Record Reviews

DEXTER GORDON ~ THE COMPLETE COLUMBIA ALBUMS COLLECTION SONY 886979189126 (Barcode: 886979189126) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1976 - 1980 Released: 2011 The veteran American saxophonist / composer Dexter GordonFind albums by this artist was one of the Jazz icons with a career spanning half a century. He was one of the great Bebop pioneers and his playing over the years remained more or less within the Bebop tradition. Gordon recorded extensively as a sideman and as a leader, participating in many seminal Bebop recordings. Since the early 1960s he recorded for the legendary Blue NoteFind albums on this label label, creating some of his best work there. Gordon left the US for Europe, as did many other American musicians in the 1960s, where he lived for fifteen years, mostly in Paris and Copenhagen. He enjoyed the European way of life and cultural atmosphere, which was free from racial discrimination and admired Jazz. While living in Europe he continued to record for Blue Note and the Danish SteeplechaseFind albums on this label label. By the late 1960 he switched to the PrestigeFind albums on this label label in the US. Gordon finally returned to the US for good in 1976 and signed with ColumbiaFind albums on this label, where he recorded the last of his output before his death in 1990. He also started an acting career, with the most notable appearance in the "Round Midnight" movie, where he portrayed a heroin addicted saxophonist, roughly based on his own biography. Gordon´s Columbia releases started with the live recording of his homecoming concert at the legendary Village Vanguard in NY, and included three studio albums and one more live album recorded at Carnegie Hall. All these recordings expanded by numerous bonus tracks and a whole additional CD of bonus tracks are included in this lovely Box Set. The list of names of the accompanying musicians reads like the who´s who of the US mainstream Jazz scene of the 1970s, and includes trumpeter Woody ShawFind albums by this artist, pianists George CablesFind albums by this artist, Cedar WaltonFind albums by this artist, George DukeFind albums by this artist and others, vibraphonist Bobby HutchersonFind albums by this artist, bassist Rufus ReidFind albums by this artist and many others. Overall this is some of the finest American mainstream Jazz played in the Bebop tradition, with wonderful performances by first class players, heartwarming solos and great compositions. Any true Jazz lover will enjoy these classic recordings and having them collected in one neat package with bonus material and informative liner notes is all anybody could ask for. Definitely not to be missed!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted:

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

LARRY CORYELL / MICHAL URBANIAK ~ A QUIET DAY IN SPRING STEEPLECHASE 31187 (Barcode: 716043118724) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 Released: 1992 This is the second album recorded by the duo comprising of American Jazz guitar virtuoso / composer Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist and Polish Jazz violin virtuoso / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist. This time the duo is expanded to a trio with the participation of Danish bassist Jasper LundgaardFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions, five by Coryell and two by Urbaniak. The previous meeting between Coryell and Urbaniak resulted in the album simply titled "DuoFind albums with this title", released originally in 1982, which featured Polish Jazz vocalist Urszula DudziakFind albums by this artist as guests on two tracks. The music is an absolutely spectacular collection of great melodies, very diverse stylistically spanning between Gypsy Jazz, Classically influenced themes, Folklore and many more, stunningly performed by these two Masters. The intimate duo setting allows for tight interplay as well as individual soloing, all elegantly supported by the excellent bass playing, which fills the spaces. Both Coryell and Urbaniak are in absolutely top form and the obvious empathy and respect between them is what makes this music such a delight. Following a period of involvement with Fusion by both these musicians in the early to mid 1970s, this album shows their love of acoustic, intimate formats, which can be as fully expressive as the passionate and innovative form of Fusion they were involved with. Personally I love the two duo recordings by Coryell and Urbaniak very much and in spite of the fact that I am familiar with dozens of albums recorded by these musicians individually, those two are definitely among my all time favorites. This is absolutely essential listening to all Coryell and Urbaniak fans and with Coryell sadly departed, his legacy deserves to be remembered.

Updated: 14/02/2020Posted: 14/02/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MICHAL URBANIAK ~ TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY HEART STEEPLECHASE 31195 ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1984 Released: 1986 This is a reissue of an album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, recorded with a trio comprising of American (resident in Denmark) pianist Horace ParlanFind albums by this artist and Danish bassist Jesper LundgaardFind albums by this artist and drummer Aage TanggaardFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Urbaniak, one is by Polish Jazz pianist / composer Wladyslaw SendeckiFind albums by this artist and two are standards. This CD reissue adds one bonus track not included on the original LP release. This is one of several albums by Urbaniak released on the excellent Danish SteeplechaseFind albums on this label label, owned by Nils WintherFind albums by this artist. Following the dramatic 1970s, which saw Urbaniak revolutionizing the Jazz-Rock Fusion with a series of brilliant albums recorded first in Poland and Germany and later, after his move to the USA recorded there, by the 1980s he returned to play modern mainstream Jazz with his unique touch and style, as documented on this album. He played always with some of the best Jazz musicians, including the famous stint with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, and his feverish creativity resulted in a long series of albums, which featured mostly his excellent compositions. The music often echoes the Polish folkloristic sources, which were always deeply imbedded in his music, and his unique approach to the violin always sounded exceptional and completely original. The trio accompanies him amicably and their solid backing enables Urbaniak to spread his wings in full. The music just pours out of the violin straight to the listener’s heart. Overall, following Urbaniak’s unexpected recent departure, this is a splendid opportunity to enjoy one of his less known albums, which offers some truly unique performances. Thank you, Maestro, for the six decades of music, which you shared with us, and for which we are grateful.

Updated: 29/12/2025Posted: 29/12/2025

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MICHAL URBANIAK ~ ASK ME NOW STEEPLECHASE 31454 (Barcode: 716043145423) ~ POLAND ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is an album by Polish Jazz violinist / composer Michal UrbaniakFind albums by this artist, recorded with a trio comprising of American musicians: pianist Jim PryorFind albums by this artist, bassist Dwayne BurnoFind albums by this artist and drummer Billy DrummondFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are standards. This is one of several albums by Urbaniak released on the excellent Danish SteeplechaseFind albums on this label label, owned by Nils WintherFind albums by this artist. Following the dramatic 1970s, which saw Urbaniak revolutionizing the Jazz-Rock Fusion with a series of brilliant albums recorded first in Poland and Germany and later, after his move to the USA recorded there, by the 1980s he returned to play modern mainstream Jazz with his unique touch and style, as documented on this album. He played always with some of the best Jazz musicians, including the famous stint with Miles DavisFind albums by this artist, and his feverish creativity resulted in a long series of albums, which featured mostly his excellent compositions. This album is an exception, as it basically presents a violin tribute to Bebop, and includes unique interpretations to many classic Bebop compositions by such Masters as Charlie ParkerFind albums by this artist, Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, Dexter GordonFind albums by this artist and others. The trio accompanies him superbly amicably and their solid backing enables Urbaniak to spread his wings in full. The music just pours out of the violin straight to the listener’s heart. Overall, following Urbaniak’s unexpected recent departure, this is a splendid opportunity to enjoy one of his less known albums, which offers some truly unique performances. Thank you, Maestro, for the six decades of music, which you shared with us, and for which we are grateful.

Updated: 01/01/2026Posted: 01/01/2026

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend