Record Reviews

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ JAZZFEST BERLIN `81 ART OF GROOVE 80187 (Barcode: 885513801876) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 2012 This is a wonderful album by the German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the annual Jazzfest Berlin festival (active continuously since 1964 and still doing very well today) with a dreamy quintet, which also included vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Thomas BettermannFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album consists of seven tracks, five of which are original compositions by Kriegel, one is an original composition by Bettermann and one is en extensive solo by Weber, credited to him of course. Four of the Kriegel´s compositions originate from his album "JournalFind albums with this title", released just prior to this concert appearance and one originates from his "House BoatFind albums with this title" album from 1978. Sadly this is one of the last albums recorded by Kriegel, who died in 2003 (it was released posthumously in 2012). This album also includes a DVD filmed at the concert, which does not include any additional audio material not included on the CD. The quintet displays a very "typical" Kriegel attitude towards Jazz-Rock Fusion, personalizing the European approach, which is based on sophisticated compositions, delicate phrasing, space and freedom which allows for extensive improvisations and multi-layered interplay between the musicians involved. As a result these live versions of the tunes, which originate in studio recordings, are considerably more expressive and are by far longer in duration. There is no doubt that Kriegel was one of the "coolest" guitar players ever; his highly personal style sets him apart from most other guitarists, not only in Europe but worldwide. He played long, relaxed notes, letting them float on the air and settle down delicately straight onto the listener´s soul. There is none of the typical Jazz-Rock Fusion neck-breaking guitar playing a hundred notes per minute; Kriegel was a complete antidote of that approach. This album beautifully portrays the very special relationship Kriegel had with his musical partners. His duets with Schluter are absolutely stunning in their fragility and tenderness, but in fact all the contributions by the quintet members are nothing short of stellar. Weber´s bass is, as always, amazing with its melodious approach and harmonic choices and his solo piece captured here should be taught in music schools as an example of bass playing ingenuity. Bettermann plays a few incredible keyboard solos and Hubner switches skillfully between Free Form ornamentation and precision swing, both performed with equal virtuosity. This is a wonderful document of the European Jazz-Rock Fusion at its best and a superb tribute to Kriegel´s talents and his contribution to music. It is an absolute must for guitar lovers, but all Fusion and Jazz connoisseurs should have a field day with this extraordinary piece of musical history.

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

CD+DVD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VOLKER KRIEGEL ~ JOURNAL MOOD 33.605 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1981 Released: 1986 This is the 12th album as a leader by German guitarist / composer / bandleader Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist, recorded with many of his close musical companions, which included, amongst others multi-instrumentalist Hans Peter StroerFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Wolfgang SchluterFind albums by this artist, bassist Eberhard WeberFind albums by this artist and drummers Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist and Evert FratermanFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven composed by Kriegel, one co-composed with Stroer and one composed by Stroer. Kriegel released ten albums on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label Records label and this was the debut album he released on the MoodFind albums on this label Records label, which he co-owned with Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. Kriegel was one of the finest European guitar players of all time and a superb composer. He was a leader of the German Jazz-Rock Fusion movement since the late 1960s and his recorded legacy, expanded posthumously by previously unreleased studio and live recordings, presents some of the finest European Fusion ever recorded. The music is based and deeply melodic themes, which are expanded by lengthy soli by the participating musicians. Kriegel’s guitar virtuosity and unique sound are immediately recognizable and sadly have very little competition since his tragically premature death in 2003. Overall, this is an absolutely stunning European Fusion album, intelligent, sophisticated and completely free of tedious doodling, which sadly completely ruled in Fusion music by the time this album was recorded. Not easy to find but absolutely essential to all true Fusion lovers and guitar enthusiasts! Side Note MoodFind albums on this label Records, established in 1977 and based in Germany, was a small independent record label founded by European Jazz musicians: German Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Dutch Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. The label was active between 1977 and 2006 and released 78 albums, first on vinyl and later on CD. In 2010 the label released 11 2CD albums with reissues of early vinyl albums. The label was the home label of the four founders, as well as the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Ian CarrFind albums by this artist’s NucleusFind albums by this artist and many other, mostly European musicians. The total output of the label is a superb document of the European Jazz scene between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. Some of these albums are absolutely essential.

Updated: 25/07/2025Posted: 27/05/2025

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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

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ALBERT MANGELSDORFF ~ FOLK MOND & FLOWER DREAM TROPICAL MUSIC 68.861 (Barcode: 764916886126) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1967 Released: 2007 This is a reissue / remaster of an obscure and criminally neglected album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also included saxophonists Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist and Gunter KronbergFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, five of which are original compositions by Mangelsdorff and one by Sauer. The music is insanely brilliant and presents Mangelsdorff and his cohorts at the crucial days of the birth of modern European Jazz, which explodes with originality and intense search of new forms of expression, with Free Jazz / Improvised Music tendencies. Mangelsdorff’s virtuosity as a trombone player was already fully developed by the time this music was recorded, as well as his compositional skills, and the music on this album simply explodes with originality and inventiveness. Nevertheless, he was always a marvelous weaver of brilliant melodic themes, which are the base of the improvisations by the quintet. It goes without saying that the rest of the quintet members were all superbly talented. Overall, this is an absolute gem of early modern European Jazz and a quintessential eye (well, ear) opener as far as the birth of the European Jazz is concerned and the quantum jump it made in reference to the American Jazz tradition. It took me a while to get hold of a copy of if this album, since even after it was reissued, it got very little exposure. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 29/05/2025Posted: 29/05/2025

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

ALBERT MANGELSDORFF QUARTET ~ NEVER LET IT END MPS 602517060029 (Barcode: 602517060029) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1970 Released: 2008 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by German trombonist / composer / bandleader Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, recorded with his all German quartet, which includes some of the finest European Jazz musicians active at the time: saxophonist Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, four composed by Mangelsdorff, two by Sauer and one by Hubner. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist and his original liner notes (albeit only in German) are included on the album’s artwork. Mangelsdorff, and his brother Emil MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, were the pillars of the modern German Jazz scene, which developed rapidly after WWII, both in West and East Germany, peaking in the late 1960s. Germany developed in time as an epicenter of the continental Jazz scene, with huge number of excellent musicians, brilliant club and festival scene and the strongest music recording industry, with legendary labels like MPSFind albums on this label, ECMFind albums on this label, EnjaFind albums on this label and many others, which produced the finest modern Jazz recordings in the world, leaving the US scene far beyond from that time on. Albert Mangelsdorff was one of the most vital figures on that scene and his ever changing groups pushed the Jazz limits at all times. His absolutely unique virtuosity on the trombone changed the role of that instrument to an equally important position in the Jazz ensemble as trumpet and saxophone. I was lucky to meet him and see / hear him play and record on numerous occasions and he always left an enormous impression as a person and a musician. His recorded legacy, which he managed to amass very prolifically, is one of the most important individual European Jazz legacies, which this album proudly represents. The music here presents a perfect amalgam of the Jazz tradition and the rapid development towards modern and Free Jazz. Overall, this is one of the most interesting Jazz albums in European Jazz, despite the fact that it is only known by relatively very few Jazz listeners. I have owned a copy since day one and listened to this album countless times in the almost fifty years since it was released, and each and every time I managed to discover something new in the music. I can only hope some more listeners will discover it one day, although admittedly it is quite difficult to find a copy. 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: 20/07/2024Posted: 20/07/2024

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED SCHOOF ~ RESONANCE ECM 2093/94 (Barcode: 602517804531) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 - 1979 Released: 2009 This album collects music recorded by the quintets led by German trumpeter / composer Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, entitled "ScalesFind albums with this title", "Light LinesFind albums with this title" and "HorizonsFind albums with this title", which were originally released on the JAPOFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of ECMFind albums on this label. The first two are included here in their entirety and the last one is two tracks short, which is a pity, but considering this is the only CD edition of these albums, it´s infinitely better than nothing, especially in view of the quality of the music. Schoof was one of the most important figures on the European modern Jazz scene since the late 1960s and his contribution to the genre is enormous. A brilliant trumpeter and a great composer, he was always in the epicenter of the scene, playing with musicians from many countries as well as leading his own groups. His 1970s quintet, which recorded the three albums included here, was particularly exquisite, playing some of the most intelligent and adventurous, albeit quite melodic and well organized music created at the time. Of course the element of musical freedom is in the centre of the musical creation, as captured on these albums, but it is pre-composed and retains strong melodic continuity. In retrospect these are truly amazing musical achievements, which have not been repeated successfully since. The musicians present here include: bass clarinetist Michel PilzFind albums by this artist, Dutch keyboardist Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist (on the first two albums) and German keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist (on the last one), bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. People familiar with European Jazz scene will of course recognize these names instantly. This is an absolute must to connoisseurs of European Jazz at its absolute best. Stupendous stuff! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Love that bass clarinet (on YouTube - CDs not yet received)

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MANFRED SCHOOF QUINTET ~ LIVE IN BREMEN 1978 MOOSICUS 1316 (Barcode: 885513131621) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2022 This is an archival live album by the great German Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of the modern German / European Jazz. The 2CD album was recorded by Radio Bremen and features Schoof’s second quintet, with bass clarinetist Michel PilzFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, eight of which are extended pieces lasting between ten and twenty minutes. Six of the tracks are original compositions by Schoof, two are by Hubner and one is co-composed by Schoof with two other musicians. Bruninghaus is familiar as a member of Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist´s bands and the Lenz / Hubner rhythm section was, among others, also the first rhythm section of Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist’s quintet. This quintet recorded three albums for the JAPOFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of ECMFind albums on this label, between 1976 and 1979 (“ScalesFind albums with this title”, “Light LinesFind albums with this title” and “HorizonsFind albums with this title”), reissued in 2009 as the Box Set “ResonanceFind albums with this title”, with Dutch keyboardist Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist on the first two albums and Bruninghaus on the third. Much of the material on this live album originates from these albums, but gets an expanded treatment herein. The music is absolutely Godly, a beautiful amalgam of melodic, almost ambient themes with widely improvised Free parts by the bass clarinet, trumpet and piano on top, a brilliant example of the European Jazz aesthetics at its best. The music develops slowly and takes the listener on a hypnotic carpet ride, which is delight incarnate. This was definitely one of the best European Jazz quintets of the late 1970s, and this live album is a perfect companion to the three studio albums mentioned above. Overall, this is a brilliant European Jazz from the late 1970s, with first-class musicians, performing exquisite music, which remains as relevant today as it was at the time. Lovers of bass clarinet will find this jaw-dropping and absolutely essential, but all European Jazz lovers should find this music irresistible. Those German radio stations have so much incredible music in their vaults, and we can be only grateful for labels like MoosicusFind albums on this label for bringing it out on records. A must!

Updated: 26/06/2025Posted: 21/06/2025

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ POLISH RADIO JAZZ ARCHIVES VOL.27 POLSKIE RADIO 2059 (Barcode: 5907812247126) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2016 This is the twenty-seventh installment in the series of releases initiated by the Polish Radio, which presents archive Jazz recordings from the radio vaults. Radio recordings are always a fabulous source of remarkable material, and as far as Polish Jazz history is concerned, the Polish Radio, which was a state monopoly for 45 years, recorded over time a plethora of invaluable material, which apart from the albums released by the Polskie Nagrania record company (also a state monopoly), is the only available additional source of Polish Jazz recordings. For many years Polish Radio recorded concerts presented during Poland´s most important Jazz venues, including the annual Jazz Jamboree Festival and many other festivals as well. The tracks presented here were recorded live in December 1965 during the eighth Jazz Jamboree Festival in Warsaw and are the second volume of a collection of tracks from that event. The first two tracks present a trio led by one of the Godfathers of modern European Jazz, the German pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist with bassist Klaus KochFind albums by this artist and drummer Reinhard SchwartzFind albums by this artist. They perform two original compositions by Kuhn and the performance is one of the earliest examples of European Free Jazz. Kuhn´s performance here is absolutely stunning as everything he played at the time, before he moved from East German to West Germany. The fact that his Free Jazz playing was tolerated by the GDR regime is a fascinating story by itself. More details about his activity around the time this music was recorded ban be found in the review of the Zbigniew NamyslowskiFind albums by this artist´s album "Live At Kosmos, BerlinFind albums with this title", which was recorded just a month earlier. The next four tracks present a quintet led by another Godfather of modern European Jazz, the German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist with saxophonists Gunter KronbergFind albums by this artist and Heinz SauerFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LentzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. They perform three original compositions by Mangelsdorff and one composition by the British trumpeter / composer Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, a great pioneer of modern British Jazz. Although the music performed by the Albert Mangelsdorff quintet is not as Free Jazz oriented as that by Joachim Kuhn, it is a superb of early modern European Jazz, which was already emancipated from the American Jazz influence and clearly showed the new direction being created in Europe. Both these performances show the importance of German musicians as co-creators of early European Jazz. The last track present a sextet led by yet another Godfather of modern European Jazz, the Polish Jazz pianist / composer Andrzej TrzaskowskiFind albums by this artist with American trumpeter Ted CursonFind albums by this artist (who was living in Europe at the time), saxophonists Janusz MuniakFind albums by this artist and Wlodzimierz NahornyFind albums by this artist, bassist Jacek OstaszewskiFind albums by this artist and drummer Adam JedrzejowskiFind albums by this artist. They perform one extended original composition by Trzaskowski. The music is again a stunning example of early modern European Jazz and a great precursor of the explosion of the Polish Jazz scene, which was happening at the time. The beautifully restored sound quality is excellent and the warm ambience of the analog recording is a true joy. As usual with this series, which is very reasonably priced, I miss the presence of "in depth" liner notes / booklet, which should convey the circumstances at which this music was recorded and its importance to the development of Jazz in Poland. Nevertheless this is an absolutely essential piece of Jazz history which every Jazz fan will surely consider an absolute must.

Updated: 03/12/2016Posted: 03/12/2016

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend