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  | MUMPS ~ A MATTER OF TASTE
MPS 602517795822 (Barcode: 602517795822) ~ GERMANY ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2008
This is a reissue / remaster of the only album recorded together by four great European Jazz innovators, one German: trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, two Americans: drummer / composer Stu MartinFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist, and British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, collectively known as MUMPSFind albums by this artist. The album presents six tracks, all originals co-composed by the quartet members. The album was produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist.
Martin, Phillips and Surman, known collectively as simply The TrioFind albums by this artist, recorded together often since early 1970s, and have a brilliant recorded legacy together, as a trio and with other European Jazz greats, like French saxophonist / clarinetist Michel PortalFind albums by this artist and others. This session with Mangelsdorff is probably their greatest recording together, as far as I am considered. Despite the fact that all four musicians are known as groundbreaking improvisers, the music on this album sounds way more melodic than one might expect, which does not mean that there is less improvisation, but the incredible interplay between them and the obvious comradeship obviously adds to the incredible atmosphere this album captures.
The music is of course as brilliant as one might expect, with all musicians demonstrating their incredible abilities, both as solo performers and collective players. The music is composed, but offers a large degree of Freedom, with improvisation as the focal point. In many respects the album reflects the spirit of European Jazz at its peak by the late-1970s, where national borders were completely meaningless and the only thing that really mattered was the spirit of Jazz and its creativity. Berendt was always a maverick in creating connections between musicians and his role as Artistic Director of several key European Jazz festivals as well as a sought-after record producer enabled him a free hand in selecting the musicians he wanted to record, as in this case.
Overall, this is brilliant example of European Jazz at the time, with the creative input of Berendt behind the music and the unparalleled sovereignty he enjoyed to take his creativity wherever he wanted. I had the incredible luck to be around there and then, including this particular recording session, and of course the experience is deeply implanted in my memory. Of course, knowing all these incredible musicians personally was also a most educational experience. The album is a must in any serious European Jazz collection.
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: 11/04/2025Posted: 10/04/2025 | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN SURMAN ~ WESTERING HOME
FMR 016 ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1972 Released: 1995
British saxophone Colossus John SurmanFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest European Jazz musicians in the late 1960s. Between the time he recorded his eponymous debut album as a leader in 1968 and this 1972 recording Surman took part in no less than 45 recording sessions, both as a leader and sideman, recorded in UK, Germany and France. His position at the vortex of the burgeoning European modern Jazz and Improvised Music scene was a catalyst expanding the musical horizons and contributing to the scene’s rapid development by creating new musical discoveries. Surman’s musical fingerprints were all over the music, regardless if his input was just a guest solo appearance or a leading position. His legendary group called simply The TrioFind albums by this artist (with bassist Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist and drummer Stu MartinFind albums by this artist), active between 1969 and 1971, was one of Europe’s most visionary ensembles and its recording legacy stands out as a beacon of European Jazz to this very day. Following this frantic activity Surman decided to take a radical side step and re-evaluate his output and musical approach. The result was this magnificent album, recorded completely solo by Surman by multi-tracking (overdubbing) the instruments (various saxophones, keyboards and percussion instruments) – an extremely bold and innovative approach to recording at that time (Surman will use this same approach in the future). These “conversations with himself” are all deeply personal statements; soul-searching, revealing and contemplative, all exquisitely executed. Baritone and soprano saxophone duels, long solos, shifting rhythms and moods – all the ingredients of great music are here for the listener to absorb and delight in. Surman proves again not only his brilliant technique as a player and composer, but must importantly being an innovator and pioneer of groundbreaking ideas. The album remains to this very day as a milestone of modern European Jazz and one of the great achievements of Surman’s illustrious career. The album was originally released on the HelpFind albums on this label label – a short-lived subsidiary of IslandFind albums on this label dedicated to “bizarre” stuff - and unavailable for many years. Great to have it back in circulation. Wholeheartedly recommended.
| | Updated: 10/04/2025Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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