Record Reviews

PAUL DUNMALL ~ DEEP FMR 03 (Barcode: 649849983138) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008 This wonderful DVD opens a window into the world of British premiere Jazz / Improvising Music contemporary musician, saxophonists / composer Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist. It tells us his life´s story, his musical philosophy and his influences, using numerous interviews with his musical partners, as well as numerous live performances. The list of performing and / or interviewed musicians reads like an encyclopedia of contemporary music and is not only highly educational, but fascinating and intellectually challenging. A wonderful document, which should be indispensible for any enthusiast of contemporary Free Jazz and Improvised Music!

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PAUL DUNMALL ENSEMBLE ~ IT`S A MATTER OF FACT DISCUS 148 (Barcode: 5051078002125) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023 This is an album by the octet led by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, which also includes vocalist Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Charlotte KeeffeFind albums by this artist, trombonist Richard FooteFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steven SaundersFind albums by this artist, bassist James OwstonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim BashfordFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The music, although obviously very spontaneous and Free Jazz oriented, is based on solid compositions, which even swing happily, when given a chance. The tracks are pretty long, which means there is plenty of opportunity for spirited improvising by the ensemble members, who play in solo, duo trio and every other imaginable configuration, in addition to their performances as the octet. These are some of the finest British Free Jazz improvisers, which means that there is not a dull moment herein. Of course, the fact that Julie Tippetts is part of the lineup constitutes the proverbial cherry on top. It’s great to hear her incredible vocal pyrotechnics as part of a large ensemble, a superb reminiscence of her work in such circumstances with Keith TippettFind albums by this artist’s large / gigantic ensembles in the past. Although she sings mostly vocalese and improvised voice parts, there are occasional lyrics, which I assume she was the author of, although noting is mentioned about it on the album’s artwork, which BTW features some beautiful wood engravings by Dunmall and Pete Lawrence. Overall, this is a wonderful, highly spirited and superbly played / improvised album by this first class team, which is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish. It is also a proof that Free Jazz can be elegant / environment friendly and listenable by a much wider audience than usually assumed. Dunmall keeps the torch burning and Julie Tippetts lost nothing of her charm over time, which is heartwarming, since ay our age the time passing by can be merciless with friends disappearing on a daily basis. Thanks to Martin Archer, the spiritus movens of the DiscusFind albums on this label label, which ceaselessly releases non-trivial music, against all odds, for which we are eternally grateful.

Updated: 10/05/2023Posted: 10/05/2023

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PAUL DUNMALL QUINTET ~ YES TOMORROW DISCUS 134 (Barcode: 5051078993423) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2021 Released: 2022 This is an album by veteran British Jazz / Improvised Music icon, saxophonist / composer Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, and his quintet, which also includes guitarist Steven SaundersFind albums by this artist, trombonist Richard FooteFind albums by this artist, bassist James OwstonFind albums by this artist and drummer Jim BashfordFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. Considering the fact that Dunmall is one of the most prolific British Jazz musicians, with a vast discography to his credit, this album is even more surprising than one might expect, since in contrast to his mostly Improvised Music ventures, this album is almost “tame” and “well behaved”, emphasizing his compositional skills, rather than his improvisational eccentricity. But on the other hand this is still Free Jazz by all means, with extensive improvisations and all, but it is also way more “listenable” and acceptable to a larger audience that most of his recordings. Described by Dunmall himself as “a guitarist’s album”, the role of the guitar here is certainly crucial, building the connecting tissue of the entire affair, with the horn section on one pole and the rhythm section on the other. With strong Blues, Funk and even Rock hints incorporated within the music, the guitar riffs are an essential ingredient within the bubbling sonic mixture. The quintet manages to achieve a much “larger” effect, often sounding almost orchestral, when the music becomes most intensive. But there are many delicate passages of solo performance, like the superb solo bass parts, or intimate duets; in short never a dull moment. The age differences between the leader and his companions seem to disappear completely, in the heat of the moment. Overall, this is a wonderful album, full of excellent music and sublime performances by all participants, which manages to open the Free Jazz / Improvised Music idiom to a wider audience, without any Artistic compromise, simply by being undeniably creative, coherent and honest. Jazz lovers, who would instinctively not plunge into music labeled as such, are wholeheartedly invited to give it a try this time – you won’t regret it. Of course there is no need to convince those already won over.

Updated: 16/10/2022Posted: 16/10/2022

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PAUL DUNMALL / PAUL RODGERS ~ REPERCUSSIONS FMR 277 (Barcode: 786497181322) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2009 Saxophonist Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist and bassist Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist are perhaps the two most active and creative players on the contemporary British Avant-Garde Jazz scene, who are still actively expanding the Jazz and Improvised Music idiom. This live recording of the duo is a splendid example of modern music, completely devoid of any preconceptions, limitations and musical boundaries – just pure power of expression, virtuosity and imagination. Dunmall plays soprano saxophone, clarinet and bagpipes, changing intonation and mood without hesitation, with Rodgers responding amicably with his incredible bass work. Both these musicians have already a sizeable recorded legacy released by the splendid FMR label, and this new addition is yet another cornerstone of their collective cathedral of modern music. Although not for a casual listener, this wonderful piece of music will delight any serious Avant-Garde music enthusiast. Not to be missed!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

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KEITH TIPPETT ~ THE MONK WATCHES THE EAGLE DISCUS 102 (Barcode: 5051078984025) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2020 This is a sensational archive album by British Jazz pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, which presents a live recording of his composition for large choir, solo voice and a two saxophone quartets, with lyrics by Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist. The work was commissioned for the 2004 edition of the Norwich and Norfolk Festival and was premiered that year at the Norwich Cathedral where it was also recorded for broadcast by the BBC. Tippett conducted the performance, which included Julie Tippetts on solo vocals, the BBC SingersFind albums by this artist choir, an improvising saxophone quartet comprising of Paul DunmallFind albums by this artist, Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, Ben WaghornFind albums by this artist and Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, and also the Apollo Saxophone QuartetFind albums by this artist. The music is every bit as innovative, far-reaching and groundbreaking as the rest of Tippett´s musical legacy and this posthumous release expands even further the scope of his musical vision, which encompassed enormous variety of works between solo piano music to extremely large ensembles like CentipedeFind albums by this artist or smaller ensembles like ArkFind albums by this artist, and stylistically spanning various Avant-Garde sub-genres between Improvised Music, via Free Jazz to contemporary Classical Music, rubbing shoulders with Progressive Jazz and Art Pop. Most of the body of this work is performed by the choir, which often sounds like an instrument rather than a choir, resembling choral works of 20th Century Classical composers like Henryk GoreckiFind albums by this artist, György LigetiFind albums by this artist and Krzysztof PendereckiFind albums by this artist to mention just the most audacious ones. When accompanied by the saxophone quartets, one supporting the music harmoniously and the other spicing the proceeding with intensive improvisations, the music offers several climaxes, which mark the transitions between the consecutive sections of the entire composition. It is not surprising to see Julie Tippetts taking a major part in this project, like she did in so many of his endeavors over the years. Her vocal performances are the focal point of this music and her improvised soloing should remind everybody of her incredible abilities from the first moment she arrived on the music scene as a Pop star and throughout her transformation as a highly idiosyncratic Avant-Gardist. The presence of Dunmall and Biscoe, two of the British Jazz most significant veteran saxophonists, adds additional quality to the rich tapestry of sounds and aural stimuli. Overall this album is an absolutely essential piece of the puzzle, which Tippett managed to create during his lifetime, and perhaps even one of the most inspired of his works. As usual Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist and his DiscusFind albums on this label label manage to bring an essential piece of the British Culture back to life, saving it from the imprisonment in the darkness of the BBC vaults (God bless them for recording the music), with a lot of help from Julie. This album is an absolutely essential piece of music in any serious music collection!

Updated: 13/11/2020Posted: 13/11/2020

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