Джаз

From all the unconventional projects Sebastian Gramss has initiated, Slowfox is the most melodic. Essentially that is true; nonetheless, also this assessment should be seen in relation. Of course ECHOaward- winners Gramss, Hayden Chrisholm und Philip Zoubek are much too reflective to stray onto the thin ice of entertainment. “We invite the listener by connecting to something familiar,” Sebastian Gramss describes the starting point from which the trio develops chamber-musical aesthetics of sharpened senses. Gentle Giants comes alive through a subtle profoundness, in which there is a lot to discover: harmonic finesse, elegant sound ideas, and fine imaginative powers. Bandleader Gramss, who also functioned as the producer of the record, calls the music “Melodic Avantgarde”. Different from the subversive avant-garde of earlier decades, Slowfox only changes a few specific rather than all established parameters. The open approach of the trio brings together crafty structures and improvisations and appeals to intellect and heart alike. Instead of bold speed or muscle flexing there are atmospheric nuances and slender sounds, which interlock in transparent arrangements. At the first listening the omission of any percussion already becomes apparent. Certainly Slowfox is not unique in this aspect, although the concept still seems quite uncommon in a jazz-context. Of course Slowfox can also swing without a specific beat, however, other qualities are the focus here. Unlike the debut album released in 2014, all compositions on Gentle Giants are written by Gramss specially for this formation. “On the first record we explored the possibilities of the new formation and therefore I resorted partly to tried and trusted material,” Gramss recollects. “Thereafter the band sound was generally clear.” Subsequently the trio played live a lot and carved out its contours more and more clearly. It was essential to this new work, to carry on the individual path. It took about a year to find fitting pieces and to formulate them, Gramss says. In the summer of 2016 there was an extensive tour, so Slowfox had the chance to bring many of the pieces from Gentle Giants to life on stage before they went to the studio in mid-September. Born 1966 in Wilhelmshaven, Sebastian Gramss began playing guitar and electric-bass, which later led him to the double bass and it was Louis Armstrong, Progressive-Rock and Weather Report that brought him to jazz. In the past decades he has worked with sound-rebels like Fred Frith and Elliot Sharp, as well as free jazz pioneer Peter Brötzmann and has written music for Pina Bausch and Hans Kresnik. Gramss’ most unusual project is probably the orchestra consisting of 50 bassists named Bassmasse [Bass mass]. Gramss already played with Hayden Chrisholm before Slowfox; back in 1996 they were already sharing a rehearsal room. The saxophonist with the clear tone came to Cologne through a DAAD-scholarship and in the mean time also studied in Japan and in India. On his solo debut Circe he amazed with a self-devised microtonal system and since then Chrisholm played with Root70, David Sylvian and others. Furthermore, he created music for films and installations of Rebecca Horn. In 2013 he was awarded the SWR-Jazz-Prize. Philip Zoubek studied in Vienna and from there resettled to Cologne in 2001. For over 10 years the unconventional pianist has been in contact with Gramss and also played with Louis Sclavis, Rudi Mahall, Simon Nabatov, Clayton Thomas and many more. His trademark is extensive preparation of the grand piano with aluminum pots, glasses and plastic toys, which decisively expand on Cage’s basic idea. Just like for their debut album, Slowfox has found a poetic guiding motif for Gentle Giants as well, and its words were interspersed throughout the titles in the track listing. Since the order of the compositions on the album obviously follows a tonal dramaturgy, some of them now randomly carry peculiar names like “Were”, “To Be” or “The”. The entire quote - “And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music“ - is accredited to Friedrich Nietzsche, Gramss says, but it is uncertain if it really originated with the philosopher. What is for sure though, is that the clarity and deeper meaning of the sentence Slowfox very well. The trio’s nuanced music can make the mind dance and its listeners will definitely not be declared insane Record Label: Traumton Style: Jazz

Record Label: Enlightenment Series Style: Jazz

Chuck Israels Jazz Orchestra with guest soloist Dan Faehnle head into Crossroads Studios this month to record a new album for Dot Time Records called "Need To Know Bassist". Chuck's exquisite and sensitive compositions, including the spectacular mini-concerto for piano "Concerto Peligrosso", will make up the majority of the tracks on the new record. Other highlights will include his arrangement of a beautiful American folk song "All the Pretty Horses", and a tribute to Sonny Rollins called "Sound of Sonny" based on the saxophone colossus' solo on the tune "Toot, Toot, Tootsie, Goodbye". Stay tuned for more details on this exciting new recording! Record Label: Dot Time Records Style: Jazz

Re-release of the hard-to-get debut album by Torun Eriksen. here is an excerpt from the original press release: Glittercard makes the world with a remarkable singing talents , Produced by Jazzland founder Bugge Wesseltoft. Torun Eriksen does not have to move. The Sincerity, which characterizes her texts, is always in her To find voice. The jazz singer from the south Norwegian Telemark has an unusually clear expression, Tal-times, I could improve my experience with improvised Music, and I could get my lyrical side "Électronique Noir is now regarded as a classic. The label colleagues Bugge Wesseltoft and Nils-Petter Molvær can be heard as guests. "The title Électronique Noir says it all about the album: it's cinematic music, Meditative, dark, electronic, "says Eivind Aarset. The perfect with the warm sound of their four - headed Band harmonies. Glittercard is a remarkably mature one Debütalbum, which is a decade-long musical education Translucent. Wesseltoft said Torun Eriksen as one of the greatest singing talents he has ever been to Norway. Glittercard has a gently grooving Gospel and R & B coloring, blown by Scandinavian Melancholy. And then there is Torun Eriksen's voice, the Of the purity of a Norwegian mountain stream is: melodic, Clear, and gently gentle. "The voice of the year on The jazz scene. "Dagsavisen Record Label: Jazzland Recordings Style: Jazz

Record Label: Enlightenment Series Style: Jazz

After more than 200 concerts in Europe the American Robyn Bennett and her band "Bang Bang present the new album The Song Is You. Jazz-influences are still present, even as pop is now given a larger space. Rock and swing, soul and fun unite with the highest musical power. From irresistible rhythms and the sticky melodies up to explosive brass is everything in there. "I like the concept of stone skipping on a calm water surface. It is a way to offer nature. The stone defies at the same time, for a while, his unchanging destiny, the gravitation to obey. The album features also the Grammy Award Nominated Gretchen Parlato and Theo Bleckmann as well as Neli and Kalina Andreeva. The band presents an album of own songs like a melting pot of the music of today's New Orleans: blues, funk, country, soul and rock, with jazz. Previously Bang Bang has already published two self-produced albums (Bang Bang in 2009 and Live Until You Die in 2011). Record Label: O-Tone Music Style: Jazz

Artist: Doug Macdonald Label: Blu-jazz

Одноименный дебют на ECM от Quercus, получивший премию "альбом года" от немецкой ассоциации звукозаписывающих критиков в 2013 году, получил высокую оценку международной прессы и особенно отмечался в Великобритании, где Джун Табор уже давно считается «темноголосой королевой Английской фолк-музыки "(цитата из The Times). Народная, джазовая и камерная музыка, сливаясь превращаются в мир Quercus, где реконтекстуализация материала является частью процесса, заставляя слушателей уделять повышенное внимание даже знакомым песням. "Nightfall" открывается известной шотландской песней "Auld Lang Syne" и постепенно вдыхает в нее новую жизнь, вводя нас в программу, включающую "Don’t Think Twice" Боба Дилана, джазовый стандарт "You Don’t Know What Love Is" и баллада "Somewhere" из легендарной West Side Story, а также оригинальные композиции Ха Уоррен и Иана Баллами, наряду с традиционными британскими народными песнями в новых аранжировках. Artist: Quercus Label: ECM

Artist: Miles Mosley Label: Verve

Канадская джазовая вокалистка, композитор и трубачка Бриа Сконберг выпускает свой новый альбом, получивший название "With a Twist". Несмотря на молодость, Бриа уже довольно известна в джазовой среде. На ее счету множество призов и наград в международных джазовых фестивалях и конкурсах (в том числе премия «Джуно» — канадский аналог «Грэмми»). Для работы над альбомом Бриа воссоединилась с продюсером Мэттом Пирсоном, с которым она работала над созданием ее прошлогоднего лонгплея "Bria". Так же в записи приняли участие следующие музыканты: 5-ти кратный обладатель Грэмми Гил Гольдштейн (клавишные, аккордеон), Салливан Фортнер (клавишные), басист Скотт Колли и барабанщик Мэтт Уилсон. На альбоме "With a Twist" Бриа отдает дань уважения целому ряду легендарных исполнителей, которые в наибольшей степени повлияли на нее в музыкальном плане: стартовый трек "My Baby Just Cares For Me" символизирует низкий поклон Нине Симон, в то время как трек "Alright, Okay, You Win" вызывает воспоминания о американской джазовой певице Пегги Ли. Также включена удивительная версия "It's Oh So Quiet" Бьорк, песня, которую Сконберг любила с тех пор, когда она была в старшей школе. Более современные хиты - "Dance Me to the End of Love" Леонарда Коэна и "Thinking Out Loud" Эда Ширана - показывают, что Сконберг, опытный джазовый исполнитель, интересуется и современной поп-музыкой. Artist: Bria Skonberg Label: SONY MASTERWORKS

Unique compilation and 100th release in the catalogue of Sonorama Records - file under: cool, modern, hard bop, modal! Fourteen previously unknown tracks recorded 1959-63 in West-Germany by some of the best European jazz artists of the time, featuring Barney Wilen, Francy Boland, Rolf Kühn, Joki Freund, Attila Zoller, Fats Sadi, Roland Kovac, Rolf Ericson, Michael Naura and countless others. All tunes picked from collectors' archives, carefully mastered for 2LP-Gatefold and Longplay Digipack-CD with new sleeve notes and artist photos by Susanne Schapowalow and Hans Harzheim. Great moments from the most prosperous period in the development of European progressive jazz. Record Label: Sonorama Style: Jazz

DELUXE VINYL EDITION!!! Classic late period festival show from Miles' final tour. Miles Davis is backed by Kenny Garrett on alto saxophone and flute, Kei Agaki on synths, Richard Patterson on bass, Ricky Wellman on drums, Erin Davis (Mile’s youngest son, incorrectly announced as John Bigham) on electronic percussion, and John “Foley” McCreary, Jr. on “lead bass” - a custom Blue Marble instrument tuned almost an octave higher than a standard model to fill the role of a lead guitarist. The choice of material was equally as curious and exciting, consisting of one cut apiece from 1983’s Star People and 1989’s Amandla, a few numbers previously un-released on studio recordings, and a trio of covers - Scritti Politti’s ‘Perfect Way,’ Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’ and Michael Jackson’s ‘Human Nature.’ Despite rumours of failing health during this period, Miles’ playing is just as sharp and energetic as ever it was, and his band expertly blend together a complex mixture of jazz, funk and fusion. Broadcast live on local radio for those unable to attend, this release captures the group’s full set providing a snapshot of a jazz great giving one of the finest performances of his late career. Sadly, there were scant opportunities left for such as little more than a year after performing the show, now available here for the first time, Miles Davis passed away at the age of 65 Record Label: Parachute Style: Jazz

Jef Neve signed with Universal Music Belgium, and the third album, “Nobody is Illegal” (2006) was best selling jazz album in Belgium and reviews superlative (On his major label debut ‘Nobody Is Illegal’ his highly personal approach to the piano trio announces the arrival of a young musician of enormous promise who has the potential to become a major voice on the European jazz scene - Stuart Nicholson, 12/06) Record Label: Universal Style: Jazz

180 GRAM AUDIOPHILE VINYL GATEFOLD SLEEVE WITH DELUXE SPOT VARNISH REMASTERED EXPANDED EDITION FIRST TIME ON VINYL FEATURING MARVIN GAYE AND PAUL CARRACK LIMITED EDITION OF 1.000 NUMBERED COPIES ON WHITE VINYL Originally released in March 2007, Sex 'N' Jazz, starring Marvin Gaye, Paul Carrack and Erik Truffaz, immediately captured the public's attention and became an overnight success for Dutch groove jazz band Gare du Nord. Tracks like "Marvin & Miles", "You're My Medicine" and "Beautiful Day" would become instant classics and kick started a new jazz pop wave in The Netherlands. The appeal of the album was also recognized by jazz label Blue Note and in 2009 a remixed version of the album hit the shelves. With the key tracks, originally mixed in the chill mode, dramatically remixed in club soul style, the blue label parachuted Sex 'N' Jazz into platinum heaven. This 2017 expanded edition brings together both the Blue Note remix album master and the original vintage album master from early 2007 for the very first time. State of the art remastered, this landmark edition of Sex 'N' Jazz sounds as crispy as ever. This must be the ultimate fan experience to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the trendsetting club soul masterwork and its prelude. Ten years after its original release, the album is now available on vinyl for the first time. The first limited, individually numbered edition is pressed on white vinyl. Only 1.000 copies available. Further decades may pass and public taste may change, but it will always be just the right time for Sex 'N' Jazz. Record Label: Music On Vinyl Style: Jazz

Unique compilation and 100th release in the catalogue of Sonorama Records - file under: cool, modern, hard bop, modal! Fourteen previously unknown tracks recorded 1959-63 in West-Germany by some of the best European jazz artists of the time, featuring Barney Wilen, Francy Boland, Rolf Kühn, Joki Freund, Attila Zoller, Fats Sadi, Roland Kovac, Rolf Ericson, Michael Naura and countless others. All tunes picked from collectors' archives, carefully mastered for 2LP-Gatefold and Longplay Digipack-CD with new sleeve notes and artist photos by Susanne Schapowalow and Hans Harzheim. Great moments from the most prosperous period in the development of European progressive jazz. Record Label: Sonorama Style: Jazz

With his 28 years, the bassist Rafael Jerjen is one of the greatest talents that the small but fine jazz scene in Australia has to offer. The native Swiss is not a friend of tight corsets and specifications. On the contrary, his Rafael Jerjen Concept is a compositional playground. He then develops pieces with changing musicians for different formations. After a quintet and a septet-cast (in which he shone Hank Mobleys' milestone "Soul Station" in a new glow), he now dedicates himself to Tricept of the King's discipline: the Jazz Trio. The cover photo shows three equal, overlapping triangles, which explain the bassist's philosophy. "Interplay is of central importance to me. We Three lead a musical conversation on one level and contribute to the same extent to the compositions, "Jerjen explains his trio concept, in which he explicitly includes the contrabass. "The bass is an enormous sounding and sonorous instrument - much too bad to squeeze it into pieces or to reduce it to the role of accompanying walking bass." Jerjens melodic bass play - sometimes deliberately dreamy, sometimes groovy-gripping - is only one factor, with which his ensemble stands out from the mass of the triple formations. "Especially in the USA I observe a trend towards simple compositions in comparatively poppy robes. This, of course, is justified. But my pieces sound rugged and energetic. Free elements create space for improvisations. In addition, we often change the meter within the pieces, which gives us an energy boost, "the bassist explains the special sound of Tricept. Record Label: Laika Style: Jazz

Since Shai Maestro's trio debut in 2011 his musical path has been closely connected with the search for a holistic, full humanity. He is supported by Jorge Roeder (bass) and Ziv Ravitz (drums). The musical identity of the trio, shaped over the past six years, gave him a special status in the international jazz scene. "The Stone Skipper" is the fourth album and the common story of the trio. It is at the same time the creation and the story of persons who surpass themselves and their limits within their own way. "I like the concept of stone skipping, that is, the" rocking "on a calm surface of the water, which is a way of ending nature, for a while the stone defies its irrefutable destiny of obeying the earth's gravity Beyond himself. " The Grammy Award nominees are Gretchen Parlato and Theo Bleckmann as well as Neli and Kalina Andreeva Record Label: O-Tone Music Style: Jazz

After their last program A Women Thing, a congenial tribute to their musical heroines, Les Brünettes simply felt like a "boys thing". And who could they do better than the Boygroup of all Boygroups: The Beatles. Through the eyes of four women, a fascinating close-up of the life and music of the Fab Four emerged. To get even closer to the Beatles Spirit, Les Brünettes have even recorded this album at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London, the place where Paul, George, Ringo and John wrote and recorded many of their world-famous songs. Musicians, fans, biographers and contemporaries are still discovering the secret of the Beatles. How could these four but really normal guys from Liverpool become lightning conductors of the longing of a whole generation? Certainly also because they were a real "band" - more than just the sum of their individual parts. Four ingenious musicians, four songwriters, four singers and not least four friends. Each band member incorporated his musical ideas into the band, contributing to the tremendous variety of their music. A band concept that also Les Brünettes live and love and with which they allow themselves to enter again and again new musical paths beyond the a cappella mainstream. It is a feast to see how Les Brünettes are now putting their tremendous vocal possibilities into the service of these timeless songs - not just for the hardcore Beatles fans. In their armaments, the four of the mushroom heads can be inspired to create creative, playful, sometimes cheeky highs. They dedicate the much-loved big hits, discover more unknown songs and surprise with cross-connections between the pieces. In their own songs, Les Brünettes also describe as songwriters what they touch on the stories of the Beatles - they read between the lines of the songs, interrogate and reissue them, and even let Yoko Ono speak. The musical spectrum from the innocence of the early years to the late creative phase of the Beatles with their more complex song structures, Les Brünettes perform on the stage, rousing, sensual and full of energy. Short scenes, dialogues and film clips frame the music with a dramaturgical arc that throws ironic, bizarre, thoughtful, but always surprising hits on the most famous pop band of all time. Each of the four exquisite musicians brings their own personal access to the Beatles, which, despite or because of the deep respect for their musical work, is never just nostalgic revelry. Rather, it is a total work of art that rocks, grots, swings, and always comes directly into the heart with the warm and harmonious harmony of the four women voices. Record Label: Herzog Records Gmbh Style: Jazz

An iridescent fusion of wind instrumnets and electronics makes for entertaining sci-fi jazz. Niels Klein has always questioned genre boundaries,, his interest in music and sound is far too wide. "What is jazz at all?" Asks the saxophonist and clarinetist. His answer: "Most of what is interesting leaves behind traditional categorizations." Born in 1978 in Hamburg and since his studies in Cologne, he has distinguished himself as a composer and director of various formations in recent years. While Klein was awarded several times for his elaborate compositions and his expressive and colorful play, he goes with his quartet Tubes & Wires in other directions. Here, the tension field of natural and electronically generated sounds, the encounter of wood and electricity is explored. In addition, solos and sounds are equally justified. At the same time, Klein again demonstrates his sense for special concepts. The dazzling fusion of blues and electronics, the mix of atmospheric-refined banding and exciting improvisations, gives Tubes & Wires' second album an equally idiosyncratic and entertaining sci-fi jazz. Most of the songs were recorded live in the studio in three days. About half of the repertoire had already written the quartet on tour, the rest wrote to Klein within a year. Record Label: Traumton Style: Jazz

Turn Up The Quiet - новый альбом джазовой певицы Дайаны Кролл, вышедший в мае 2017 года на лейбле Verve Records. Дайана Кролл канадская джазовая певица, пианистка и композитор принадлежит к числу самых успешных личностей современной джазовой сцены. Является обладательницой уникального достижения: нет другой джазовой вокалистки, у которой сразу восемь альбомов после выпуска взлетали бы на верхние строчки чартов Billboard.