Record Reviews

JOACHIM KUHN ~ I`M NOT DREAMING / DYNAMICS ART OF GROOVE 80232 (Barcode: 885513802323) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1983 - 1990 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of two albums by German pianist / composer Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist, which were originally released on the German CMPFind albums on this label label, owned and operated by recording legend / producer Walter QuintusFind albums by this artist. After a spell of activity in the Jazz-Rock Fusion idiom in the 1970s, Kuhn returned to experimentation in the Avant-Garde Jazz and contemporary Classical music in the 1980s, and these two albums reflect his work in that decade. "I`m Not DreamingFind albums with this title", recorded in 1983, marks the beginning of the association between Kuhn and Quintus and his CMP label. It was recorded by a quintet, which features two Germans: cellist Ottomar BorwitzkyFind albums by this artist (a Classical musician) and multi-instrumentalist Herbert ForschFind albums by this artist, and two Americans: the legendary trombonist George LewisFind albums by this artist and percussionist Mark NauseefFind albums by this artist (resident in Germany). Together they form a formidable ensemble, which performs seven original compositions by Kuhn. The music is floating somewhere between Free Jazz and contemporary Chamber Classical music, which is based on composed themes but is then expanded by extensive improvised passages. Over thirty years later this music is still as challenging and fresh as it was at the time of the recording, and remains a significant piece of the modern European Jazz history. "DynamicsFind albums with this title", recorded in 1990, is a solo piano album, which presents seven pieces, five of which were composed by Kuhn and two are interpretations of music composed by Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and Dave LiebmanFind albums by this artist. Again, rather than playing completely improvised music, Kuhn prefers to have a compositional framework to guide him, as he creates his improvisations. Kuhn is of course one of the most important European Jazz pianist and his solo piano albums are always examples of sublime musicality, impeccable aesthetics and of course brilliant technique. This is demanding, serious music, which demands concentration and dedication in order to be fully appreciated and understood, but eventually it is as much rewarding. This reissue brings back to life some of the great European Jazz, that sank into the background in time, but which certainly deserves to be cherished and remembered. Therefore the Art Of GrooveFind albums on this label label deserves to be shown gratitude for their work in this area.

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 02/05/2016

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