Record Reviews

ROLF KUHN ~ FEARLESS MPS 4029759201830 (Barcode: 4029759201830) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2022 Released: 2024 This is the last album by German Jazz icon, clarinetist / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, recorded in July 2022, just a couple of months before his passing in August 2022. The music was recorded with his last quartet, which included German pianist Frank ChastenierFind albums by this artist, bassist Lisa WulffFind albums by this artist, and Columbian drummer Tupac MantillaFind albums by this artist, the same lineup that recorded the previous album “Yellow + BlueFind albums with this title” four years earlier. The Cuareim String QuartetFind albums by this artist performs the string arrangements, added on several tracks, which were recorded posthumously. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Kuhn and three are arrangements of standards. The album offers a stunning sound quality. Despite the fact that Kuhn was ninety-two years old when this music was recorded, his capability, articulation and general Genius was stronger than most other Jazz musicians in Europe, or even worldwide, at the time. His fascinating and immensely productive career is a testament of his talents, which definitely makes him one of the most important European Jazz musicians of all time, and I count myself extremely lucky having the opportunity to know him closely and hearing him performing live many times. Talking to him was like reading a book about Jazz and beyond and I truly miss him very much. The music is, not surprisingly, absolutely exquisite, presenting a delicate and perfectly balanced mixture of tradition and modernism, with the three standards serving as reference points to the romantic side of Kuhn’s clarinet playing, and his original compositions, which are cleverly avant-garde, without sounding like it, offer his incredible forward-thinking approach. His clarinet vocabulary is completely unparalleled, which of course every European Jazz listener knows already, and this particular quartet setting serves as an ideal vehicle to express his genius in full. I have been waiting eagerly for this album, knowing about the recording at the time it was made, and the delay was unnerving. The decision to add the string arrangements, although with only marginal effect of the album as a whole, is also somewhat questionable, and I wonder if Kuhn would have approved of it, although he loved and used string arrangements in his earlier recordings. Overall, this is a breathtaking, monumental album, which offers a superb last chord, a finale of the long and astounding career of Rolf Kuhn – truly fearless Genius.

Updated: 21/03/2025Posted: 21/03/2025

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ROLF KUHN ~ YELLOW + BLUE MPS 4029759127451 (Barcode: 4029759127451) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is a sensational new album on the MPSFind albums on this label label by the veteran German Jazz clarinetist / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, one of the great pioneers of European Jazz, aged 88 at the time of the recording. The album was recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Frank ChastenierFind albums by this artist, young bassist Lisa WulffFind albums by this artist and Columbian (sharing his time between Hamburg and NY) drummer Tupac MantillaFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eleven compositions, six of which are original compositions by Kuhn and five are his interpretations of standards. The music on this album is split between a continuation of the direction found on several previous Kuhn albums released on MPS, which is represented by the original material and a more melodic, relaxed and sentimental approach, which is evident in the interpretations of the standards. The album opens and closes with two standards, which define the musical framework, with the remaining standard is inserted more or less in the middle, creating an interlude between two sets of more complex and open music. This dual and even contrasting approach creates a wonderful tension and diversity within the music, clearly pointing out the fact that genres and stylistic differences in Jazz are its strength. Kuhn´s playing on this album is as lucid, precise and virtuosic as always, which fills my heart with joy. I have had the immense pleasure of hosting Rolf as the resident Artist during the 2017 Singer Jazz Festival, which gave me not only an opportunity to listen to his superb playing in many different settings, but also to catch up on our life´s stories in the last decades, talking for hours on end, lamenting mutual friends now gone and reminiscing about the European Jazz history. His vitality, despite the age limitations, is truly astounding. Of course the other members of the quartet perform superbly as well, moving between the mainstream standard interpretations and highly improvised original material with ease, flair and elegance, typical of European Jazz musicians. This album is an instant classic, a work a great Master, which defines the epitome of Jazz; a right mixture of emotional involvement and intellectual creativity, which Kuhn represents since decades. The mixture of Avant Garde and tradition, created with such great taste, is a rare opportunity to learn how great albums are made. Thank you my dear Friend for this gift of music, which you have so graciously shared with us for so long. God bless!

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 04/08/2018

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LISA WULFF ~ WONDROUS STRANGE LAIKA 4011786183609 (Barcode: 4011786183609) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is the second album by young German bassist / composer Lisa WulffFind albums by this artist and her quartet, which includes saxophonist Adrian HanackFind albums by this artist, pianist Martin TerensFind albums by this artist and drummer Silvan StraussFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Birgid JansenFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks. The album presents ten original compositions, all by Wulff, including the lyrics used in one song. Wulff came to my attention due to her appearance on the last album ("Yellow + BlueFind albums with this title") by my dear friend Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, who always keeps his ears open for talented young musicians. Wulff´s work on that album was beyond reproach and I decided to investigate further. The music on this album is typical contemporary European Jazz, which amalgamates the Jazz tradition with World Music influences and other contemporary music forms. Although melody based, it is open and allows freedom of expression to all the quartet members and leaves enough breathing space for the music to flow beyond rigid structures. The transformation between melodic, swinging parts and freely improvised sections is natural and organic, and shows the maturity and experience of all band members. The scale and diversity of the compositions reflects well on Wulff´s compositional abilities. The quartet´s performances are excellent as well. Obviously Wulff gets relatively more exposure than normally reserved for bass players, but noting too exaggerated. She plays acoustic uprights bass and electric soprano bass guitar, which allow her to change the voicing of her playing from one tune to another. The bass guitar parts often sound groovy, but again all within good taste. Her acoustic performances are definitely my favorite. Both Hanack and Terens play interesting solo parts, as well as contribute collectively in the background when needed. They can be soft and romantic and wild and searching, which of course adds to the diversity and interest. Strauss is a bit too busy at times and too high in the mix to my liking, but that´s a minor point. Jansen sings vocalese on one song and lyrics on another, which add relatively little to the overall context of the album. My only problem with this album is the sound, which is muddled and harsh at times, especially the drum parts, which is not up to par with the usual sound quality of German recordings. Of course it might be just me… Overall this is an excellent piece of music, interesting, sometimes even challenging, and full of great melodies and excellent playing. Definitely something to keep on one´s watch list!

Updated: 01/10/2018Posted: 01/10/2018

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