Record Reviews

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ SPECTRUM MPS 4029759124139 (Barcode: 4029759124139) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the second album (and his first release on the MPSFind albums on this label label) by legendary German guitarist / composer Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with a dreamy quintet, which also includes British pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, German bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist, Dutch percussionist Cees SeeFind albums by this artist and German drummer Peter BaumeisterFind albums by this artist. It presents seven original compositions, all by Kriegel. It is truly tragic that so many of the greatest musicians in this world are totally unknown to the vast majority of the listeners. Kriegel is one of those undiscovered geniuses, who reached only scarcely few listeners outside of his native country. He begun to play jazz in the early 1960’s on the burgeoning (at that time) Frankfurt jazz scene led by the Mangelsdorff brothers (Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist). At the time this music was recorded European Jazz was already enjoying its fully developed individual voice and the burgeoning German scene was one of its epicenters. Kriegel is credited as the father of the German Jazz-Rock Fusion due to his abundant activities from the late 1960’s on, when his guitar work and incredible compositions made him a leader in that field. He was the guitarist of the Dave Pike SetFind albums by this artist, the quartet led by the US Avant-Garde vibraphone player who lived in Germany at that time and later he recorded a series of groundbreaking solo albums as well as albums with his group Mild Maniac OrchestraFind albums by this artist, all recorded for the MPS label. In 1976 Kriegel was one of the co-founders of the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist – Europe’s most important Jazz-Rock outfit for years to come. Kriegel died in 2003 at the age of 59. "SpectrumFind albums with this title" is in retrospect is a monster achievement – surely one of the best Jazz-Rock Fusion albums ever. It also offers a lot of freedom at the improvisational layer. Although incredibly advanced in his musical concepts, Kriegel´s guitar playing is always melodic and crystal clear, even if he flies all over the guitar neck with the speed of lightning. He gets excellent support from his fellow musicians, especially from the superb Taylor, whose work on the electric piano here is simply mind-blowing. Add to this his gorgeous compositions and you have in your hands an album that after you hear it you’ll wander how come you never discovered it earlier? Well, surely better late than never! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 21/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS ART OF GROOVE 80192 (Barcode: 885513801920) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1968 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of the debut album by the German Jazz / Fusion guitar virtuoso / composer Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist. The original album featured Kriegel in a trio setting with bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist and Dutch drummer Cees SeeFind albums by this artist on side A of the LP, and in a quartet setting with Brazilian born resident in Germany vibraphonist Claudio SzenkarFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter BaumeisterFind albums by this artist on side B of the LP. The original album was expanded for this reissue with the addition of seven live tracks recorded at the same period as the studio recording, featuring additional musicians active on the German scene at the time, like American (living in Europe) clarinetist Tony ScottFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Gustl MayerFind albums by this artist, drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist and a few others. The original album includes four original compositions by Kriegel, a couple of Beatles songs arrangements and one traditional piece. Kriegel emerges as an extraordinary guitar player, who despite his young age presents a refined stylistic approach well beyond the ordinary. Although still very much rooted in the Jazz tradition, Kriegel moves away from the mainstream rigidity and pushes into a new territory, pioneering the emerging Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom, which for him is not yet completely crystallized at the time, but already shows highly advanced forward thinking about harmony and rhythmic patterns. As future was about to reveal, these early ideas were about to develop rapidly and Kriegel was about to create some of the most noteworthy European Jazz / Fusion moments in the years to follow. Already at this early stage Kriegel shows his affinity towards the vibraphone, which would become a faithful partner to his guitar throughout his career. The clearly defined sound of the vibraphone is undoubtedly a perfect partner to the precise sounds Kriegel produces on his guitar, using no sound effects or vibrato, with every note being absolutely crystal clear and perfectly articulated. The guitar / vibraphone collaborations Kriegel recorded later on were an integral part of his unique sound, which still remains unmatched decades later. The original compositions show Kriegel´s talent as a composer, which was no less spectacular than his performing abilities. Incorporating ethnic scales, odd meters and unusual melody twists, his music remained distinctive and idiosyncratic till his tragically premature death. He was an intellectual and was nor ashamed to admit it, and a multi-talented artist, which his later life was about to expose, and his music was always both highly emotional and deeply intellectual, with an advanced aesthetic sense of beauty. This is a most welcome reissue initiative, bringing back to life a little know gem of early European Fusion, which surely deserves to be heard by the new generation of music lovers. Although not specified on the albums packaging, the original master tapes were probably remastered, as the sound quality is nothing short of spectacular. Obviously this album is a highly recommended piece of music history, which still bites stronger than most other music made today. Not to be missed!

Updated: 22/04/2016Posted: 22/04/2016

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

EMIL MANGELSDORFF & ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ EARLY DISCOVERIES SWR JAZZHAUS 459 (Barcode: 730099045957) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1953 - 1963 Released: 2018 This is a wonderful archive album by Godfathers of German Jazz, brothers Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (saxophone) and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist (trombone). The 2CD album presents live ad studio recordings from the vaults of the German SWR broadcasting corporation, captured between 1953 and 1963 and produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. The various combos include the who’s who of the pioneering German Jazz musicians of the post WWII era, such as saxophonists Joki FreundFind albums by this artist, Hans KollerFind albums by this artist (Austrian resident in Germany) and Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist, drummer Joe NayFind albums by this artist and many others. The first CD presets twelve tracks recorded by the Albert Mangelsdorff quintet from 1961, which plays four original compositions by Albert Mangelsdorff and eight standards. The music offers the glimpse of how European Jazz musicians interpreted the American Jazz tradition, mostly Bebop influenced, nearing the inevitable departure towards the more advanced modern European Jazz. The second CD presents three tracks by the German All Stars twelve-piece band (with Mangelsdorff brothers as members), all composed by Freund, and one track by the Albert Mangelsdorff / Peter Trunk duo composed by Albert Mangelsdorff, all recorded in 1963. Next come four tracks by the Joki Freund sextet (with Mangelsdorff brothers as members) playing four original compositions by Freund, recorded in 1957. This is followed by a track by the 1956 version of the German All Stars band, followed by another duo track by Albert Mangelsdorff and Hungarian (resident in Germany) guitarist Attila ZollerFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1953. The last three tracks offer a super-rare appearance by the Austrian pianist Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist recorded in 1957, before his departure to the US and world fame. All the music is excellently recorded and offers a superb glimpse at the German Jazz scene at the late 1950s / early 1960s, when the European Jazz scene was making its formative first steps towards the independence from the American tradition, after mastering its trademarks. There is a plethora of wonderful solos and ensemble performances present, as well as examples of Albert Mangelsdorff’s love of the duo format, which dominated his entire career. Overall this is a brilliant document of the era and a must to all European Jazz fans, interested in the history and the process of its development. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 05/04/2021

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ZBIGNIEW SEIFERT ~ LIVE RECORDINGS 1973 & 1976 SWR JAZZHAUS 479 (Barcode: 730099047951) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1976 Released: 2021 This is a sensational archive album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Zbigniew SeifertFind albums by this artist. It presents live recordings from the vaults of the German SWR broadcasting corporation. The first four tracks are performed by a duo comprising of Seifert and legendary German trombonist Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, captured at the 1976 Donaueschingen Musiktage, produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist. Two of the pieces are spontaneously improvised and the other two are composed one each by Seifert and Mangelsdorff. The fifth track, recorded at the 1973 New Jazz Meeting in Baden-Baden, also produced by Berendt (at his home town), finds Seifert as a member of an international Jazz-Rock Fusion sextet with New Zealand (resident in UK at the time) pianist Dave MacRaeFind albums by this artist, Dutch keyboardists Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, who also composed the tune they perform, German bassist Peter TrunkFind albums by this artist and British drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The duo tracks are simply sensational, a beautiful example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom and Improvised Music at its best. Mangelsdorff was already a veteran pioneer of the duo (and solo) formats by that time, but as far as Seifert was concert this is certainly a rare occasion to hear him is such naked intimate setting, although a few months earlier Seifert recorded his solo violin album, which was still unreleased at the time. The sextet track reflects perfectly what Seifert was into at the time, playing and recording with European musicians, who recognized his exceptional talent, and paving his way to the international career he was destined for, which sadly never materialized when his lost his battle with cancer. The SWR vaults are a treasure chest of superb live music, which is being constantly released on records. In this case the material is especially important due to the relatively limited recorded legacy by Seifert, which means that every bit of his music is priceless, especially when recorded at such high sound quality as the music on this album. Overall this is an absolute essential piece of the Polish Jazz recorded history, which dedicated fans will nor willingly miss. But it is recommended to all European Jazz fans since it reveals the incredibly high level of creativity and versatility the genre enjoyed in the 1970s. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 29/12/2023Posted: 31/03/2021

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend