Record Reviews

ROLF KUHN ~ YELLOW + BLUE MPS 4029759127451 (Barcode: 4029759127451) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2018 Released: 2018 This is a sensational new album on the MPSFind albums on this label label by the veteran German Jazz clarinetist / composer / bandleader Rolf KuhnFind albums by this artist, one of the great pioneers of European Jazz, aged 88 at the time of the recording. The album was recorded in a quartet setting with German pianist Frank ChastenierFind albums by this artist, young bassist Lisa WulffFind albums by this artist and Columbian (sharing his time between Hamburg and NY) drummer Tupac MantillaFind albums by this artist. Together they perform eleven compositions, six of which are original compositions by Kuhn and five are his interpretations of standards. The music on this album is split between a continuation of the direction found on several previous Kuhn albums released on MPS, which is represented by the original material and a more melodic, relaxed and sentimental approach, which is evident in the interpretations of the standards. The album opens and closes with two standards, which define the musical framework, with the remaining standard is inserted more or less in the middle, creating an interlude between two sets of more complex and open music. This dual and even contrasting approach creates a wonderful tension and diversity within the music, clearly pointing out the fact that genres and stylistic differences in Jazz are its strength. Kuhn´s playing on this album is as lucid, precise and virtuosic as always, which fills my heart with joy. I have had the immense pleasure of hosting Rolf as the resident Artist during the 2017 Singer Jazz Festival, which gave me not only an opportunity to listen to his superb playing in many different settings, but also to catch up on our life´s stories in the last decades, talking for hours on end, lamenting mutual friends now gone and reminiscing about the European Jazz history. His vitality, despite the age limitations, is truly astounding. Of course the other members of the quartet perform superbly as well, moving between the mainstream standard interpretations and highly improvised original material with ease, flair and elegance, typical of European Jazz musicians. This album is an instant classic, a work a great Master, which defines the epitome of Jazz; a right mixture of emotional involvement and intellectual creativity, which Kuhn represents since decades. The mixture of Avant Garde and tradition, created with such great taste, is a rare opportunity to learn how great albums are made. Thank you my dear Friend for this gift of music, which you have so graciously shared with us for so long. God bless!

Updated: 17/12/2018Posted: 04/08/2018

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