Record Reviews

BRECKER BROTHERS ~ THE COMPLETE ARISTA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979796225 (Barcode: 886979796225) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1980 Released: 2012 Brothers Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist (trumpet / flugelhorn) and Michael BreckerFind albums by this artist (saxophone) are collectively and individually symbols of the American Jazz, Fusion and Funk scenes. They can be credited as co-inventors and pioneers of the American Jazz-Rock Fusion in the late 1960s and early 1970s (DreamsFind albums by this artist, Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist), especially as defining the Brass-Rock movement. By the mid-1970s they founded one of the most iconic and influential ensembles, calling it simply Brecker BrothersFind albums by this artist (or Brecker Bros.Find albums by this artist), which added Funk to the already well defined Fusion genre, creating a unique voice of unparalleled sophistication, feel and vitality, which had little, if any competition. The Brecker Brothers band existed originally for about six years, recording six marvelous albums between 1975 and 1980 (a reunion band recorded two more albums in early 1990s) The lineup changed over time and in retrospect included the absolute cream of the crop of American Fusion and Funk musicians active at the time: saxophonist David SanbornFind albums by this artist, guitarists Bob MannFind albums by this artist, Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, Barry FinnertyFind albums by this artist and others, keyboardists Don GrolnickFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist and others, bassists Will LeeFind albums by this artist, Neil JasonFind albums by this artist and Marcus MillerFind albums by this artist, drummers Harvey MasonFind albums by this artist, Christopher ParkerFind albums by this artist, Terry BozzioFind albums by this artist, Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and others. These names really tell the story, and the collective talents combined with the extraordinary compositions by Randy and Michael and the intricate arrangements created some of the unforgettable music, which still sounds as goof today as it did at the time it was recorded. This Box Set collects all the original six albums, released on the Arista label, and adds a couple of little known albums recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 1978, originally called "Blue MontreuxFind albums with this title" and "Blue Montreux IIFind albums with this title", which find Randy and Michael in the company of other Jazz luminaries: pianist Warren BernhardtFind albums by this artist, guitarists Steve Khan and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Mike MainieriFind albums by this artist, bassists Tony LevinFind albums by this artist and Eddie GomezFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve JordanFind albums by this artist, performing some Brecker Brothers material and other original compositions, all perfectly executed. With Michael´s tragic death in 2007, hearing the Brecker Brothers again is no longer possible, so this Box Set is a great tribute to a closed chapter in the history of American music, which should be remembered, as it is timeless and essential. Changing fads and fashions slide away, leaving the solid gold shining…

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 8 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MAYNARD FERGUSON ~ PRIMAL SCREAM / NEW VINTAGE / CARNIVAL BGO 1142 (Barcode: 5017261211422) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1975 - 1978 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of three albums by Canadian Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label during the late part of his stint with the label: "Primal ScreamFind albums with this title" (1976), "New VintageFind albums with this title" (1977) and "CarnivalFind albums with this title" (1978). These albums feature some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time and mark Ferguson´s commercial success and popularity, well beyond the strict Jazz circles. Among the artists appearing on these albums are: keyboardists Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and Bob JamesFind albums by this artist, drummers Steve GaddFind albums by this artist and Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist, guitarists Eric GaleFind albums by this artist and Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, saxophonists David SanbornFind albums by this artist and Joe FarrellFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Marvin StammFind albums by this artist and Jon FaddisFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is a mixture of original compositions by Ferguson and the composer / arranger Jay ChattawayFind albums by this artist, Jazz standards, film themes, popular songs and Classical pieces, all superbly arranged and executed by the Big Band / Orchestra, with soaring solos by Ferguson the guest stars. Although definitely on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, mixing Jazz with Funk, Rock and even Reggae, the music was always tasteful and impeccably executed. Ferguson´s piercing trumpet sound is still one of the most recognizable sounds in American Jazz and remains unparalleled to this very day. Personally I have always found the music of Ferguson to be both highly entertaining and artistically relevant, offering classy performances with stand the test of time with ease. Highly recommended!

Updated: 19/04/2020Posted: 19/04/2020

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

NIEMEN ~ MOURNER`S RHAPSODY GREEN TREE 120 (Barcode: 4015689001206) ~ POLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2003 This is the 4th and last album recorded by Polish singer / keyboardist / composer / lyricist / poet Czeslaw NiemenFind albums by this artist as part of his 4 albums deal with CBSFind albums on this label. Following the recording and release of the first three albums in Germany, CBS decided to pass the torch to the parent company in US, ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, and this album was recorded in New York. Produced by one of Columbia’s resident producers Sol RabinowitzFind albums by this artist, who had a lot of experience with Jazz-Rock, and surrounded by some of the best US players at the time, the album had all the potential to become a monster hit, but alas things turned out differently. The music world was obviously not ready to accept a non-English speaking artist to the hall of fame, regardless of how good he really was. The players on the album include (among others) Jan HammerFind albums by this artist (drums), Rick LairdFind albums by this artist (bass), Steve KhanFind albums by this artist (guitar), John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist (guitar), Don GrolnickFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and another great Polish musician, violinist Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. Niemen wrote all the music for this album, some of it new and some taken from his Polish releases. The sound quality and production are the best he ever had up to that point and the album is perfect in every respect, except perhaps for the producer’s effort to “Americanize” the final result in order to make it more accessible. This affected the slick sound the album (similar to many other Columbia albums at the time), but overall the album is an absolute knockout. Niemen’s complex, but beautiful melodies and his unique vocal delivery are completely unrivalled. The album’s title track (taken from the Polish album “EnigmaticFind albums with this title”) gets here an absolutely stunning new arrangement, using a choir to deepen the already profoundly dramatic atmosphere of the suite. In short, this is a monster album, sadly overlooked at the time by Western music community, but a momentous achievement for one of the most unique Artists on this planet. One can not even imagine what one is missing not ever listening to this album. Essential listening!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ COME TOGETHER-GUITAR TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES VOL.1 NYC 6004 ~ USA ~ Jazz The music of the Beatles is often an ispiration for Jazz artists, and this tribute album features some of the best guitar players ever, just read the names and drool: Mark WhitfieldFind albums by this artist, Toninho HortaFind albums by this artist, Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist, Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, Zachary BreauxFind albums by this artist, Adrian BelewFind albums by this artist, John AbercrombieFind albums by this artist, Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, Leni SternFind albums by this artist & Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist.

Updated: 09/11/2024Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PATRICK WILLIAMS ~ COME ON AND SHINE MPS 4029759097266 (Barcode: 4029759097266) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known early album by the great American composer Patrick WilliamsFind albums by this artist, who is one of the leading cinematic composers for the American movie and TV industries, but also a great Jazz aficionado, especially as a leader of Big Bands and composer of Jazz-Classical Fusion recordings. This album presents not one, but two different Jazz Big Bands, one from the East Coast (NY) and one from the West Coast (LA), performing seven original compositions by Williams, one by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer and one standard, all arranged by Williams. The lineups of these bands read like a who´s who of the American Jazz scene at the time and include among others trumpeters Marvin StammFind albums by this artist and Lew SoloffFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Lou MariniFind albums by this artist and Ronnie CuberFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave GrusinFind albums by this artist, guitarist Steve KhanFind albums by this artist, bassist Tony LevinFind albums by this artist, drummer Grady TateFind albums by this artist and also the Belgian harmonica virtuoso Toots ThielemansFind albums by this artist. The music is a mixture of Jazz and Funk / Groove, which was at the peak of its popularity at the time, not very ambitious musically but excellently performed and in retrospect still entertaining today. The Big Band arrangements are a classic example of the American school regarding Big Band arrangements. Overall a nice stroll down the memory lane… 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: 04/10/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend