Record Reviews

RANDY BRECKER & MATS HOLMQUIST / UMO ~ TOGETHER MAMA 1056 (Barcode: 734956105624) ~ SWEDEN ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is a wonderful Big Band Jazz album, which features American trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, Swedish composer / arranger / conductor Mats HolmquistFind albums by this artist and the Finnish UMOFind albums by this artist Jazz Orchestra. The album presents nine tracks, five of which are composed and arranged by Holmquist, three are composed by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and arranged by Holmquist and one is a standard arranged by him. UMO Jazz Orchestra has been one of my favorite Big Bands since forever and the performances captured here affirm this lasting admiration. Brecker solos brilliantly on each and every track, sharing soloing duties with other UMO band members and the Orchestra plays like one organic body, despite the fact that the players are constantly rejuvenated with “new blood” from the local Finnish scene. Holmquist compositions and arrangements are a quintessential amalgam of the American Big Band tradition and the European Orchestral Jazz approach, where the sound is meant to be organic as an ensemble rather than just soloist supported / accompanied by an orchestra. The music is all within the mainstream Jazz boundaries, highly melodic and perfectly organized both harmonically and rhythmically, but the sound is modern and the performances heartwarming, creating a superb listening experience. The Corea pieces offer a new perspective on his compositions, which alone are worth the price of the album. Overall, this is an excellent, although somewhat conservative Big Band album, which is honey on the ears of Orchestral Jazz lovers. Brecker fans will find him in top form of course, playing in different moods, which is always highly rewarding. Heartwarming music for warm summer nights (or winter nights by a fireplace). Delightful!

Updated: 05/03/2022Posted: 05/03/2022

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