Mainstream Jazz

Artist: Fadoul Label: Habibi Funk

Artist: Fadoul Label: Habibi Funk

Record Label: Yellowbird Style: Jazz

Both are among the most distinguished musicians and composers of the current German jazz scene, have been awarded multiple prizes (for example the ECHO Jazz) and have been playing together in various formations for 10 years. Never before though, could they be heard together in such an intimate setting as on their first duo-album Canada. Their mostly original compositions, which were - with two exceptions - written specifically for this album, and even more so their subtle, often lyrical, sometimes also energetic interplay are unmistakably influenced by the recording location: Lethbridge in Alberta, Canada. The initiator of this chamber-musically sensitive production was an acquaintance of Frederik Köster’s. “Thilo Schaller is a professor for audio engineering at the University of Lethbridge, not far from Calgary. He had invited us, to record something with him,” the trumpeter tells. “So we were there for ten days and in the meantime explored the surrounding country.” Köster (*14.10.'77) and Sternal (*2.10.'83) had already been manifested Canada fans. Sternal had written the piece „Calgary“ for the second album of his Symphonic Society, which was released last spring. More recent titles, like “Into The Wild” or the comparatively erratic piece “Hunting”, can be heard as pleasant anticipation of the trip and spontaneous transformation of the impressions on-site turned to music. “Of course we already had the country in mind while composing,” Sternal says, “and then the atmosphere there strongly influenced the direction the arrangements and improvisational parts of the pieces went in.” In addition to the recordings, the trip was a real adventure for the two friends. “In the Waterton Lakes National Park in the Canadian part of the Rocky Mountains we saw bears and swam in mountain lakes,” Sebastian Sternal exclaims mightily impressed. One would maybe expect a more edged sound, given the rough mountainous landscapes. However, much more strongly than the jagged Canadian Rockies, the play of colors of the woods and far views over grasslands seem to have inspired the pieces; instead of the usual urban bustle a general calmness resonates in many pieces. The melodies change from harmonic phrases to delicate abstractions; Köster varies the sound of his flugelhorn from creamy to onomatopoeic, while Sternal selectively flashes up his dexterity, without ever surrendering his grounding completely. At times rather contemplative, at others with emphasis, the music always exhibits the original signatures of the two artists from Cologne and Mainz. “Since we were already in Canada now, we wanted to reference two of our favorite composers on this record,” Frederik Köster explains about the two cover titles, namely Kenny Wheeler’s “For Jan” and Joni Mitchell’s “A Case Of You”. Not only trumpeter Frederik Köster was lastingly inspired by Wheeler. He even visited him in London shortly before his death. But also the pianist Sternal is thrilled by Wheeler and calls this grandmaster of ulterior suspenseful melancholy “a huge influence”. Almost anybody who values personal poetic songs with a musical vision can agree on Joni Mitchell. Her birthplace Fort MacLeod is close to Lethbridge. “Of course we drove there, in anticipation of a museum or something of that sort,” Sebastian Sternal recounts. Instead they found “a town without the slightest indication or reference. It was like in a bizarre movie. We had to ask our way, met a librarian in the local library who could indeed remember Joni’s parents, but referred us to the town theatre. Also there nobody could help us and we were sent to an old craft glazier named Gerry Eversole. He had actually knew Joni, had studied with her at the art school in Calgary and had funny stories to tell. For example, that she had seen herself much more as a painter than as a musician in the beginning.” Of course such experiences have a formative influence on the recording sessions, Köster and Sternal realize retrospectively. “We are convinced, that it turned out to be such an atmospherically intense album precisely for that reason,” Frederik Köster says, and Sebastian Sternal adds with a smile: “In a way Canada is a ‘concept album’ in the classic sense: a homogenous record, which can be unerringly pulled from the shelf to suit a certain mood.” The expressive power of these two musician-personalities ensures that the range from cautiously shimmering to trenchantly beaming sounds develops its own aura and irresistible intensity. Record Label: Traumton Style: Jazz

Artist: My Cat Is An Alien Label: Backwards

Artist: Florian Weber Label: Enja (Soulfood)

Artist: French Touch Label: Rookie Records (Cargo Records)

Artist: Peter Sextet Brötzmann; Artist: Quartet Label: Cien Fuegos (Cargo Records)

Record Label: 50 Weapons Style: Techno

FIVE CD SET COVERING THE PIVOTAL RECORDINGS OF THIS JAZZ LEGEND - THE CLASSIC ALBUMS 1956 - 1962 Record Label: Enlightenment Series Style: Jazz

The first little album by the Duo incarnation of The Burning Hell. As seen live on many occasions, this is Canadian singer/guitarist Mathias Kom and his Partner Ariel Sharratt on vocals and clarinet. Inbetween touring in 2015 they've recorded a couple of duets, 8 new songs. It's a labour of love, as intimate, as uplifting. Mathias' half-spoken bariton and Ariel's airy high voice go perfectly together. So do the lyrics with the lines switching between them. The words overall appear a bit less mischievous and caustic, suitable to the intimate atmosphere and the theme, which is She&Him (or Him & Him, like in "Eugene & Maurice"). Smart observations on relations in a crazy mixed up world. still, the album is "a lesson in wit and nuance" (as Uncut, UK put it for the previous band album "People"). This short duo album, entitled Ariel Sharratt & Mathias Kom - ,Don't Believe The Hyperreal" will be released in late November through BB*Island in Europe and Headless Owl in Canada (as limited Vinyl, CD, digital). Shortly after the street date they'll be on a tour with Berlin-based band Susie Asado. For fans of: Bill Calahan, Jonathan Richman, Isobel Campbell & Marc Lanegan, Dan Mangan, Jeffrey Lewis Record Label: Bb'Island Style: Indie Rock

Norwegian blackened thrash metal band Vingulmork delivers their debut album Chiaroscuro with passion. Aggressive, old school thrash goes head to head with contemporary black metal and melodic hooks on a record that seeks to emphasize the contrasts between light and dark, musically, lyrically and vis Record Label: Inverse Style: Trash Metal

THE COMPLETE BLUE NOTE COLLECTION: 1957 - 1960. THE GOLDEN AGE OF ART BLAKEY & THE JAZZ MESSENGERS 4CD BOX. DISC 1 1.Sam's Tune 05:52 2.Scotch Blues 08:31 3.Once Upon A Groove 08:37 4.Comments By Art Blakey 01:55 5.Ritual 10:00 6.Touche 06:17 7.Wake Up 05:05 8.Moanin' 09:33 9.Are You Real? 04:47 1 Record Label: Enlightenment Series Style: Jazz

Artist: Chippendale; Artist: Gustafsson; Artist: Pupillo Label: Trost

Artist: George King; Artist: Carl Raven Label: Odradek

Artist: OHIO PLAYERS Label: Elemental

Artist: Alice Zawadzki; Artist: Dan Whieldon Label: Odradek

Artist: Various Artists Label: ACT Music

Artist: Peter Brotzmann Label: Cien Fuegos

Artist: Torsten Goods Label: ACT Music