Record Reviews

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ HOUSE BOAT MPS 4029759097297 (Barcode: 4029759097297) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1978 Released: 2014 This is the eighth album on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label by German guitarists / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, one of the most important pioneering European Jazz musicians, who is also often considered as one of the Godfathers of European Jazz-Rock Fusion. It was recorded with a focus on the guitar / vibraphone interaction (Kriegel´s favorite setting) with vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist and drummer Evert FratermanFind albums by this artist, the last three members of Kriegel´s group at the time called Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Additional musicians include percussionist Elmer LouisFind albums by this artist and a few guests. They perform eight tunes, five of which are original compositions by Kriegel, one each is by Stroer and Bettermann and the remaining one is an arrangement of Rock song. The music and the performances are a beautiful example of the "more is less" approach, which is almost never employed in Fusion. Based on wonderful melodic themes and minimal arrangements, this music is all about elegance, subtlety and sophistication. The guitar / vibraphone exchanges are all pure delight, as are all other solo parts on this album. The overall atmosphere and feel of this music is distinctly European, in complete contrast to American Fusion albums, which are mostly all about fast licks and Funky rhythms. Here the mood is relaxed, brilliantly cool and reserved. Kriegel´s sympathy towards the vibraphone goes way back to his early days, as can be heard on the archival "Mainz 1963-1969Find albums with this title" album, which is quite understandable in view of the fact that the vibraphone was more popular in German Jazz than in any other European country with a long list of excellent (albeit much lesser known) vibraphone players. It is still very much true today. Kriegel was not only a virtuosic guitarist, but also a superb composer, as the tunes on this album attest. Listening to this music almost forty years after it was recorded simply states that this music is universal and timeless. It still sounds as beautiful as ever and perhaps even more so in times when hearing high-quality music is a rare event. It is highly recommended to all guitar fans, but also to fans of European Jazz and Fusion, when it was at its peak. Grab it if you can! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 01/02/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ MILD MANIAC MOOSICUS 1310 (Barcode: 885513131027) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1974 - 1977 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the fifth album by the legendary German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, originally released on the MPSFind albums on this label label in 1974 (it was Kriegel’s fourth album for the label). The album was recorded by a quartet called SpectrumFind albums by this artist, same as the title of Kriegel’s debut album for MPS, which also included keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist, with percussionist Peter GigerFind albums by this artist appearing as a guest. The album presents six original compositions, five by Kriegel and one co-composed by the quartet members. This new remastered edition adds five bonus tracks recorded three years later (1977), all recorded live. One is a TV appearance and the rest are from a concert performance by the Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, Kriegel’s group active at that time. The music is a superb example both of Kriegel’s unique genius as a player and composer and the European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which was developing rapidly at the time, on both sides of the Iron Curtain, with Germany as one of its focal points. Kriegel found ideal partners in this wonderful team of German musicians, although his ensembles over the years included often multinational collaborations. The compositions are quite complex and multilayered, requiring very attentive listening in order to be fully appreciated. Kriegel switches between acoustic and electric guitars with ease and elegance, as expected from a true Master and his idiosyncratic stylistic is immediately recognizable to those familiar with his recordings. There is an aura of playfulness and mystique in this music, which makes it completely distinctive from everything that was being done at the time. Kriegel’s tragically premature death in 2003 put an end to his wonderful career as musician and later author and illustrator, but his archives hold some incredible unreleased treasures, like the bonus material on this album (which was previously released on LP), which is being released on the MoosicusFind albums on this label label, which brings great joy of his many followers. Overall this is a superb piece of music, which deserves to be remembered and is an immensely important document of the European Jazz-Rock Fusion legacy, which of course deserves an honorable place in any serious record collection. A must!

Updated: 12/09/2021Posted: 12/09/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ SPECTRUM MPS 4029759124139 (Barcode: 4029759124139) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the second album (and his first release on the MPSFind albums on this label label) by legendary German guitarist / composer Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with a dreamy quintet, which also includes British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, German bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist, Dutch percussionist Cees SeeFind albums by this artist and German drummer Peter BaumeisterFind albums by this artist. It presents seven original compositions, all by Kriegel. It is truly tragic that so many of the greatest musicians in this world are totally unknown to the vast majority of the listeners. Kriegel is one of those undiscovered geniuses, who reached only scarcely few listeners outside of his native country. He begun to play jazz in the early 1960’s on the burgeoning (at that time) Frankfurt jazz scene led by the Mangelsdorff brothers (Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist). At the time this music was recorded European Jazz was already enjoying its fully developed individual voice and the burgeoning German scene was one of its epicenters. Kriegel is credited as the father of the German Jazz-Rock Fusion due to his abundant activities from the late 1960’s on, when his guitar work and incredible compositions made him a leader in that field. He was the guitarist of the Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist, the quartet led by the US Avant-Garde vibraphone player who lived in Germany at that time and later he recorded a series of groundbreaking solo albums as well as albums with his group Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, all recorded for the MPS label. In 1976 Kriegel was one of the co-founders of the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist – Europe’s most important Jazz-Rock outfit for years to come. Kriegel died in 2003 at the age of 59. "SpectrumFind albums with this title" is in retrospect is a monster achievement – surely one of the best Jazz-Rock Fusion albums ever. It also offers a lot of freedom at the improvisational layer. Although incredibly advanced in his musical concepts, Kriegel´s guitar playing is always melodic and crystal clear, even if he flies all over the guitar neck with the speed of lightning. He gets excellent support from his fellow musicians, especially from the superb Taylor, whose work on the electric piano here is simply mind-blowing. Add to this his gorgeous compositions and you have in your hands an album that after you hear it you’ll wander how come you never discovered it earlier? Well, surely better late than never! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 21/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ SPECTRUM MPS 602498086995 (Barcode: 602498086995) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2003 It is truly tragic that so many of the greatest musicians in this world are totally unknown to the vast majority of the listeners. The German guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist is one of those “undiscovered” geniuses, who reached only scarcely few listeners outside of his native country. He begun to play jazz in the early 1960’s on the burgeoning (at that time) Frankfurt jazz scene led by the Mangelsdorff brothers (Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist). He is credited as “the father of Jazz-Rock” on the German scene from the late 1960’s on, when his guitar work and incredible compositions made him a leader in that field. He was the guitarist of the Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist, the quartet of the US Avant-Garde vibraphone player who lived in Germany at that time and later he recorded a series of groundbreaking solo albums as well as albums with his group Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist for the MPSFind albums on this label label. In 1976 Kriegel was one of the co-founders of the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist – Europe’s most important Jazz-Rock outfit for years to come. Kriegel died in 2003 at the age of 59. "SpectrumFind albums with this title" is Kriegel’s second solo album (and his first album on MPS), and in retrospect is a monster achievement – surely one of the best Jazz-Rock Fusion albums ever. Although incredibly advanced in his musical concepts, his guitar playing is always melodic and crystal clear, even if he flies all over the guitar neck with the speed of lightning. He gets excellent support from his fellow musicians, especially from the superb British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, whose work on the electric piano here is simply mind-blowing. Add to this his gorgeous compositions (he wrote all the music) and you have in your hands an album that after you hear it you’ll wander how come you never discovered it earlier? Well, surely better late than never! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 28/05/2025Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ TWO CONCERTS MOOSICUS 1312 (Barcode: 885513131225) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 - 1990 Released: 2019 This is an archival album presenting live recordings by iconic German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and his bands. The first CD presents a concert recorded in Lagos, Nigeria in 1979 by the Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which included keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist, drummer Evert FratermanFind albums by this artist and percussionist Hans BehrendtFind albums by this artist, expanded with two brass players: saxophonist Wolfgang EngstfeldFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Ulrich BeckerhoffFind albums by this artist. Several local musicians guest on two jam tracks. The band plays three original compositions by Kriegel, one by Stroer, one Brazilian tune and the a.m. two jams. The second CD presents a concert recorded in Bochum, Germany in 1990 by a quintet with Bettermann, saxophonist Christof LauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Michael SchurmannFind albums by this artist and drummer Thomas AlkierFind albums by this artist. They perform four original compositions, two each by Kriegel and Bettermann. Kriegel, who sadly departed way too prematurely in 2003, was one of the most original Jazz / Fusion guitarists on the world scale and one of the most important German Jazz musicians. His albums, most of which were released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label, are all absolute gems and reflect splendidly the development of the local scene. His ensembles always included top German musicians and his compositions were ideal vehicles for the musicians to play their hearts out. His completely unique guitar style remains as one of the unparalleled highlights of European Fusion. This album is one of four releases (so far) of material from Kriegel’s personal archives by the MoosicusFind albums on this label label, which are great historical documents and all offer wonderful musical experiences. Overall, this is a superb album, which offers some of the best European Fusion ever recorded and as such is a must in any serious Fusion collection. For guitar freaks this material is worth its weight in gold. Hopefully, it might bring some young music lovers to discover this true Master!

Updated: 08/04/2022Posted: 08/04/2022

CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend