Record Reviews

JOHNNY GRIFFIN / HAL SINGER / LESZEK ZADLO / FERDINAND POVEL ~ SWISS RADIO DAYS TCB 02362 (Barcode: 725095023627) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 2013 This is a live archival album, which combines four sessions recorded by the Swiss Radio with a local Swiss rhythm section comprising of German (resident in Switzerland) pianist Klaus KoenigFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter FreiFind albums by this artist and drummers Alberto CanonicoFind albums by this artist, Peter SchmidlinFind albums by this artist or Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and guest musicians: American saxophonists Johnny GriffinFind albums by this artist from 1975, and Hal SingerFind albums by this artist from 1980, Polish Saxophonist Leszek ZadloFind albums by this artist from 1979 and Dutch saxophonist Ferdinand PovelFind albums by this artist from 1978. The first three sessions present one track and the fourth session presents two tracks. Griffin, as expected, plays pretty straightforward mainstream Jazz, but the expanded playing time allows him to display his intensive improvisational abilities. Singer is mostly a Blues traditionalist, and his melodic performance is completely predictable. Zadlo, resident in Germany since 1975, is obviously the most interesting player on this album, pushing the boundaries of modern Jazz and Improvised Music, in the John Coltrane tradition. His fiery performance is convincing and jaw-dropping, and his presence on this album is the real reason why it is worth having a copy of it. Povel, who is an excellent player, very active on the European scene at the time, shows that his performances, although still rooted in Bebop, are way more advanced harmonically than anything originating from across the pond. Overall, due to the presence of Zadlo and Povel, this is a document of the European Jazz scene, especially important since the “Swiss Radio Days” series releases concentrated mostly on visiting American musicians, which seldom contributed interesting material.

Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 11/02/2025

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ALBERT MANGELSDORFF / FRANCOIS JEANNEAU ~ SWISS RADIO DAYS TCB 02222 (Barcode: 725095022224) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1972 - 1979 Released: 2010 This is a live archival album, which combines two sessions recorded by the Swiss Radio with a local Swiss rhythm section comprising of German (resident in Switzerland) pianist Klaus KoenigFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter FreiFind albums by this artist and drummers Peter SchmidlinFind albums by this artist or Pierre FavreFind albums by this artist and guest musicians: German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist from 1972 and French saxophonist / composer Francois JeanneauFind albums by this artist from 1979. Each session presents two tracks, both composed by the guest musician. The Mangelsdorff session is completely freely improvised and magnificently portrays his abilities at the peak of his artistic abilities, with the rhythm section playing along splendidly, despite the fact that this was not their usual modus operandi. Since every second of Mangelsdorff’s performance is an absolute must to every European Jazz enthusiast, these almost forty minutes are a Holy Grail for his many enthusiasts and collectors. The Jeanneau session is shorter and somewhat more tamed, but also shows his him as a magnificent improviser, and one of the finest French Jazz musicians active on the scene since the 1970. His recording legacy offers many magnificent albums, and this rare recording from the early days of his career is an important snapshot of his career. Overall, this is a superb document of the European Jazz scene, especially important since the “Swiss Radio Days” series releases concentrated mostly on visiting American musicians, which seldom contributed interesting material.

Updated: 26/01/2025Posted: 26/01/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend