Record Reviews

OLAF KUBLER & JAN HAMMER TRIO ~ TURTLES ENJA 9512 (Barcode: 063757951223) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007 This is an archival live album by German saxophonist Olaf KublerFind albums by this artist recorded with two young (at the time) Czech Jazz musicians, who just escaped from Czechoslovakia following the Soviet Pact invasion of the country, keyboardist Jan HammerFind albums by this artist and bassist Jiri MrazFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. George MrazFind albums by this artist) and Dutch drummer Cees SeeFind albums by this artist. German drummer Michael DennertFind albums by this artist plays on two tracks. The music was recorded at the legendary Munich’s Jazz Club “The Domicile”, which was an epicenter of the German / European Jazz and a mecca for international Jazz between 1965 and 1981. The two Czech refugees lived in the musician’s rooms above the club for several months, before they emigrated to the US. The album presents ten tracks, two of which are originals by Kubler, three are originals by Mraz, one an original by Hammer and the remaining four are standards. The music is typical modern European Jazz of the late 1960s, mostly Bebop based but featuring original compositions. Although pretty young at the time, both Czechs prove to be excellent players already, which explains their smooth and immediate integration into to top US scene, following their arrival there. The original compositions are all as strong as the standards. But of course the album is first and foremost a genuine piece of Jazz history of the turbulent, but highly interesting times. Personally it immediately strikes the fabulous memories of the many nights I had the opportunity to spend at “The Domicile”, watching the modern European Jazz during its formative years. Considering the fact that the music was recorded at rather Spartan conditions, the sound quality / clarity is quite remarkable, and the remastering presents all the nuances of the music in perfect condition. Overall, this is a remarkable document of the European Jazz history in one of the epicenters of its development. For people familiar with Hammer’s Fusion explorations, his acoustic piano work here should be a revelation. Mraz was already a great bassist then, and remains so to this very day. This is a great little gem, sadly often overlooked and definitely worth an honorable place in any serious record collection.

Updated: 30/05/2023Posted: 30/05/2023

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend