Record Reviews

CMC ENSEMBLE ~ CONTRA PUNCTA LOSEN 185 (Barcode: 7090025831850) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is an album by the Italian CMC EnsembleFind albums by this artist, comprising of music students led by their teacher / saxophonist Nicola PisaniFind albums by this artist. After the group won a contest for young musicians, a decision was made to record an album and two older musicians were invited to strengthen the lineup: the French tuba player Michel GodardFind albums by this artist and Italian trumpeter Marco SanniniFind albums by this artist. The young members of the ensemble are: vocalist Erica GagliardiFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Francesco CaligiuriFind albums by this artist, pianist Giuseppe SantelliFind albums by this artist, bassist Carlo CiminoFind albums by this artist and drummer Giacinto MaiorcaFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original compositions, three by Pisani, two each by Godard and Sannini and one each by Santelli, Maiorca and Cimino. The music is quite versatile, displaying typical European Jazz characteristics, with strong melodic themes, influenced by Classical and Word Music. All the compositions are quite complex, using several melody lines and frequent tempo changes, odd meters and other tricks of the trade to make the music fascinating and unpredictable. The compositions by the students stand easily on the same level to those by their Masters. The performances are all heartfelt and enthusiastic, creating an ensemble sound rather than a group of individuals playing together. The use of vocalese as one of the instruments is very effective and creates a unique sound experience for the entire ensemble. Godard´s tuba is also a refreshing addition. Cimino is a great bass player, who manages to hold the ensemble together and Caligiuri´s baritone saxophone solos are one of the highlight of this album. This album is a great example of the vitality of the young generation of European Jazz musicians all over the Continent, which manages to find new ways of expression and to push the boundaries of the Jazz idiom constantly. Overall this is an unusual and interesting album, which is definitely worth of being investigated!

Updated: 11/02/2018Posted: 11/02/2018

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KLAUS KONIG ORCHESTRA ~ TIME FRAGMENTS ENJA 8076 (Barcode: 063757807629) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1994 Released: 1994 This is the fifth album by German composer / conductor Klaus KonigFind albums by this artist, recorded with a twelve-piece Orchestra comprising of many top European and American Jazz musicians, including, among others British Jazz trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, French tuba player Michel GodardFind albums by this artist, American violinist Mark FeldmanFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark DresserFind albums by this artist and drummer Gerry HemingwayFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all composed by Konig, which are parts of a suite. This is the fourth installment of a five-suite cycle by Konig. Wheeler took part also in a recording of the third album by Konig, entitled “At The End Of The UniverseFind albums with this title”. Since this is a large orchestral recording, Wheeler’s soloing is perhaps less prominent than on his small group recordings, but are especially important here, in view of Kenny’s love of large ensembles. Both albums seem to be available without much ado. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is an absolutely fascinating European Orchestral Jazz, which offers some melodic themes but the performance is full of very open / Free Form improvisations, which altogether offers a challenging, but highly rewarding listening experience and a great example of the European approach to Big Band music, which is diametrically opposed to the American Tradition. Konig certainly manages to combine the basic elements of the Jazz tradition with contemporary / almost Avant-Garde facets of the genre and the result is simply astounding. His work as a composer is certainly highly unconventional and deserves to be followed, as his recording legacy certainly proves. Overall, this is an excellent modern Big Band / Orchestral Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 27/05/2023Posted: 27/05/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend