Record Reviews

HAMPTON / MANGELSDORFF / PERSSON / WHIGHAM ~ TROMBONE WORKSHOP MPS 602517797499 (Barcode: 602517797499) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2008 This is a reissue / remaster of the album recorded by an international trombone quartet, which comprised of American trombonist / composer Slide HamptonFind albums by this artist, German trombonist / composer Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist, Swedish trombonist / composer Ake PerssonFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Germany) trombonist / composer Jiggs WhighamFind albums by this artist. They were accompanied by a rhythm section, which comprised of Swiss pianist George GruntzFind albums by this artist, and bassist Isla EckingerFind albums by this artist and American (resident in Germany) drummer Tony InzalacoFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, one composed by Hampton and two each by Mangelsdorff and Whigham. The music was recorded live in Switzerland and the album is one of a series of albums released by the MPSFind albums on this label label under the “Workshop” or “Summit” moniker, which were dedicated to a specific instrument. Many of the later recordings in this series were produced by my Friend and Mentor Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who 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 status enabled him a free hand in selecting the musicians he wanted to record. The music, although somewhat “conventional” stylistically, is completely revolutionary as far as putting several instrumentalists playing the same instrument together, accompanied only by a rhythm section, where each of them would play solo parts and all would play together the intros and outros, as well as many of the intervals within each composition. Obviously the Mangelsdorff’s compositions were often more advanced than those by the Americans, who had a traditional baggage on their shoulders. 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 dramatic jumpstart in the early-1970s, where national borders were completely meaningless and the only thing that really mattered was the spirit of Jazz and its creativity. Overall, this is brilliant example of European Jazz at the time, with the American musicians embraced warmly and many of them simply moved to Europe to enjoy and exploit the advanced approaches and Freedom of Artistic expression, which was not to be found in US. All the MPS “Workshop” and “Summit” albums are worth their weight in gold. I produced a long series of “Summit” concerts during my residence as the Artistic Director of the Singer Jazz Festival in Warsaw, in memory of Berendt and his legacy. 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: 11/04/2025

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

IRA KRIS ~ JAZZANOVA MPS 4029759097402 (Barcode: 4029759097402) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1971 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of a little known album by American guitarist / composer Ira KrisFind albums by this artist. This album was recorded in Munich, Germany where Kris worked at the time, like many of his compatriots, and features also the Venezuelan guitarist Juan RomeroFind albums by this artist and Americans: flautist Frank St. PeterFind albums by this artist, bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony InzalacoFind albums by this artist. Together the quintet plays eight tunes, six of which classic Brazilian Bossa Nova pieces and two are originals, one each by Kris and St. Peter. Brazilian music took the Jazz world by storm with the Bossa Nova explosion in the mid-1960s and although the intensity of its presence faded out in time, it was incorporated into the genre for good, being one of the first Jazz-World Fusion trends. The music on this album is more Jazz oriented than the Samba / Bossa Nova recordings done in America and presents a Jazzier attitude with many exciting solos by Kris and St, Peters. Overall, as all recordings incorporating Brazilian music, this is definitely the "lighter" and more accessible facet of the genre, which has many fans all over the world. Nevertheless the music is excellently performed and lost nothing of its charm over time. Combined with the fine sound quality that all MPSFind albums on this label productions share, this is still a very fine album, worth having in one´s collection. This forgotten little gem is definitely worth being discovered! 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: 04/06/2016

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

FRITZ PAUER ~ BLUES INSIDE OUT MPS 602498112649 (Barcode: 602498112649) ~ AUSTRIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2003 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by Austrian pianist / composer Fritz PauerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic piano trio format with two American expatriates: bassist Jimmy WoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony InzalacoFind albums by this artist. All three musicians lived at the time of the recording in Germany, which was one of the most important European Jazz centers. The album presents eight tracks, with three of the being original compositions by Pauer, two each are by Woode and Inzalaco and one is a standard. The album was produced by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist, who also served as the session’s sound engineer. This was the last album Pauer recorded for the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label. The music is deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition, but Pauer takes it way further into the European Jazz aesthetics, with his extraordinary improvisations, which often move briefly as far as Free Jazz, swiftly returning to the melodic swing. The resulting see-saw between Swing and more open playing is truly delightful, and the excellent American rhythm section supports the leader with ease and elegance. Pauer, along with Joe ZawinulFind albums by this artist, were the most internationally renowned Austrian Jazz pianists. Overall, this is a fascinating snapshot of the German Jazz scene at the early 1970s, which was a magnet for Jazz musicians from all over Europe and the US, and served as a breeding ground for the exploding European Jazz. For classic Jazz piano trio fans, this album is a delight from start to finish. 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: 18/06/2025Posted: 18/06/2025

CD 1 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend