Record Reviews

JULIAN ARGUELLES ~ MOMENTA BASHO 29 (Barcode: 832929002922) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This is a live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist, recorded with the German HR Big BandFind albums by this artist, which he also conducts, and featuring British pianist Gwilym SimcockFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, all of which are original compositions by Arguelles. All but one of the tracks last close to ten minutes in duration and feature Arguelles and Simcock as the main soloists. The music is quite complex and strongly influenced by Classical Music approach and European Big Band aesthetics. The melodic themes are quite somber and reflective, and the music develops slowly, moving between orchestral and more Jazz oriented passages, which feature the soloist supported by the rhythm section. Some HR Big Band members are also given an opportunity to play solo parts, but Arguelles and Simcock are definitely at the center of attention. Overall, this is an interesting recording, which shows the full power of the Jazz Big Band in action, and modern Big Band arrangements, splendidly performed by all the musicians involved. The HR Big Band, alongside the WDR Big BandFind albums by this artist, NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist and the SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist, make Germany the strongest European scene for Big Band Jazz music, and one can only hope that these splendid bands will manage to continue what that are doing since many decades. This is definitely an important album in the Arguelles recorded legacy and a strong evidence of his many talents.

Updated: 30/05/2025Posted: 30/05/2025

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WOLFGANG DAUNER ~ FILMMUSIK MOOD 6672 ~ GERMANY ~ Soundtracks Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001 This is an album by the German Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, which collects some of his cinematic music, which he composed over the years for various film soundtracks. The music was recorded by Dauner in his studio, using piano, synthesizers and other instruments, to create an orchestral effect. Two of the tracks were recorded with the ZDF Big BandFind albums by this artist and three with SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, all of which are original compositions by Dauner. The album illustrates beautifully the less known facet of Dauner’s career, as a prolific film music composer, who left a significant mark on German Film production for many years. His wonderful songweaving talent, versatility and musical depth are wonderfully reflected by his music. Overall, this is a great portrait of Dauner, presenting his lesser known personality, not as one of the Godfathers of German Jazz, but a potent cinematic composer, which is by no means less interesting of course. 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: 23/07/2025Posted: 23/07/2025

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FRANK FOSTER / SWR BIG BAND ~ A FRESH TASTE OF THAD JONES AND FRANK FOSTER HANSSLER CLASSIC 4010276018582 (Barcode: 4010276018582) ~ USA ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1994 - 1996 Released: 2006 This is a wonderful Jazz Big Band album by American saxophonist / flautist / composer / arranger / bandleader Frank FosterFind albums by this artist, recorded with the brilliant German SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist during his two residencies as guest conductor in 1994 and 1996. The album presents eleven tracks, seven of which are compositions by Foster and four are compositions by Thad JonesFind albums by this artist. Foster succeeded Jones as the leader of the legendary Count Basie OrchestraFind albums by this artist in 1986 and continued to lead it until 1995, creating some of the definite late American Big Band sound. The album pays tribute to Jones and that Big Band tradition. Foster solos on most of the tracks and his warm sound is immediately recognizable. Of course the European musicians have no problem with tackling the material with ease and elegance. One is of course immediately tempted to compare the sound on this album, and other albums by German Big Bands like the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist or HR Big BandFind albums by this artist, with their American counterparts. This album is particularly interesting due to the presence of American conductor and strictly American material, which are still unable the close the conceptual gap between European and American Big Band sound, which comes down to the difference between a collection of individuals as opposed of a one multi-headed body making music. Overall, this is an interesting mixture of American and European Jazz Big Band, brilliantly played by everybody involved and featuring Foster as the main soloist and conductor. Lovers of the genre should have a field day with this, sadly little know album, which is definitely worth being discovered!

Updated: 18/01/2024Posted: 18/01/2024

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IVAN LINS ~ CORNUCOPIA MOOSICUS 1205 (Barcode: 4017425120523) ~ BRAZIL ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2012 Released: 2013 This is an album by Brazilian singer / songwriter Ivan LinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with the German SWR Big BandFind albums by this artist, conducted by Ralf SchmidFind albums by this artist, and several guest musicians. The album presents thirteen tracks, all songs composed by Lins and arranged for the Big Band by Schmid. Lins is of course one of most important figures in contemporary Brazilian music and he write wonderful songs, all characterized by the local rhythms and lyrical tendencies, like Samba an Bossa Nova, which are always a pleasure to listen to. Combined with the Jazzy arrangements and the Big Band accompaniment, the music achieves a different type of its usual sonic environment. Overall, this is a classic Jazz-World Fusion album, with a Jazz Big Band accents expending the sound and musical scope to a wider circle of listeners, who might enjoy the result. Lins writes wonderful songs and in this very special environment these songs sound even better than ever.

Updated: 05/06/2025Posted: 05/06/2025

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