Record Reviews

STU GOLDBERG ~ EYE OF THE BEHOLDER PROMISING MUSIC 44111 (Barcode: 602517845923) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 Released: 2009 3rd (out of 4) albums recorded by US keyboardists / composer Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, on which he also recorded several other albums as a sideman. This is his most ambitious project for the label, recorded with an expanded ensemble of nine musicians – a Jazz quintet and a string quartet – allowing him to present his original compositions in a broader musical landscape and with lush arrangements. Playing only the acoustic piano (in contrast to his usual use of keyboards), Goldberg performs his music with grace, sensitivity and obvious love, which fit the often romantic music perfectly. All the musicians are obviously highly skilled and dedicated, creating a perfect (perhaps a bit too perfect?) musical landscape. There is little musical innovation here, with the music flowing "pleasantly" even during the up-tempo numbers, thus being suitable for a wider (well beyond Jazz only) audience. Goldberg is clearly a great instrumentalist, running arpeggios up and down the scale with ease and elegance, but the format he chose to pursue here is dangerously close to being somewhat banal (never actually becoming so). As usual with the Promising MusicFind albums on this label the remastering, sound quality, packaging and extensive liner notes are beyond reproach.

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA ~ INNER WORLDS COLUMBIA 476905 ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1975 6th album by Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist. By the time this one was recorded MO were in fact Mk III, a violin-less (for the first time) quartet. This means that John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist`s guitar is more prominent then ever, sharing solos with the new keyboards player Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist. No other instrumental additions (strings, brass) are added here, bringing the clean fusion sound of the group to the max. Some great tunes and exceptional playing make this album as strong again as the first two releases. This was also the last MO album in the 70`s, with one more album to be released in the 80`s.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ IN SEARCH OF A DREAM MPS 4029759119661 (Barcode: 4029759119661) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2017 This is a reissue of the second album for the MPSFind albums on this label label by American drummer / composer / bandleader Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist, recorded with a dream team of Fusion musicians: American saxophonist Bob MalikFind albums by this artist and pianist Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist, Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, German keyboards marvel Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and Czech bassist Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist. Together, but in varying lineups, they perform nine tunes, six of which were composed by Mouzon and one each by Catherine, Kuhn and Vitous. The music is a superbly crafted Jazz-Rock Fusion, with great melodic lines and intelligent arrangements, which focus on the music rather than on senseless doodling which overtook the genre soon after this music was recorded. In fact this is probably one of the latest great Fusion albums, closing the initial decade when the idiom crystallized and achieved its greatest triumphs. The level of the individual performances is absolutely stellar as each of these instrumentalists was a major figure in the Fusion field at the time. Yet the album is completely devoid of ego trips and competition, with respect and ensemble effort at the helm. Mouzon´s unique and unparalleled drumming is of course the power driving this music at all times, and which remains a source of inspiration for all drummers in the world to this day. Catherine´s guitar playing is also stellar and his sophistication remains unmatched. Kuhn and his keyboard wizardry is the cherry on top. With passing of time, this album becomes ever stronger and valid, as a milestone of what Fusion was (and should be) all about. Mouzon´s contribution to Fusion is of course immeasurable and this album is just one of the pieces of the puzzle that define the genre. Obviously this is an absolute must in every decent Fusion collection and for the younger listeners who might have missed this gem this is a golden opportunity to learn something about real music. Essential listening! 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: 28/05/2018Posted: 25/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ IN SEARCH OF A DREAM MPS 4029759097273 (Barcode: 4029759097273) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1977 Released: 2014 Conceived and produced by my Friend and Mentor, the celebrated Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, this wonderful and sadly little known album presents a recording by a Fusion supergroup headed by the great American drummer / composer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist. A group of top Fusion players from both sides of the pond, the collective personnel includes, in addition to Mouzon, two more Americans: keyboardist Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Bob MalikFind albums by this artist. The European contingent comprises of Belgian guitar virtuoso Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist, German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and finally Czech bass magician Miroslav VitousFind albums by this artist, who plays a funkiest electric bass ever on this album, in addition to his double bass, a very rare occurrence indeed. Mouzon, aged 29 at the time this music was recorded (the "Happy Birthday" chant heard on the album is about that), was already a Fusion veteran, after being a founding member of Weather ReportFind albums by this artist (with Vitous) and later Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist´s Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist. His technical proficiency and more importantly superb musicality earned his much respect among his peers and quite a following on the busy Fusion scene. This recording was Mouzon´s second album as a leader for the legendary German MPSFind albums on this label label, also produced by Berendt, following the no less outstanding "VirtueFind albums with this title" recorded a year earlier. Of the nine tracks on this album, six are original compositions by Mouzon, with the remaining three being originals by Catherine, Kuhn and Vitous. They are all superb pieces of music, based on great melodies, complex rhythmic patterns and stunning solo work by all the participants, reflecting Fusion at its best before the genre sadly dwindled into obsessive repetitious doodling. Hearing this music almost forty years after it was recorded produces a striking realization that it lost absolutely nothing of its original freshness and sounds brilliant as ever, perhaps even more so today, considering what pretends to be music these days. Listening carefully to this album reveals a plentitude of musical details and ideas that went into creating this music, which require talent and dedication. Mouzon´s drumming on this album is of course a delightful reminder of better times. As all the albums recorded for the MPS label, the recording quality of this album is simply marvelous, with precision and ambience unachieved by almost any other recordings and as such is a true delight to all audiophile music listeners, in additions to being a great document of the era when music truly mattered. 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: 29/12/2023Posted: 30/01/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALPHONSE MOUZON ~ VIRTUE PROMISING MUSIC 44110 (Barcode: 602517602410) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2009 In the early 1970s the name of US drummer Alphonse MouzonFind albums by this artist was almost synonymous with Jazz-Rock Fusion as one of its most prominent drummers, rivaled only by Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist. His stints with Weather ReportFind albums by this artist and Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist´s Eleventh HouseFind albums by this artist are prime examples of his extraordinary abilities and technique. But Mouzon could play modern Jazz as well as Fusion, and he played with the best, including McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist and many other "conventional" Jazz musicians. This album is a brainchild of the legendary producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who was a great fan of Mouzon´s playing and invited him to record for the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label twice, before recording this one with him as a leader. For the album Mouzon assembled quite an unusual quartet, incorporating one of the greatest (and often underappreciated) saxophonist Gary BartzFind albums by this artist, which seemed truly inappropriate, as Bartz was more then anything a player in the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist tradition, which was hardly "in place" in a Funk / Fusion setting. The result of course proves that all fears were completely unfounded and the quartet works like a dream. Completed by keyboardist Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist (a frequent guest on the MPS label), whose feel for Fusion and Funk was beyond reproach, and bassist Welton GiteFind albums by this artist (a legendary bass player, who was a member of SteppenwolfFind albums by this artist! and played with a plethora of Rock, Pop and Jazz acts) the quartet performs a set of compositions composed by Mouzon, playing their ass off from start to finish, producing one of the most energetic and brilliant Fusion albums with no weak moments whatsoever. Mouzon is of course brilliant, a monster rhythmic (and polyrhythmic) driving power at all times. Both Goldberg and Bartz get plenty of solo space and the overall result is a Fusion orgy of unearthly proportions. Although this album is rarely mentioned as a Fusion "classic", it definitely deserves the status, which anybody listening to it should easily recognize. We should be grateful to Promising MusicFind albums on this label for reissuing this classic treasure! As usual, the remastering, sound quality, packaging and extensive liner notes are beyond reproach. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 16/05/2016Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

WAYNE SHORTER ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979202429 (Barcode: 886979202429) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 1971 - 1988 Released: 2011 There are very few Jazz musicians, who can claim being at the epicenter of the most innovative and creative music making for decades and also be called one of the greatest Jazz composers, but saxophonist / composer Wayne ShorterFind albums by this artist certainly is one of them. His role as a member of the legendary second Miles DavisFind albums by this artist quintet and than as co-founder and co-leader of the no less legendary Weather ReportFind albums by this artist are already more significant than the achievements of most other musicians, but Shorter also has a most impressive solo career, which spans from the late 1950s to now, i.e. for over half a century. Shorter´s recordings as a leader, which were chronologically released on the Vee-JayFind albums on this label, Blue NoteFind albums on this label, ColumbiaFind albums on this label and VerveFind albums on this label labels present a magnificent body of work both as a performer and a composer. The Blue Note recordings, eleven albums released between 1964 and 1970 and recorded while he was a member of the Miles Davis quintet, are perhaps the most impressive and pivotal as far as Jazz development is concerned, but all the others are also great showcases of his talent. Shorter recorded four albums for Columbia; one in 1974 and the other three in the late 1980s, all of which are included in this Box Set. The first album, ("Native DancerFind albums with this title") recorded with the brilliant Brazilian musician / composer Milton NascimentoFind albums by this artist is the most memorable and impressive of the Columbia recordings and a beautiful example of Jazz-World Fusion at its best. In addition to several great Brazilian musicians playing on the album, including Airto MoreiraFind albums by this artist, it also features Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist on piano. The other three albums are somewhat Fusion oriented and feature different lineups of first class musicians, especially keyboard players like Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Stu GoldbergFind albums by this artist, Jim BeardFind albums by this artist, Patrice RushenFind albums by this artist, Geri AllenFind albums by this artist and others and of course almost exclusively the superb compositions by Shorter. This Box Set also includes two bonus CDs, which collect all Weather Report tracks, which were composed by Wayne Shorter and recorded during the group´s entire lifespan. Although not adding anything new, these CDs present a great historic document of Shorter´s contribution as a composer to the group´s monumental accomplishments. This Box Set is a must to all Wayne Shorter fans, especially in view of the fact that the individual albums have been out of print for ages. The musical content is of course top notch in every respect, a part of the legacy of a great musician, which deserves to be heard and remembered!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend