks from the “Fellini 712Find albums with this title” album by the Big Band with a corrected mix. The album presents altogether fifteen tracks with both original albums and the bonus, which are mostly original compositions by Boland, including the three-part “All Jazz” suite, all also brilliantly arranged by Boland. The Big Band includes some of the best European Jazz musicians active at the time, like British saxophonists Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Jimmy DeucharFind albums by this artist and Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist and many American expatriates: saxophonists Sahib ShihabFind albums by this artist and Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Benny BaileyFind albums by this artist and many other excellent musicians. Clarke and Boland co-led the Big Band between 1960 and 1972, which was one of the most formidable European Jazz Big Bands with an extensive recording legacy, with several notable releases also on the MPS label. Boland composed and arranged for the most important American Jazz Big Bands in the 1950s, like those of Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist, Woody HermanFind albums by this artist and Count BasieFind albums by this artist, before returning to Europe and starting his work with legendary German Big Band leader Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz idiom, but the sublime arrangements make it absolute timeless and distinctly different from the American Jazz Big Band tradition, with a much more complex orchestral sound and refined European aesthetics. There are plenty of wonderful soli by the orchestra members, as expected, but as usual in the European Big Band environment, the accent is on the entire orchestra sound, with the soloing being mostly the icing on the cake. Every note played here is simply exceptional. Overall, for Big Band / Orchestral Jazz fans this album is an absolute must of course, a true school book example of what Big Band music is all about. Holy Grail! 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: 16/03/2025Posted: 16/03/2025

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MICHAEL GARRICK ~ PROMISES VOCALION 8440 (Barcode: 765387844028) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2008 Following the release of “October WomanFind albums with this title”, British pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist and his quintet were asked to record a new album soon after. Unfortunately the original quintet member, trumpeter Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist, left UK to join the Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist’s radio Big Band in Germany – one of the best Jazz Orchestras on the continent – where he was to stay for the next four years. Garrick swiftly recruited a replacement, turning to his “half boss” (in the Don RendellFind albums by this artist / Ian CarrFind albums by this artist quintet) trumpeter Ian Carr to step into Keane’s shoes with a few days notice just before the recording. Since his writing was becoming more complex and elaborate, Garrick also expanded his quintet into a sextet with the addition of saxophonist / clarinetist Tony CoeFind albums by this artist. Legendary saxophonist Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, bassist Coleridge GoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin BarnesFind albums by this artist, the original quintet members, completed the lineup. The album includes all original music, composed by Garrick, with the exception of one arrangement of a George GershwinFind albums by this artist tune. Of the 10 tracks present, 7 are played by the sextet and 3 by a piano trio, where bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist replaces Goode. The music is absolutely marvelous, with Garrick’s writing reaching maturity and self-confidence. The performances are stellar, with Harriott playing perhaps more beautifully than on any other album. The entire album is complete uninterrupted musical bliss from start to finish and a remarkable example of early European Jazz of the highest quality. Even the most dedicated Garrick followers will have to admit that this is definitely one of his best achievements, a magic moment captured for posterity for us to enjoy and revere. Essential stuff!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

DIETER REITH ~ KNOCK OUT MPS 4029759097396 (Barcode: 4029759097396) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1974 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by German keyboardist / composer Dieter ReithFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with Jamaican saxophonist Wilton GaynairFind albums by this artist and three American expatriates living at the time in Germany: bassist Dave KingFind albums by this artist, drummer Todd CanedyFind albums by this artist and percussionist Sabu MartinezFind albums by this artist. The quintet performs four original compositions, three by Reith and one by Gaynair. Stylistically the music is a beautiful example of European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which flourished at the time in Germany, with a strong Funk and Groove emphasis. The extended performances, all close to or over ten minutes long allow for plenty of opportunity for solos, mostly featuring various keyboards and the saxophone, which uses electronic devices to change its sound. The rhythm section is very versatile and technically brilliant, driving this music very skillfully. Reith displays truly virtuosic abilities playing a wide variety of keyboards and his melodies and funky groove are one of a kind. Reith, who is primarily known as the keyboardist of German Big Bands / Orchestras, like the SWF Big BandFind albums by this artist, Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist´s Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist Orchestra and others, displays here his more personal project, which focuses on his abilities as a player and composer. This album lost nothing of its charm and beauty over time and is a wonderful trip down the memory lane, back to times when music was all about music and not trickery. Considering it was unavailable for decades this reissue is a true blessing. 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: 05/07/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend