Record Reviews

JIRI STIVIN & RUDOLF DASEK ~ SYSTEM TANDEM - KONCERT V LUBLANI BONTON 71 0389 (Barcode: 8596972103891) ~ CZECHOSLOVAKIA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1974 Released: 1996 This is a reissue / remaster of the live album by the Czech Jazz duo comprising of saxophonist / flautist / composer Jiri StivinFind albums by this artist and guitarist Rudolf DasekFind albums by this artist, which appeared under the TandemFind albums by this artist or System TandemFind albums by this artist monikers, recorded during the duo’s concert at the 15th International Jazz Festival in Ljubljana / Yugoslavia in June 1974. The album presents five lengthy tracks, four of which were composed by Dasek and one by Stivin. The album includes bilingual liner notes for both the original release and the reissue, by my late Friend Lubomir DoruzkaFind albums by this artist. Although this was the duo’s debut album in their homeland, it was in fact their 3rd release, preceded by an album recorded in Finland in 1974, which includes studio versions of the material performed live during the concert in Ljubljana. Their 2nd album was recorded and released in Germany in 1975 on the JapoFind albums on this label label, which was a sister label of the famous ECMFind albums on this label. As to this album, it was originally released in two versions, which was the standard modus operandi for the SupraphonFind albums on this label label; one version had the texts in Czech language, and the other version had texts in English, and was intended for the international market. These versions often had different titles, like in this case, the international version was called “TandemFind albums with this title” and the local version “Koncert V LublaniFind albums with this title”. All this can be truly confusing for collectors of Czechoslovak Jazz albums :) The music is of course absolutely sensational, beyond description. Both musicians are absolute virtuosi and are able to produce an array of sounds, which is completely incomprehensible – in this case hearing is believing. This album is probably one of the greatest examples of the “Art of the Duo” phenomenon. Overall, this is an absolute must to every Jazz music lover, and one of the best East European Jazz live albums ever recorded. Believe me, I am nor exaggerating! Do yourself a favor and get a copy ASAP, although this is not going to be easy.

Updated: 23/08/2025Posted: 23/08/2025

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED SCHOOF ~ RESONANCE ECM 2093/94 (Barcode: 602517804531) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 - 1979 Released: 2009 This album collects music recorded by the quintets led by German trumpeter / composer Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, entitled "ScalesFind albums with this title", "Light LinesFind albums with this title" and "HorizonsFind albums with this title", which were originally released on the JAPOFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of ECMFind albums on this label. The first two are included here in their entirety and the last one is two tracks short, which is a pity, but considering this is the only CD edition of these albums, it´s infinitely better than nothing, especially in view of the quality of the music. Schoof was one of the most important figures on the European modern Jazz scene since the late 1960s and his contribution to the genre is enormous. A brilliant trumpeter and a great composer, he was always in the epicenter of the scene, playing with musicians from many countries as well as leading his own groups. His 1970s quintet, which recorded the three albums included here, was particularly exquisite, playing some of the most intelligent and adventurous, albeit quite melodic and well organized music created at the time. Of course the element of musical freedom is in the centre of the musical creation, as captured on these albums, but it is pre-composed and retains strong melodic continuity. In retrospect these are truly amazing musical achievements, which have not been repeated successfully since. The musicians present here include: bass clarinetist Michel PilzFind albums by this artist, Dutch keyboardist Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist (on the first two albums) and German keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist (on the last one), bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. People familiar with European Jazz scene will of course recognize these names instantly. This is an absolute must to connoisseurs of European Jazz at its absolute best. Stupendous stuff! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Love that bass clarinet (on YouTube - CDs not yet received)

CD 2 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

MANFRED SCHOOF QUINTET ~ LIVE IN BREMEN 1978 MOOSICUS 1316 (Barcode: 885513131621) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 Released: 2022 This is an archival live album by the great German Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Manfred SchoofFind albums by this artist, one of the Godfathers of the modern German / European Jazz. The 2CD album was recorded by Radio Bremen and features Schoof’s second quintet, with bass clarinetist Michel PilzFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Rainer BruninghausFind albums by this artist, bassist Gunter LenzFind albums by this artist and drummer Ralf HubnerFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, eight of which are extended pieces lasting between ten and twenty minutes. Six of the tracks are original compositions by Schoof, two are by Hubner and one is co-composed by Schoof with two other musicians. Bruninghaus is familiar as a member of Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist´s bands and the Lenz / Hubner rhythm section was, among others, also the first rhythm section of Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist’s quintet. This quintet recorded three albums for the JAPOFind albums on this label label, a subsidiary of ECMFind albums on this label, between 1976 and 1979 (“ScalesFind albums with this title”, “Light LinesFind albums with this title” and “HorizonsFind albums with this title”), reissued in 2009 as the Box Set “ResonanceFind albums with this title”, with Dutch keyboardist Jasper van`t HofFind albums by this artist on the first two albums and Bruninghaus on the third. Much of the material on this live album originates from these albums, but gets an expanded treatment herein. The music is absolutely Godly, a beautiful amalgam of melodic, almost ambient themes with widely improvised Free parts by the bass clarinet, trumpet and piano on top, a brilliant example of the European Jazz aesthetics at its best. The music develops slowly and takes the listener on a hypnotic carpet ride, which is delight incarnate. This was definitely one of the best European Jazz quintets of the late 1970s, and this live album is a perfect companion to the three studio albums mentioned above. Overall, this is a brilliant European Jazz from the late 1970s, with first-class musicians, performing exquisite music, which remains as relevant today as it was at the time. Lovers of bass clarinet will find this jaw-dropping and absolutely essential, but all European Jazz lovers should find this music irresistible. Those German radio stations have so much incredible music in their vaults, and we can be only grateful for labels like MoosicusFind albums on this label for bringing it out on records. A must!

Updated: 26/06/2025Posted: 21/06/2025

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend