Record Reviews

BROOKMEYER, BOB/NEW QUARTET ~ PARIS SUITE CHALLENGE 70026 ~ USA ~ Jazz The veteran trombone master Brookmeyer teams up with three extremely talented young European musicians to form this quartet. They play all original music composed especially for this album, which is beautiful and very complex, but still very accesible. All the instrumentalist shine when soloing and the virtuosity is astounding.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CIRCLE ~ PARIS-CONCERT ECM 1018/19 (Barcode: 042284316323) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1991 Circle was a short-lived quartet formed by US pianist / composer Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist at the high peak of his activity in the field of Free Jazz and improvised music with three other outstanding and legendary musicians also active in the same field: saxophonist Anthony BraxtonFind albums by this artist, British bassist Dave HollandFind albums by this artist and drummer Barry AltschulFind albums by this artist. This live recording is the only document of the quartet´s performances and it is a remarkable piece of music in every respect. The music played on this album is a mixture of standards and original compositions by all the four musicians involved and presents a unique glimpse at the Free Jazz scene at the peek of its development. The performances are absolutely stunning from start to finish and the player´s virtuosity obvious at all times. Telepathic conversations, solos, duos, trios and the entire quartet playing chase each other constantly, creating an atmosphere of intellectual tension and anticipation. This is absolutely brilliant stuff, which has been one of my favorite albums for forty years now. A must to all Free Jazz listeners!

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KEITH JARRETT ~ PARIS CONCERT ECM 1401 (Barcode: 042283917323) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1988 Released: 1990 This is a solo piano album by American pianist / composer Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist, one of “countless” similar live recordings recorded over the years and released on the ECMFind albums on this label label. God only (and perhaps also Manfred EicherFind albums by this artist) knows how many similar recordings are still stored in ECM vaults, and will be released in the future. The album presents three tracks, the mammoth (almost forty minutes long) piece, which title is the date of the recording (October 17, 1988) and one short final piece, both credited to Jarrett, and his take on one standard. Jarrett’s solo piano albums are a subject of fiery discussion among music critics and I personally try to avoid them, since they seem to be all the same to me and are mostly quite boring. I am a great fan of Jarrett’s Jazz recordings and especially his treatment of standards, and I recognize his Masterly abilities as a pianist, but the barrage of solo piano recordings is simply beyond my patience and I see it as an expression of extravagance by his record label and foolishness of records buyers. Just my very personal opinion. Once you have heard “The Köln ConcertFind albums with this title”, the statement was made and anything beyond it becomes redundant. Of course it is possible to enjoy these solo piano recordings from time to time, like this one for example, as long as one does not expect to experience a shocking discovery. A cup of cocoa and a warm blanket might help to ensure the nap is just perfect. Overall, this is another solo piano album by Jarret, pleasant and entertaining for a while, before it becomes sort of background music. Great sound, as usual!

Updated: 06/11/2025Posted: 06/11/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ PARIS ASC 166 (Barcode: 607128998563) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2016 Released: 2017 This is a solo piano album by British pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist. It was captured live in Paris, beautifully recorded by the lamented Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, and presents twenty relatively short pieces, most of which were composed by Westbrook, but a few standards and a couple of BeatlesFind albums by this artist songs are also included. The pieces are sub-divided into four cycles and an epilogue of sorts. Westbrook´s solo piano performances are a splendid opportunity to examine the alter ego of the orchestral Westbrook, which is by far more representative and dominant in his career. The dexterity and complexity which characterizes Westbrook orchestral universe is gone completely and the listener is exposed to the innermost "naked" and minimalistic Westbrook, toying with single notes and isolated chords as if he was reading a series of haiku poems. Even the most experienced Jazz listeners will need to make a serious effort to recognize the familiar melody lines within the notes created by Westbrook´s fingers touching the keyboard. But of course this music is not about playing melodies; it is a form of mysterious interpretation and creation of an atmosphere rather than actual delivery of the music per se. In other words Westbrook playing the piano just by himself delivers the music the way he feels and understands it, not necessarily the way it was originally written, even in the case of his own compositions. As everything in the sphere of haute culture this music is a combination of elegance and sophistication, which work on the intellectual "muscles", with emotional stimuli that touch the listener´s heart and soul. As such, the effect the music has on a listener is directly proportional to his openness and submission to the Artist´s dominion transmitted through the notes he produces on the instrument. Overall this is a wonderful package of pure delight, which demands total attention and openness but pays back with interest. Solo piano connoisseurs and the many Westbrook followers will find this album irresistible, and all I can do is to recommend it, not only to the Jazz diehards, but all listeners of unadulterated great music. A must!

Updated: 12/07/2018Posted: 12/07/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend