Record Reviews

ERWIN VANN ~ WORLDS J.A.S. (Barcode: 5425001210039) ~ BELGIUM ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1995 - 1998 Released: 1998 This is an album by Belgian Jazz saxophonist / composer Erwin VannFind albums by this artist recorded with a superb international team which includes British vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Belgian keyboardist Michel HerrFind albums by this artist and drummer Dre PallemaertsFind albums by this artist, American guitarist Pete McCannFind albums by this artist and bassist Lindsey HornerFind albums by this artist, a couple of percussionists, a string quartet and a choir. The album presents eight original compositions, all by Vann, four of which feature lyrics written by Winstone. The music is beautifully melodic modern European Jazz, with obvious British Jazz tinge (well, Wheeler & Winstone) and World-Music influence, superbly arranged using the entire wealth of the instruments, string quartet and choir, but allowing the sublime vocal parts by Winstone to be clearly heard and undisturbed by the intense instrumental and vocal backing. Her vocals are, as always mesmerizing and deeply moving, which of course hardly surprising. The instrumental work is stunning and Wheeler gets extensive soloing parts, where his trumpet magic to be distinctly heard, and which turns this album into an absolute gem, sadly little known to his many followers. Vann also plays superbly and his melancholic / lyrical solo parts are all excellently fitted to the context. The rhythm section supports the soloists with grace and precision, without being obtrusive and the percussionists ornament the proceedings with an exotic feel, again subtly and delicately in order to allow the listener focus on the soli. The album offers over an hour of diverse and intense musical experience, which requires attentive listening but is not overbearing at any time and flows smoothly from one tune to another. Most of the compositions are slow and contemplative, with a reflective mood, which takes the listener on a dreamy musical journey of exploration. Overall this is wonder album, full of superb compositions and extraordinary performances, which is criminally little known to European Jazz connoisseurs and deserves to be re-discovered a quarter of a Century after it was created. For Wheeler and Winstone fans this is an absolute must have of course. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 07/08/2020Posted: 07/08/2020

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

VARIOSPHERES ~ LIVE IN SOLOTHURN ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT FOUNDATION 2 (Barcode: 5907222048016) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 Released: 2017 This is an archival release of a live recording by the European quartet VariospheresFind albums by this artist, led by the legendary late Polish Jazz violinist Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist, which also included Belgian pianist Michel HerrFind albums by this artist, Swiss bassist Hans HartmannFind albums by this artist and Polish drummer Janusz StefanskiFind albums by this artist. They perform six compositions, four of which were composed by Seifert, one by Herr and the remaining one is unidentified. Variospheres, which existed actually in two different lineups, was Seifert vehicle for European touring and of course part of his personal development as a composer and a player. Recorded in January of 1976 this live performance was a beginning of a hyperactive period in Seifert´s life. In that year alone he recorded albums with Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist ("SpringfeverFind albums with this title" for AtlanticFind albums on this label) and Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist ("Helen 12 TreesFind albums with this title" for MPSFind albums on this label) and his first album as a leader ("Man Of The LightFind albums with this title" for MPS) as well as his solo violin album ("Solo ViolinFind albums with this title" for EMIFind albums on this label which was released only a couple of years later). Sadly that year also brought the discovery of his illness, which took his life just three years later. The music is typical of the modern European Jazz of that period, which was heavily involved in post-Coltrane Free improvisation and constant search of new forms of expression. The European scene, on both sides of the Iron Curtain, was buzzing with incredible productivity and discovery, and Seifert and his quartet represent the atmosphere of the period perfectly. Although the sound quality of this recording is far from perfect, it manages to bring forward the incredible intensity of the music and the total involvement from the musicians. Seifert and Herr deliver lengthy fiery solos and the rhythm section supports the music and drives it ahead, both during the more swinging parts as well as during the freely improvised parts. Seifert´s incredible compositions are always a delight. The importance of the fact that this music is finally seeing a release, over forty years after it was recorded, is enormous. It adds to Seifert´s relatively limited recorded legacy and sheds light on a very interesting period in European Jazz, which is always more than welcome. For the numerous Polish Jazz and Seifert´s music connoisseurs this is an obvious must, and we should all be grateful to the Zbigniew Seifert FoundationFind albums on this label, run by the incredible Aneta NorekFind albums by this artist, who is also the author of the excellent Seifert´s biography, for faithfully bringing Seifert´s legacy into the limelight!

Updated: 22/06/2018Posted: 03/01/2018

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend