Record Reviews

JAN HAMMER ~ OH, YEAH? WOUNDED BIRD 0437 (Barcode: 664140043725) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2006 2nd album by keyboards wizard Jan HammerFind albums by this artist, best known from his stint with the original Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. Born in Czechoslovakia, Hammer left his native country after the Soviet invasion in 1968 (same as many other prominent Czech musicians) and emigrated to the US, where he attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston. He first played jazz (for Sarah VaughanFind albums by this artist) but joined MO, as he was more interested in the Jazz-Rock Fusion, which exploded in the early 1970s. His memorable contributions to the MO sound are classics to this very day. After the demise of the original MO Hammer recorded an album with fellow ex-MO member Jerry GoodmanFind albums by this artist (Like ChildrenFind albums with this title) and a year later released his first solo album (The First Seven DaysFind albums with this title) and formed the Jan Hammer Band with which he performed extensively. On this album Hammer continues the musical direction set by his debut, which is basically a funkier and rockier version of Fusion. The band includes another talented US violin player Steven KindlerFind albums by this artist and percussionist David Earle JohnsonFind albums by this artist (with whom Hammer also recorded a duo album) and resembles at times the MO sound. The only disappointing thing is the (fortunately rare) usage of vocals, which although quite OK, contribute little to the otherwise solid album.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CLEO LAINE ~ CLASSIC ALBUMS, 4 EPS & BONUS TRACKS REAL GONE JAZZ 421 (Barcode: 5036408154422) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1962 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of four early albums by the British vocalist Cleo LaineFind albums by this artist, one of the most glamorous and widely known representatives of the British Jazz worldwide. She and her husband saxophonist / composers John DankworthFind albums by this artist were for many years the "Royal" couple of the British Jazz and they were eventually knighted (receiving the DBE and CBE respectively). Laine, a truly remarkable singer, is perhaps the last great British representative of the "classic" vocal Jazz school, created and developed by the great American female singers like Billie HolidayFind albums by this artist, Sarah VaughanFind albums by this artist, Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist and so many others. Her great affinity towards the Blues and her wonderful feeling of the Swing made her a true star. She did not, however, cross over to the modern vocal Jazz approach, which developed in Britain (and the rest of Europe), which reinvented the role of the human voice and opened new possibilities. Laine stayed faithful to the "classic" approach, and represented it stunningly. On the recordings included in this set Laine is accompanied by the best British Jazz musicians active at the time and the time span (1955 to 1962) shows her rapid development from an unknown imitator to a full fledged luminary. The first album "She`s The Tops!Find albums with this title" presents Laine more as a Blues singer and shows her developing her chops and vocal abilities. The second album "ValmouthFind albums with this title" is the original cast recording of a West End musical theatre performance featuring Laine, showing her remarkable talent as an actress in addition to her singing career. The third album "Live DateFind albums with this title" is a live recording presenting Laine singing six songs with the Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist Orchestra and than Hayes playing three spectacular pieces with his quartet. The fourth album "All About MeFind albums with this title" is a wonderful vocal Jazz album recorded with the Johnny KeatingFind albums by this artist Orchestra and featuring his incredible arrangements, showing Laine as a fully developed Jazz Diva. In addition this set includes also four EPs (each with four songs) recorded with various British groups supporting her. The "bonus tracks" are in fact another full album, which presents her singing with the trombonist Keith ChristieFind albums by this artist and his quintet (not quartet as the packaging tells us), which includes John Dankworth on clarinet and alto saxophone, pianist / vibraphonist Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist, bassist Bill SutcliffeFind albums by this artist and drummer Allan GanleyFind albums by this artist. This is the earliest recording included in this set. Overall British Jazz lovers and vocal Jazz connoisseurs should find this set irresistible, enjoying the newly available music, which has mostly disappeared into the abyss for way to long. Side Note The Real Gone JazzFind albums on this label label releases hundreds of album collections, which include usually between three to eight original albums in a two to four CDs sets. Most of these albums were recorded and released in the 1950s and early 1960s. These collections provide the track lists and lineups of the original albums, but no recording information, liner notes and any background information whatsoever. The label takes advantage of the copyright law in UK, which limited the length of the copyright protection of recorded works to 50 years, after which recorded works become public domain. In 2013 UK implemented a correction of the copyright law extending the protection of recorded works to 70 years (like the rest of Europe), but the correction does not apply retroactively, which means that recordings which entered the 50 years rule prior to January 1, 2013 (i.e. recorded before January 1, 1963) remain public domain. There are two great advantages to these releases: they are really inexpensive and they bring back to life many albums not reissued previously on CD, which means it would cost a collector an arm and a leg to get a copy of them. Many of these albums are absolute gems and essential pieces of Jazz history. The disadvantages are: the lack of proper information, original cover art, combining tracks of several original albums on one CD and the sound quality, which depends on where the label gets the source material. From my experience most of the releases have quite excellent sound quality but I have not listened to all of them and some people have complained about it.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 20/05/2016

CD 4 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SARAH VAUGHAN ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886919058727 (Barcode: 886919058727) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1949 - 1987 Released: 2012 American singer Sarah VaughanFind albums by this artist was undoubtedly one of the brightest stars of the female vocal Jazz scene, a member of a very limited legendary league, which includes but a few others. Her absolutely unique style, an amazing vocal range from female baritone to mezzo-soprano and a highly personal interpretation of the material she performed remain largely unmatched to this very day. She is a major influence as far as Jazz vocals are considered and many vocalists name her as their major source of inspiration. She is often referred to as a Jazz diva, a title earned but very few other female Jazz personalities. During her career, which lasted for over five decades, Vaughan recorded an impressive body of work, released by several record labels. Strangely enough her association with ColumbiaFind albums on this label covers the early days (1949-1953) of her recording career, as well as her final recordings in the 1980s. Her entire recorded output is collected on four CDs, the first two dedicated to the early recording sessions and the other two to her late output: the live recording of the George GershwinFind albums by this artist and Ira GershwinFind albums by this artist songbook, which was recorded with the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Michel Tilson ThomasFind albums by this artist and her very last album, which included Brazilian music she was so fond of, which was produced by Sergio MendesFind albums by this artist and featured a sublime cast of musicians, including keyboardist George DukeFind albums by this artist (another Brazilian music enthusiast), guitarist / composer Dorival CaymmiFind albums by this artist and guest vocals by Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist on one track. This last album was recorded just three years before Vaughan died in 1990. The contrast between the sessions, recorded almost four decades apart, is a wonderful perspective, which enables the listen to truly appreciate the greatness of Vaughan´s abilities. The Box Set is a great document, which should be enjoyed by every Jazz connoisseur, and of course vocal Jazz enthusiast. Marvelous stuff!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 4 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend