Record Reviews

DAVID MURRAY ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE VOLUME 3 CAM JAZZ 1042 (Barcode: 8052405142511) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1987 Released: 2016 This superb Box Set collects recordings by the American saxophonist / bass clarinetist / composer David MurrayFind albums by this artist on the Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label labels. It is the third such collection, this time dedicated to recordings made between late 1970s and late 1980s. It includes six albums: "The HealersFind albums with this title" is a duet with pianist Randy WestonFind albums by this artist, "Southern BellsFind albums with this title" is a clarinet quartet with Alvin BatisteFind albums by this artist, John CarterFind albums by this artist and Jimmy HamiltonFind albums by this artist, "InterboogieologyFind albums with this title" is a quintet recording with cornetist Butch MorrisFind albums by this artist, bassist Johnny DyaniFind albums by this artist, drummer Oliver JohnsonFind albums by this artist and vocalist Marta ContrerasFind albums by this artist (on two tracks only), "ChildrenFind albums by this artist" is another quintet recording with guitarist James Blood UlmerFind albums by this artist, pianist Don PullenFind albums by this artist, bassist Lonnie PlaxicoFind albums by this artist and drummer Marvin SmithFind albums by this artist and finally the "Live At Sweet BasilFind albums with this title" Vol.1 and Vol.2 feature the David Murray Big BandFind albums by this artist, which includes eleven musicians and conductor Butch Morris. Murray is considered as one of the most influential and prominent American Jazz personalities and a great master of the saxophone and bass clarinet. He started his career playing mostly Free Jazz but later developed a highly individual style, incorporating many different influences, including World Music, Rock and others, and returning to more traditional Jazz styles. He is one of the most prolific recording artists on the American Jazz scene. Most of the music presented here was composed by Murray and the Box Set reflects the incredible diversity of his music, which crosses genres and instrumental settings. 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!

Updated: 24/06/2020Posted: 24/06/2020

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

NICOLAS SIMION ~ JEU DES GARCONS 7DREAMS 107 (Barcode: 6421966000066) ~ ROMANIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 2009 This is a brilliant early album by Romanian saxophonist / composer Nicolas SimionFind albums by this artist, which was recorded during the time he lived in Vienna. As in the case of many other Jazz recordings, it was very much a spur of the moment decision to record this session taking advantage of the fact that the great American musicians taking part in this recording were in town and agreed to do it. As often under such circumstances, there was little, if any, time to rehearse and yet the willpower, talent, professionalism and mutual respect prevailed, resulting in some superb music to be captured for posterity. The album presents eight original compositions by Simion, recorded by a classic quartet, with pianist Michael CainFind albums by this artist, bassist Lonnie PlaxicoFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter PerfidoFind albums by this artist. Cain and Plaxico were at the time of the recording members of Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist´s group Special EditionFind albums by this artist, which played in Vienna the night before the recording. Perfido, an American resident in Europe, played over the years with all the great European Jazz musicians and was one of Simion´s "regulars" on later dates. Not surprisingly, the performances are simply brilliant from start to finish. Simion displays a great technique and deep melodic lyricism, Cain is, as usual, flying all over the keys with his elegant touch and superb harmonic structures, Plaxico is a towed of strengths and incredible virtuoso and Perfido drives the quartet forward on the up-tempo numbers and gently keeps perfect time on the ballads. Even the sound quality is great, adding to the overall sublime listening experience. The music is predominantly relaxed and beautifully melodic, not losing its lyrical qualities even in the heat of improvisation. The ballads are romantic and deeply moving, with slight touches of folkloristic undertones, so typical of East European composers. Although modern, the music displays a lot of respect towards the Jazz tradition, using it as a basis for further explorations. In many respects it combines the best of the two worlds; European Jazz composition with American performance. Considering the fact that this is another recording from the 1990s, which is being released only now, so many years later, one must wonder how many such treasures Simion still hides in his Transylvanian castle? This music is too good to be hidden, so thanks Nicolas for enabling us to enjoy it and keep up the good work. Delightful stuff!

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