Record Reviews
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  | OREGON ~ 1974
MOOSICUS 1218 (Barcode: 885513121820) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2021
This is an archival live album by the legendary American quartet OregonFind albums by this artist, recorded in Germany by Radio Bremen. It presents the original lineup of the quartet with guitarist Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, oboe and English horn player Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist, bassist Glen MooreFind albums by this artist and percussionist / sitar player Collin WalcottFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents nine tracks, all composed by Towner, most of which are well over ten minutes in duration.
Oregon were undoubtedly one of the most eclectic, unique and revolutionary cross-genre American ensembles, which managed to combine Jazz improvisations with World Music, strongly influenced by Indian music, Classical Music, Avant-Garde and New Age and even Psychedelic and Space elements. The four members of the band were virtuosi on their respective instruments and their collective performances, which I managed to hear in person many times over the years, were simply magical.
Not surprisingly, Oregon achieved acclaim and Artistic recognition predominantly in Europe, where they toured extensively. Following the early years spent with VanguardFind albums on this label Records in the US, they later released their albums on several European labels, including ECMFind albums on this label, IntuitionFind albums on this label and CAM JazzFind albums on this label. The members of Oregon recorded and performed also as solo artists and members of other ensembles.
The music on this album is a wonderful document of the early period of Oregon, and offers a relaxed environment, which inspires the musicians to improvise intensively and extensively on the beautiful themes, which is much different to the same music appearing on the early studio albums. For Jazz-World Fusion enthusiasts this is some of the finest and most sophisticated embodiment of the genre. The enthusiastic audience seems to be well aware of the greatness of the hour.
Overall, this is a superb document of the Artistry represented by one of the finest American Jazz-World Fusion ensembles ever, captured in an ideal aura created by attentive and enthusiastic audience. For the many Oregon followers, this is an absolute must and a true revelation.
| | Updated: 27/12/2022Posted: 27/12/2022 | CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ BEYOND WORDS
CHESKY 130 ~ USA ~ Jazz
Oregon are one of US most important ensembles and one of the first to combine jazz with world and classical music. The superb musicianship of Oregon`s members and their sophisticated taste are a guarantee of quality and intellectual pleasure for the listener. Each of Oregon`s member enjoys successful solo career, but together they are unsurpassed.
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ DISTANT HILLS
VANGUARD 79341 (Barcode: 090204820559) ~ USA ~ Jazz
3rd album from 1973. More of the same outstanding performances and deeply mooving music by the quartet, which dares to go far beyond what was considered jazz at that time with vision and prophetic dedication. This music did not loose any of its freshness and ingenuity over the years.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ FRIENDS
VANGUARD 79370 ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
8th album from 1977 (and their 3rd in the same year!). By that time the group was not only superb in every aspect of musicianship, but also very prolific, producing 3 albums in 1977 and another 3 in the next year. The music is as alwas deeply intertwined with World Music, with emphasis on textures and moods. Similar to many ECM recordings of the same era.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ IN PERFORMANCE
WOUNDED BIRD 0304 (Barcode: 664140030428) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2003
Live recording of Oregon, originally released as a 2LPs album. This is 75 minutes of some of the best music ever performed on stage. All four Oregon members are master musicians in every bone of their body and their skills teamed together as one organic music making organism ist just awsome. They play a selection of tunes spanning their illustrous career to that date in much extended and longer versions. This is breathtaking and spellbounding!
| | | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ MOON AND MIND
VANGUARD 79419 ~ USA ~ Jazz
11th album from 1978 (and third in the same year!). More great improvisations based on World Music themes, with plenty of opportunity for all the players to shine and dazzle, although Oregon was never flashy in nature, the music being very relaxed and introspective. This is music for the soul much more then for the body or the intellect.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ MUSIC OF ANOTHER PRESENT ERA
VANGUARD 79326 (Barcode: 090204820542) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
2nd album from 1972. Oregon formed in 1970 by four brilliant jazz instrumentalists, who played together in the Paul Winter Consort, where they absorbed many non-jazz influences - mainly World Music. The group developed into one of the most important and influential US ensembles, with music reaching far beyond the expected and anticipated. The mixture of jazz improvisations and World Music themes is extremely beautiful.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ VIOLIN
WOUNDED BIRD 9397 (Barcode: 664140939721) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2019
This is a reissue of an album by the American ensemble OregonFind albums by this artist, which comprised of oboist Paul McCandlessFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, bassist Glen MooreFind albums by this artist and percussionist Collin WalcottFind albums by this artist, with legendary Polish Jazz violinist Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, the first of which is a collective improvisation, three are compositions by Towner and one is a composition by Moore.
Oregon, formed in 1970 by the above listed four founding musicians and still existing today (2019), has always been one of the most outstanding, open-minded and pioneering American music ensembles, characterized by its consistent search and exploration of new musical paths, which encompass Improvised Music, Jazz, World Music and Avant-Garde elements. The group enjoyed more appreciation in Europe than it ever did in the US and recorded for several European record labels after the initial stint with Vanguard Records, on which this album was initially released in 1978.
An incidental meeting between the members of Oregon and Seifert, which happened in France, let to their invitation extended to him to record an album together in 1977. Later on, in late 1978, Seifert also took part in the recording of a solo album by Moore. Seifert died in February 1979, aged thirty two, as a result of loosing his battle with cancer, which was one of the greatest tragedies in the Polish Jazz history.
On the album´s artwork Seifert is listed simply as one of the ensemble members, which is also perfectly reflected by the music. He developed an incredible affinity to the Oregon musicians, and the music sounds as if they have been playing as an organic unit since many years. His incredible violin parts blend perfectly with the other instruments, in a truly spiritual sense, way beyond just pure musical connection.
In retrospect this album is an extremely important part of Seifert´s sadly limited recorded legacy and shows him in his absolute prime, when his personal style reached maturity and confidence. It is one of his latest recordings, followed only by his last album "PassionFind albums with this title" and the above mention recording with Moore.
It is great to see this monumental album back in circulation and although a more proper reissue accompanied by extended liner notes would have been welcome, at least the music can be heard again. Of course this is an essential part of any serious Polish Jazz record collection or any refined music collection in general. A must!
| | Updated: 24/12/2019Posted: 24/12/2019 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | OREGON ~ WINTER LIGHT
VANGUARD 79350 (Barcode: 090204820566) ~ USA ~ Jazz
4th album from 1974. Brilliant album by the four multi-instrumentalists who created some of the most original music ever recorded. Collin Walcott plays tabla, sitar and dulcimer. Glen Moore plays bass, clarinet and piano. Paul McCandless plays many reed instruments. Ralph Towner plays some of the greatest acoustic guitar.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | RALPH TOWNER ~ SOLSTICE
ECM 1060 (Barcode: 602517758575) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2008
This is a reissue of the 3rd solo album by American guitarist / pianist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with European musicians: Norwegian saxophonist Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, German bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and Norwegian drummer Jon ChristensenFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, seven composed by Towner and one by Weber. The music was recorded at the legendary Arne BendiksenFind albums by this artist Studio in Oslo, often called the birthplace of ECMFind albums on this label, with Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist presiding behind the console. Kongshaug was the manager and chief sound engineer of the studio between 1967 and 1974, and he is the creator of the iconic “ECM sound” of the early ECM releases.
The music is absolutely magnificent, a sophisticated mixture of influences from different World Music traditions, Scandinavian melancholy and Jazz improvisation, exquisitely performed by these Master musicians. In parallel to his solo recordings, Towner was of course a member of the legendary OregonFind albums by this artist quartet, which created music somewhat similar to what can be heard here, but the European / Nordic influences are much stronger on this album, taking the music into another “orbit”.
Recorded in December of 1974 (50 years ago!), this music is light-years ahead of its time, and reflects the enormous influence that the early ECM albums had both on European and much later also on American Jazz. The incredible freedom the musicians were allowed to pursue, unrestricted by any commercial considerations, created an atmosphere of unlimited creativity, experimentation and milestone development of contemporary music, which lasted for a couple of decades, making a lasting impact, and which ripples can be felt even today.
Towner’s extensive recorded legacy, which spans well over fifty albums as leader and sideman, is a treasure trove of brilliant music and his integrity and immense talent never failed him over the years. I feel privileged for having the opportunity to meet him in person and even having him as a guest in my home.
Overall, this is an absolutely everlasting gem of an album, which stands as a beacon of the early ECM recordings, full of brilliant and touching music, counting every second of its duration. It should be a part of every decent album collection, reaching far beyond any genre classification – it is simply Godly music.
| | Updated: 17/01/2025Posted: 17/01/2025 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | RALPH TOWNER / GARY BURTON ~ MATCHBOOK
ECM 1056 (Barcode: 602567434825) ~ USA ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2019
This is a reissue of the 1st duo album by American Jazz legends guitarist / composer Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist and vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, six composed by Towner, one by Burton and two are standards. The album was recorded at the legendary Studio Bauer in Ludwigsburg, Germany, by the prominent recording engineer Martin WielandFind albums by this artist, who was in charge of recording a large part of the early albums by the ECMFind albums on this label label.
The music reflects perfectly the spirit of the early ECM recordings, on which the music, even when recorded by American musicians, had a distinct European aesthetics and sound. Based mostly on Towner’s beautiful, but quite complex themes, the music allows both musicians to improvise extensively, without losing touch with the underlying melodic themes. Both Towner, with his ensemble OregonFind albums by this artist, and Burton with his various projects, left mainstream American Jazz at the early stages of their careers, exploring many different areas, like World Music, Fusion, Classical influences and other musical avenues, which made them distinct from most American Jazz musicians, and which made ECM to release their music.
The telepathic communication between these two musicians is phenomenal and this album immediately falls into the “Art of the Duo” category. Although seemingly arriving from distant musical backgrounds, their openness to each other ideas is stunning and allows them to create dense and complex dialogues, which sound coherent and accessible despite their complexity.
Overall, this is a brilliant example of the new wave of music introduced by the ECM label at the first decade of its existence, which revolutionized Jazz (and beyond) in every possible aspect, and moved the epicenter of Jazz development across the pond. These two virtuosi are at their prime and this music is absolutely timeless, making this album a classic deserving an honorable place in every serious music collection.
| | Updated: 23/08/2024Posted: 23/08/2024 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend |
  | TRYO ~ CRUDO
MYLODON 007 ~ CHILE ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1997 - 1998 Released: 1998
2nd album by the Chilean Prog band TryoFind albums by this artist, which is considered as one of the most interesting South American groups. Tryo are in fact two distinct entities in one – an electric trio (guitar / bass / drums) and an acoustic trio (acoustic guitar / cello / percussion), playing two quite distant types of music. The electric version plays superb complex music fairly similar to late King CrimsonFind albums by this artist or the Swedish band AnekdotenFind albums by this artist. Heavy, somewhat distorted guitar and odd rhythm patters are the main characteristics. In complete contrast the acoustic version plays serene, delicate music, complex as well but melancholic and subdued, somewhat similar to OregonFind albums by this artist or another Swedish band Isildurs BaneFind albums by this artist. On this album the electric trio is documented performing live, while the acoustic trio provides a set of studio recorded tracks, which constitute the second part of the album. This is music of the highest caliber, not easy listening but a highly rewarding musical experience. Highly recommended.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | WEATHER REPORT ~ I SING THE BODY ELECTRIC
COLUMBIA 512897 (Barcode: 5099751289722) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 1997
2nd album by the first jazz super group Weather ReportFind albums by this artist, formed by ex-Miles DavisFind albums by this artist group members Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist (sax) and the Czech bass virtuoso Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist. Vitous was asked to join the Miles Davis group in 1970, but for various reasons this didn’t work out. Instead he approached two of the group members and proposed to form a new group, which would continue the revolutionary new direction Miles was following (later to be named Jazz-Rock Fusion) and expand it into new territory. Zawinul and Shorter, both being at a crossroads at the time after leaving the ensembles they played in, agreed and Weather Report was born. Following the release of their eponymous album in 1971 the group embarked on several European and Japanese tours. In November of 1971 WR entered the NYC CBS studios to record material for their second album. These sessions were interrupted by another Japanese tour, during which a legendary album called Live In TokyoFind albums with this title was recorded on January 13, 1972. The live album was released as a double LP immediately, but due to the usual corporate bullshit the release was intended for the Japanese market only, and it stayed this way for almost thirty years (it was released finally on CD in Europe in 2001), making the album unobtainable to most WR fans outside Japan. Well, not entirely, as heavily edited excerpts of this recording found their way to the B side of I Sing The Body ElectricFind albums with this title, in addition to the a.m. November studio recordings on side A. As usual with WR, personnel changes started already at this early stage and in the cause of the very few months since the recording of the debut album the original WR drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist was replaced by Eric GravattFind albums by this artist and original percussionist Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist was replaced by another Brazilian Master Don Um RomaoFind albums by this artist. More importantly however, the music of the band changed also quite dramatically. The debut album was an all-acoustic affair and here we have Zawinul using electric piano, modulators and other electronic devices, which eventually would dominate the WR sound. The overall sound is now almost identical to the Miles Davis In A Silent WayFind albums with this title / Bitches BrewFind albums with this title sessions. On the studio sessions WR used several guest musicians, notably the superb guitarist Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist (from OregonFind albums by this artist) on the classically influenced piece called The Moors and an extended brass session and vocals on the ominous anti-war piece called Unknown Soldier (remember the Doors?). This album is a timeless masterpiece and a cornerstone of Jazz (in general) and Fusion (in particular), providing a wonderful introspective peek at the most interesting (regardless of genre) period in the history of 20th Century music. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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