Record Reviews

ASSOCIATION P.C. / JEREMY STEIG ~ MAMA KUKU PROMISING MUSIC 44100 (Barcode: 602517542846) ~ NETHERLANDS ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2008 Association P.C.Find albums by this artist was one of several multi-national Jazz groups active in Europe during the late 1960 / 1970 explosive period of creative activity, which resulted in establishment of the European Jazz and its emancipation from the American Jazz traditions. With Britain as one epicenter of the new music, Netherlands, Germany and France were the other one. Their geographic proximity enabled the existence of multi-national groups, as the musicians were able to meet, rehearse and tour, all within a driving distance from their respective homes. These countries also had a common cultural background, which served as common bond between the musicians. The original group was formed by Dutch drummer Pierre CourboisFind albums by this artist (his initials are in the group’s name) with fellow Dutch players Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist – keyboards and Peter KrijnenFind albums by this artist – bass and the German guitarist Toto BlankeFind albums by this artist. Krijnen was soon replaced by German bass virtuoso Siggi BushFind albums by this artist. After van’t Hof left the group to form his own outfit (the legendary Pork PieFind albums by this artist), he was replaced by German keyboardist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist. The group recorded five albums, four of them on the legendary MPSFind albums on this label label, and this was the last of them. The idea for recording an album with American flautist Jeremy SteigFind albums by this artist was initiated by the legendary Jazz critic and resident MPS producer Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, who heard Steig perform at the Munich Jazz Festival, which was organized as one of the events for the Munich Olympic Games in 1972. Berendt was always looking for unusual musical combinations and inspired the (then) forming European Jazz scene by his unequivocal support and prophetic vision. Steig, although American, was always associated with the Avant-Garde and pursued his own search to expand his horizons beyond the stagnant Jazz mainstream. Therefore his rapport with the young European musicians, who were also on a quest to discover the unknown, happened naturally, as Berendt envisioned. The album was recorded live, another wise decision by Berendt, as the character of the music simply suited a spontaneous situation perfectly. Although Association P.C. is often associated with the European Jazz-Rock Fusion (probably due to the fact that electric guitar and keyboards were used), is fact the group had nothing to do with that genre. Blanke and Kuhn will later on play in or lead Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles, but in that group they played quite a different sort of music, trying to expand Free Jazz (which served as a departure point) into Improvised Music. Steig understood that instinctively and cooperated beautifully. The peak of the album is reached on the 21+ minutes long spontaneously improvised piece, which was the original B-side of the LP. The performances are of course inspired and uplifting, as the musicians were all virtuosi and masters of their trade in spite of their young age. In retrospect the album caught for posterity a glorious moment and a fragment of what was happening on the European scene at the time, which makes it an immensely important document, in addition to being a superb musical experience, completely relevant to this very day. Kudos to Promising MusicFind albums on this label for the excellent remaster and elegant packaging of the reissue. A must!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

TOTO BLANKE ~ ELECTRIC CIRCUS CHICKADISC 001 (Barcode: 5901549197624) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1976 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of the second album by German Jazz-Rock Fusion guitarist / composer Toto BlankeFind albums by this artist, recorded by a superb trio, which consisted of Blanke, Dutch keyboardist / composer Jasper Van`t HofFind albums by this artist and Finnish drummer Edward VesalaFind albums by this artist. The trio later adopted the album´s title as their stage name and recorded a few albums together later on. American bassist Dave KingFind albums by this artist plays on four tracks and the album´s co-producer Ulli A. RuetzelFind albums by this artist plays piano on one track. The album presents seven original compositions, six of which were composed by Blanke and one by Van`t Hof. The music presented here is an extraordinary example of European Jazz-Rock Fusion at its best, which is characterized by complex melodies, elegance and sophistication, rather than endless instrumental doodling which dominated Fusion across the pond. The music is multi-layered, spacey, funky, and sometimes even ventures into almost Free territory; in short it bursts with ideas and eschews repeating worn-out formulas. Although Blanke was the leader and the main composer, the album in fact features the work of Van`t Hof as the primary instrumentalist, both as the soloist and the musician who provides the background layers upon which the music is glued together. Van`t Hof´s limitless imagination is at its absolute most prolific best herein. Blanke, a very original and plainly "different" guitar player also produces some amazing ventures on this album, mostly unconventional both stylistically and as far as the sounds he uses for his instrument. Vesala, one of Europe´s best and most original drummers, known mostly for his Free Jazz activities, plays some incredible drum parts on this album, proving his versatility and ability to adapt to any environment. He stays relatively in the background here, but listening to his work is very educational and of course aesthetically pleasing. Overall this is one of the great Fusion albums which are almost completely forgotten and the fact that is reissued forty years after it was recorded is a miracle in every respect. This album is a must to every true Fusion fan anywhere on this planet and hopefully it will be rediscovered, as the music deserves it in every respect. This release marks the start of a new ChickadiscFind albums on this label label, which is owned by the Polish GADFind albums on this label Records label, and promises to unearth many more amazing albums lost in the tides of time. Hats off as usual!

Updated: 21/03/2017Posted: 21/03/2017

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend