Record Reviews

PETER HERBOLZHEIMER ~ HIP WALK - THE COMPLETE POLYDOR RECORDINGS POLYDOR 602547650023 (Barcode: 602547650023) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 - 1978 Released: 2015 This phenomenal box set collects a reissue of six studio albums recorded by the German trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist during the 1970s, which were released at the time on PolydorFind albums on this label Records. His international Big Band / Orchestra, called Rhythm Combination & BrassFind albums by this artist, included the absolute crème de la crème of European Jazz musicians from Germany, Scandinavia, Holland and Britain. The list of the names reads like a European Jazz encyclopedia and includes (just for example) trumpeters Palle MikkelborgFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, and dozens of other first rate players. The original albums included in this Box Set are: “Soul CondorFind albums with this title” (1970), “Time Travellers GalaxisFind albums with this title” (1974) with one bonus track, “Live Im Onkel PöFind albums with this title” (1975), “Hip WalkFind albums with this title” (1976), “TouchdownFind albums with this title” (1977) and “I Hear VoicesFind albums with this title” (1978). This Box Set is a companion to the Box Set released by MPSFind albums on this label in 2008, entitled “Big Band Man - The MPS & Polydor Studio RecordingsFind albums with this title” Herbolzheimer had a wonderful gift as an arranger and bandleader, treating his orchestra like a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist. His multi-layered and incredibly complex rhythmic arrangements are to this very day among the best ever and emphasize superbly the difference in approach to the Big Band between American and European Jazz. Although the music is in most cases very accessible, it is at the same time profoundly elegant and sophisticated, which means that it can be listened to on several different levels of comprehension. In retrospect this set also demonstrates that Major record labels at that time invested in interesting musical projects even if the costs were significant and the commercial significance unclear. The music is a wonderful amalgam of Pop / Jazz / Funk / Soul and many other sub-genres, being truly cross-genre before even that term was coined. For Big Band / Orchestral Music connoisseurs this is of course an absolute must and considering the fact that these albums are absolutely unavailable since decades, it is a miracle to have this music back in circulation. Wholeheartedly recommended and not to be missed!

Updated: 10/11/2025Posted: 01/01/2017

CD 4 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend