Record Reviews
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  | PETER HERBOLZHEIMER ~ HIP WALK – THE COMPLETE POLYDOR RECORDINGS
POLYDOR 602547650023 (Barcode: 602547650023) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2015
This phenomenal Box Set collects all the seven albums recorded by the German trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist during the 1970s, which were released at the time on PolydorFind albums on this label Records. He also recorded several albums in the 1970s for MPSFind albums on this label Records. His international Big Band / Orchestra, called Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, included the absolute crème de la crème of European Jazz musicians from Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Britain. The list of the names reads like a European Jazz encyclopedia and includes trumpeters Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist and dozens of other first rate players.
Herbolzheimer had a wonderful gift as an arranger and bandleader, treating his orchestra like a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist. His multi-layered and incredibly complex rhythmic arrangements are to this very day among the best ever and emphasize superbly the difference in approach to the Big Band between American and European Jazz.
Although the music is in most cases very accessible, it is at the same time profoundly elegant and sophisticated, which means that it can be listened to on several different levels of comprehension. In retrospect this set also demonstrates that Major record labels at that time invested in interesting musical projects even if the costs were significant and the commercial significance unclear. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Pop / Jazz / Funk / Soul and many other sub-genres, being truly cross-genre before even that term was coined.
For Big Band / Orchestral Music connoisseurs this is of course an absolute must and considering the fact that these albums are absolutely unavailable since decades, it is a miracle to have this music back in circulation. Wholeheartedly recommended and not to be missed!
| | Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 01/01/2017 | CD 4 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | PETER HERBOLZHEIMER ~ SCENES
MPS 602527477237 (Barcode: 602527477237) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2011
This is a reissue / remaster of a live album by the German trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist and his international Big Band / Orchestra, called Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, which included the absolute crème de la crème of European Jazz musicians from Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Britain. The list of the names reads like a European Jazz encyclopedia and includes trumpeters Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist, Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist, drummer Kenny ClareFind albums by this artist and many other first rate players. The album presents seven tracks, four of which are original compositions by Herbolzheimer, who arranged all but one of the tracks. The album was recorded at the legendary London Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist’s Club.
Herbolzheimer had a wonderful gift as an arranger and bandleader, treating his orchestra like a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist. His multi-layered and incredibly complex rhythmic arrangements are to this very day among the best ever and emphasize superbly the difference in approach to the Big Band between American and European Jazz.
Although the music is in most cases very accessible, it is at the same time profoundly elegant and sophisticated, which means that it can be listened to on several different levels of comprehension. In retrospect this set also demonstrates that Major record labels at that time invested in interesting musical projects even if the costs were significant and the commercial significance unclear. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Pop / Jazz / Funk / Soul and many other sub-genres, being truly cross-genre before even that term was coined.
Overall, this is of course an absolute must for Jazz Big Band / Orchestral Music connoisseurs. The finesse of the compositions, arrangements and of course the performances is absolutely stunning. Wholeheartedly recommended and not to be missed!
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: 02/06/2025Posted: 02/06/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | PETER HERBOLZHEIMER ~ SUNSHINE AND BOSSA NOVA
HGBS 20017 (Barcode: 4050486049877) ~ GERMANY ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1970 - 2006 Released: 2011
This is an expanded reissue / remaster of the live 2LP album by the German (born in Romania) trombonist / arranger / bandleader / composer Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist and his Big Band called Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, called “My Kind Of SunshineFind albums with this title”, recorded in 1970 and 1971 and originally released on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label in 1972. The Big Band included many top European Jazz players and Americans resident in Europe at the time, such as Dusko GoykovichFind albums by this artist, Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist, Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Art FarmerFind albums by this artist, Herb GellerFind albums by this artist, Niels-Henning Orsted PedersenFind albums by this artist and many others. The original album presented nine lengthy tracks, mostly composed by Herbolzheimer. This album adds nine additional tracks recorded in 2005 and 2006 by the BuJazzOFind albums by this artist (German Youth Jazz Orchestra, founded and led for many years by Herbolzheimer), presenting their program “40 Years Bossa Nova”.
Herbolzheimer’s arrangements are absolutely brilliant and offer a superb amalgam of Jazz, Rock and Latin rhythms, with excellent soloing by the band’s members. It is one of the best examples of the diverse Big Band / Orchestral Jazz European scene. The German tradition of Jazz Big Bands is splendidly continued by the BuJazzO, which produced next generations of local Jazz musicians.
Overall, this is a wonderful album of European Big Band Jazz, presenting both a reissue of a superb and very rare album from the 1970s and a showcase of the new generation playing Big Band Jazz in the same tradition.
| | Updated: 25/08/2025Posted: 25/08/2025 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | DIETER REITH ~ KNOCK OUT
MPS 4029759097396 (Barcode: 4029759097396) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 - 1974 Released: 2014
This is a reissue of a little known album by German keyboardist / composer Dieter ReithFind albums by this artist recorded in a quintet setting with Jamaican saxophonist Wilton GaynairFind albums by this artist and three American expatriates living at the time in Germany: bassist Dave KingFind albums by this artist, drummer Todd CanedyFind albums by this artist and percussionist Sabu MartinezFind albums by this artist. The quintet performs four original compositions, three by Reith and one by Gaynair.
Stylistically the music is a beautiful example of European Jazz-Rock Fusion, which flourished at the time in Germany, with a strong Funk and Groove emphasis. The extended performances, all close to or over ten minutes long allow for plenty of opportunity for solos, mostly featuring various keyboards and the saxophone, which uses electronic devices to change its sound. The rhythm section is very versatile and technically brilliant, driving this music very skillfully. Reith displays truly virtuosic abilities playing a wide variety of keyboards and his melodies and funky groove are one of a kind.
Reith, who is primarily known as the keyboardist of German Big Bands / Orchestras, like the SWF Big BandFind albums by this artist, Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist´s Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, Kurt EdelhagenFind albums by this artist Orchestra and others, displays here his more personal project, which focuses on his abilities as a player and composer. This album lost nothing of its charm and beauty over time and is a wonderful trip down the memory lane, back to times when music was all about music and not trickery. Considering it was unavailable for decades this reissue is a true blessing.
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: 27/05/2018Posted: 05/07/2016 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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