Record Reviews

JIMMY GIUFFRE ~ THE COMPLETE REMASTERED RECORDINGS ON BLACK SAINT & SOUL NOTE CAM JAZZ 1016 (Barcode: 8052405140425) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 - 1993 Released: 2012 This superb Box Set collects all the albums recorded by the legendary American clarinetist / saxophonist / composer Jimmy GiuffreFind albums by this artist on the twin Italian independent labels: Black SaintFind albums on this label and Soul NoteFind albums on this label. Giuffre needs no introduction to any serious Jazz connoisseur; suffice to say that his prolific output and a career stretching over five decades is a superb example of an Artists constantly developing and changing his perspective on his Art form. In his early days Giuffre played Swing and later on Cool, but since his revolutionary 1960s recordings he entered the Free Jazz realm, contributing some of its most interesting moments. The music included here includes three of his late recordings in a quartet with keyboardist Pete LevinFind albums by this artist, bassist Bob NieskeFind albums by this artist and drummer Randy KayeFind albums by this artist. The fourth album is in a trio format with legendary pianist Paul BleyFind albums by this artist and no less legendary bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist, closing the circle of the early 1960s trio they played in together. Remastered, mini-sleeved, and with a great bargain price – this Box Set an absolute must for any serious Jazz collector. Side Note The Italian independent record label Black SaintFind albums on this label was founded by the music critic / author / producer Giacomo PellicciottiFind albums by this artist in 1975. It was taken over by the producer Giovanni BonandriniFind albums by this artist in 1978 and a year later (1979) a sister label, called Soul NoteFind albums on this label, was established. The twin labels were run by Giovanni and later his son Flavio BonandriniFind albums by this artist, until they were sold in 2008 to the Italian KEPACH Music Group, which already owned the CAM JazzFind albums on this label label, and which also bought another Italian independent record label Dischi Della QuerciaFind albums on this label. The mission of the Black Saint / Soul Note labels was to record and document the Free Jazz / Improvised Music / Avant-Garde scene, mostly from the US but also from Europe, which continued between mid 1970s and late 1990s and produced a staggering collection of almost 550 albums recorded by world's most important Jazz innovators active at the time, providing an opportunity to American (mostly Afro-American) musicians, who would have never managed to make these recordings at home, ridden by racism, alienation and closed-mindedness. Without these two labels most of this fantastic human creativity would have been never documented. However, the Black Saint / Soul Note Box Sets produced under the CAM JazzFind albums on this label moniker are an archetypal example of how good intentions turn sour. Although these new editions often bring back to life some of the best music ever made on this planet, which in many cases has been lost in the tides of time and was unavailable on the market for ages, they suffer from an unforgivable disregard to the essence of cultural values and general sloppiness, contrary to human decency, which requires us to treat our cultural legacy with respect and loyalty. These Box Sets have no booklet which presents researched historical background and exact discographical information of the albums included, and most importantly an overview of the music and its meaning and contribution to the Jazz Art form. Although the original LP sleeves are reproduced, the information is in most cases too small to be readable at all. In short the fact that these Box Sets are meant to be inexpensive, does not mean that they have to be cheap!

Updated: 12/04/2020Posted:

CD 4 Digisleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

LEW SOLOFF ~ LITTLE WING BELLAPHON 4003099899025 (Barcode: 4003099899025) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1991 Released: 1992 This is an album by American trumpeter / composer Lew SoloffFind albums by this artist, recorded in a septet setting with trombonist Ray AndersonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Gil GoldsteinFind albums by this artist and Pete LevinFind albums by this artist, bassist Mark EganFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenwood DennardFind albums by this artist and percussionist Manolo BadrenaFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, six of which are original compositions by the septet members, one is a standard and one is an arrangement of the classic composition by Jimi HendrixFind albums by this artist, which give the album its title. Soloff is primarily known as the lead trumpeter and founding member of the legendary Brass Rock ensemble Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist, but he was very active on the Jazz scene as well, playing with Gil EvansFind albums by this artist, Carla BleyFind albums by this artist, Mingus Big BandFind albums by this artist and many others. His recording legacy is rather limited, with just eight albums to his credit, but he plays on dozens of album by others. His high-pitch virtuosic trumpet notes were his trademark, with very few other Jazz trumpeters able to compete in that department, but he was also a wonderful melodic player and his solos are truly heart-melting. Personally I have always had a soft spot for his superb performances since I’ve heard him first with BS&T, and I tried to follow his solo recordings, which sadly are quite difficult to find. Overall, this is an almost unknown album, which is a superb example of Soloff virtuosity and a great piece of Jazz-Funk Fusion, which deserves a much wider recognition. If you are able to put your hands on a copy, don’t think twice for even a second, as it is a true gem!

Updated: 04/06/2026Posted: 04/06/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend