Record Reviews

EERO KOIVISTOINEN ~ ALTERED PICTURES SVART 529 (Barcode: 6430077094710) ~ FINLAND ~ Jazz This is a 3CD reissue of the two albums by iconic Finnish saxophonist / composer / bandleader Eero KoivistoinenFind albums by this artist recorded originally in the US in 1983 and 1991. CD1 presents the album “Picture In Three ColorsFind albums with this title” recorded by a sextet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Jim McNeelyFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ScofieldFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron McClureFind albums by this artist and drummer Jack DeJohnetteFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by the leader. The album was originally released on Koivistoinen’s new (at the time) self-owned record label ProFind albums on this label Records. CD2 presents the album “Altered ThingsFind albums with this title” recorded by a septet, which includes Koivistoinen with American musicians: trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Conrad HerwigFind albums by this artist, pianist David KikoskiFind albums by this artist, Scofield, McClure and DeJohnette. Norwegian keyboardist Bugge WesseltoftFind albums by this artist added synthesizer parts on three tracks during post production and mix, which was done at the Rainbow Studio in Oslo by Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten original tracks, eight by the leader and one each by Finnish pianist / composer Seppo KantonenFind albums by this artist and McClure. The album was originally released on CD only on the Dutch TimelessFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Wim WigtFind albums by this artist, who produced the album. CD3 presents eight bonus tracks, five from the first album and three from the second, which include both outtakes and alternate takes, all by the leader except one composition by McClure. The music is all within the modern mainstream Jazz tradition, showcasing Koivistoinen’s brilliant composing / arranging skills and superb performances by some of the best American Jazz musicians active at the time. Koivistoinen’s ties with American Jazz go back in time to the years spent at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he absorbed the knowledge he would brilliantly utilize during his future career. He always showed a deep respect towards the American Jazz tradition, but at the same time presented a highly individual voice, which went beyond the boundaries of that tradition and incorporated European musical values and his native Finnish influences, turning him into one of the most versatile and prominent European Jazz personalities, as the music included here brilliantly exemplifies. It is of course great to see these two important albums expanded and made available again, thanks to the exemplary work done by SvartFind albums on this label Records, which treats the Finnish musical treasures with the respect they deserve, preserving the Cultural values, which are perhaps more important today than ever, in these dark days.

Updated: 22/02/2022Posted: 20/02/2022

CD 3 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

PHIL WOODS ~ INTEGRITY: THE NEW PHIL WOODS QUINTET LIVE RED 123177 (Barcode: 027312317725) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 Released: 1993 This is a reissue of a live album by American saxophonist / clarinetist / composer Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist, recorded with his quintet, which also included trumpeter Tom HarrellFind albums by this artist, pianist Hal GalperFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve GilmoreFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill GoodwinFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in Italy and released on the legendary RedFind albums on this label Record label. The 2CD album presents nine tracks, all of which are interesting arrangements of standards, except the short track finishing the album, which was composed by Woods. In the late 1960s and early 1970s Woods resided in Europe, led groups comprising of European musicians and recorded many excellent albums in Europe, and his ties with European musicians and labels continued after his return to the US. Although the music is all within the mainstream Jazz formula, it features some of the best American instrumentalist of the period, and Woods was always one of my favorite alto players, with a unique tone, superb melodic continuity and innovative improvisation approach, influenced by his long European stint. The rest of the quintet members are all first class musicians, and although Harrell was taking his first professional steps in this quintet, he was already a highly notable performer. Overall, this is a wonderful document of the early era of this splendid quintet, which despite its conventional appearance, played a very unique kind of American mainstream, which was full of surprising arrangements and quirky moments, which are truly delightful.

Updated: 21/02/2026Posted: 21/02/2026

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend