May 28, 2017

Congreso ‎– Pájaros de Arcilla (1984, Chile)


Sophisticated, brillant, "Pájaros de Arcilla" is a solid example of Congreso's amazing mix of latin fusion, jazz-rock and progressive oriented with avant touch. An absolute masterpiece.


May 25, 2017

Dr. Tree ‎– Dr. Tree (1975, New Zealand)

 
BUY Dr Tree EMI CD Edition
When this album came out in the mid-Seventies jazz-rock fusion was at its peak and many otherwise sensible jazz musicians were wooed to the dark side. Few came out with any dignity (they just didn't get "rock") but Dr Tree from Auckland nailed it directly at a point where they were most comfortable; more jazz than rock because they were jazz musicians.
The album was reissued in late 2008: these are the liner notes for it which I was invited to write. . . .
Times change -- but not so much that this reissue of the classic jazz-rock album by the Auckland outfit Dr Tree doesn’t still sound exciting.
Today the jazz-rock fusion of the early 70s -- hinted at by Jimi Hendrix, godfathered by Miles Davis and brought to life by Weather Report and Return to Forever -- is back in the ears of a new generation of listeners.
And they too are enjoying the possibilities of a musical adventure unfettered by styles, and of musicians prepared to take risks in ways that mainstream jazz or straight-ahead rock bands today seem to recoil from.
This Dr Tree album -- their sole release unfortunately -- may come from more than three decades ago (my vinyl copy is date 1976) but it still has the capacity to thrill.
And why shouldn‘t it?
Look at the roll-call of players on hand: drummer Frank Gibson; trumpeter and percussion player Kim Paterson; guitarist Martin Winch, percussion player John Banks; bassist Bob Jackson and keyboard player Murray McNabb.
And Colin Hemmingsen guests on soprano sax.
In the early 70s these were mature musicians who had been schooled in jazz and had honed their skills at literally hundreds of gigs, but they were still young enough to be as excited by the possibilities of jazz-rock fusion as their peers and mentors overseas.
So here were some of New Zealand’s finest jazz musicians (then and now) bringing their collective skills to bear on adventurous music which had listeners and critics alike hailing them.
In fact, although they seem to be written out of the texts on Kiwi rock history, it is worth being reminded that Dr Tree won two major music industry awards on the release of this album: most promising group and top group performance. And they were both in the “rock” category.
Of course today we hear more jazz than rock in this music, which is understandable given who is on hand. But through Dr Tree, ventures under their own name or in other groups, these musicians made a contribution to New Zealand music in the 70s that should never be underestimated -- and most are still name-players in the local jazz scene today.
But that is now and this was then: so listen here to Martin Winch peel off an astral-flight solo in Transition or jigsaw’n’spiral his way through Affirmation; enjoy Kim Paterson’s taut trumpet on his own composition Eugino D; be impressed by Frank Gibson’s deft and driving drumming everywhere, but particularly on his own One For Dianne; smile to yourself at the hard-won musical intuition Murray McNabb brings to this set . . .
For two years Dr Tree soared across the jazz-rock world in New Zealand then the main-players went their own ways, always influencing, always making memorable music. Recognition of the comet-like career of Dr Tree is long overdue.
Let’s hope the reissue of this innovative album -- award-winning we remind ourselves -- affords Dr Tree and its individual members the attention and respect they deserve.
Times may have changed, but not so much we can’t hear today what a great band Dr Tree were. Graham Reid

May 21, 2017

Gruppo Folk Internazionale ‎– '75-'79 (2006, 2xCD, ITALY)

Gruppo Folk Internazionale 1975/1979 (2006)
“La riedizione su CD degli album del Gruppo Folk Internazionale (GFI) e dell’Ensemble Havadià sarebbe giustificata anche solo dall’importanza che ha assunto la figura di Moni Ovadia, che di entrambi i gruppi fu l’ispiratore e una delle personalità principali. Chi ha conosciuto Ovadia come uomo di teatro, come interprete della tradizione ebraica, come umorista e ideologo, non farà fatica a trovare in questi dischi le fonti dell’intensità e della versatilità che hanno contribuito a determinare il suo grande successo. Chi lo conosceva da prima non ha mai avuto dubbi che Moni abbia sviluppato e perfezionato capacità e repertori che erano già suoi fino dagli anni settanta: questi materiali potrebbero essere tutti o quasi tutti estratti dagli spettacoli più recenti di Moni.
Ma nel GFI e nell’Ensemble Havadià non c’era solo Ovadia. Erano gruppi, calati fino in fondo nell’idea collaborativa che fu imposta prima ancora che dai Beatles, dai collettivi che animarono la scena del folk revival angloamericano, dagli Almanac Singers e dai Weavers di Pete Seeger al London Critics Group di Ewan Mc Coll: quest’ultima fu una delle influenze più forti che portarono alla nascita del GFI. Il contributo di tutti componenti fu importantissimo: non solo al lavoro dei due Gruppi, ma anche a quello della Cooperativa l’Orchestra, che aiutarono a fondare. E’ impossibile non citare almeno le voci eccezionali di Mariuccia Colegni, Silvia Paggi, Roberta Zanuso, il contributo strumentale e compositivo di Maurizio Dehò, Alfredo Lacosegliaz, Piero Milesi, Mario Arcari, che sono stati tutti in vari modi coinvolti nelle fasi successive della carriera di Ovadia. E non solo: Mauro Pagani ha riconosciuto il suo debito verso il GFI per la “svolta” che lo ha portato a comporre per De André le musiche di Creuza de ma; Arcari ha lavorato a lungo con Fossati e De André, per il quale Milesi é stato arrangiatore e poi produttore negli ultimi due album: nel materiale del GFI e dell’Ensamble Havadià si respira l’aria della migliore canzone d’autore italiana degli ultimi
vent’anni.”
Gruppo Folk Internazionale ‎– Festa Popolare (1976)
LP - L'orchestra ‎– OLP 10005 A
Elenco tracce:
A1 Orange Blossom Special (trad) 1:57
A2 Na Kone' (trad) 1:56
A3 Main Rue Platz 2:34
A4 Brother Did You Weep 2:07
A5 Sentite Buona Gente (trad) 3:18
A6 Deportee 4:10
A7 Doña Javiera Carrera (trad) 2:50
B1 The Wark Of The Weavers (trad) 2:04
B2 Ena Dilino' 2:30
B3 La Fontanella (trad) 2:29
B4 Santy Ano (trad) 2:03
B5 Reel (trad) 1:32
B6 Polesine 4:04
B7 La Petenera (trad) 3:58

Gruppo Folk Internazionale ‎– Daloy Politzei (1977)
LP - L'Orchestra ‎– OLP/10013
Elenco tracce:
A1 Daloy Politzei  (Trad) 2:31
A2 Pod Goroi Rasli Zvietocki (Trad) 4:03
A3 Tanac  (Trad) 1:00
A4 Gasta E' Magla (Trad) 2:25
A5 Vrlicko Kolo (Trad) 3:21
A6 Szeki Tancok (Trad) 4:46
B1 Stojan Na Stanka Dumaše (Trad) 5:23
B2 Kolo Danza Croata (Trad) 2:16
B3 Sida Ruda (Trad) 2:47
B4 Moldava (Trad) 2:58
B5 Szerelim - Szerelem (Trad) 1:12
B6 Hol Jiartal Az Jiel (Trad) 2:10

Gruppo Folk Internazionale ‎– Le Mille E Una Notte (1979)
LP 12", 45 RPM - L'Orchestra ‎– OM 101 
 
Elenco tracce:
A1 Città Bianca E Azzurra 2:16
A2 Festa Pomposa 4:21
B1 Morte Di Sherazade 3:00
B2 Danza Finale 2:08

Gruppo Folk Internazionale ‎– Il Nonno Di Jonni (1979)
LP - L'Orchestra ‎– OLPS 55001
Elenco tracce:
A1 El Kolo Go Balà
A2 Il Nonno Di Jonni 
B1 Gavrilka Il Ferroviere 
B2 La Piccola Fiammiferaia 
B3 La Fortezza

Arranged By, Producer – Gruppo Folk Internazionale (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09)
Artwork – Indipendent Studio
Cello – Piero Milesi (tracks: 2.01 to 2.04)
Cover – Luca Piscicelli (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14)
Cover [Cover Illustration] – Massimo Borghesi (tracks: 1.15 to 1.26)
Graphics – Alberto Mazzenzana (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09)
Liner Notes – Franco Fabbri
Mixed By – Lino Castriotta (tracks: 1.15 to 1.26)
Other [Realization] – Mia Rosenfeld
Performer:
Alfredo Lacosegliaz (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09), Claudia Gallone (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14), Enrico Sassoon (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14), Gianfranco Calabrese (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09), Marco Ribeca (tracks: 1.15 to 1.26), Mario Arcari (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09), Mariuccia Colegni, Maurizio Dehò (tracks: 1.01 to 1.26), Moni Ovadia, Paolo Oniga (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14), Piero Milesi (tracks: 1.15 to 1.26), Roberta Zanuso (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14), Silvia Paggi (tracks: 1.15 to 2.09) Photography – Cerocchi, Enrico Valenti - Studio Egle (tracks: 1.15 to 1.26), Fabio Treves (tracks: 1.01 to 1.14), Roveri Contax, Marco Dalumi (tracks: 2.05 to 2.09) Songwriter – A. Lacosegliaz* (tracks: 2.05 to 2.08), Maurizio Dehò (tracks: 2.01 to 2.04) Technician [Fonico] – Lino Castriotta (tracks: 2.01 to 2.09) Technician [Sound Technician] – Lino Castriotta (tracks: 1.01 to 1.26), Maurizio Dugoni (tracks: 2.01 to 2.04)

Ensemble Havadià ‎– '81-'82 (2006, CD, Italy) Repost!

A very adventurous band, this Italian Avant/Folk ensemble never got much attention during their fairly short formation during the early 80's, therefore information on this band is hard to find. Their music is very pleasant yet challenging, with also some notable classical and ethnic influences incorporated in their overall sound. The vocals plays a significant role in their music as well, with almost Zeuhl-ish male and female vocal stylistics that flows systematically well with the music. They released one studio album and one EP in 1981 and 1982 with their best release being the self-titled studio album wich represents everything musically decribed in this bio at its best, a truly admiring release and an essential of it's genre. Ensemble Havadià disbanded shortly after these releases, but they are both reissued on CD so if you stumble over it then check it out if you have a desire for avantgarde, folk and classical music.

Napoli Centrale ‎– Qualcosa Ca Nu' Mmore (1978, CD, Italy)


Tracks:
1. O Nemico Mio (8:42)
2. O Specchio Addo' Me Guardo (8:30)
3. Qualcosa Ca Nu' Mmore (4:34)
4. A Musica Mia Che R'e' (5:58)
5. A Musica Si Tu (6:06)
6. Nun Song Na Vacca (4:17)

Musicians:
Bass, Effects – Ngtù Mabutu (tracks: A1)
Drums, Percussion – Franco Del Prete
Effects, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Woodwind, Vocals – James Senese
Lyrics By – F. Del Prete (tracks: A1, B1, B3)
Music By – J. Senese
Percussion – Alfonso Adinolfi
Piano, Organ – Pippo Guarnera
Technician – Attilio Ruggiero

May 20, 2017

Panta Rhei - Bartok (1977, Hungary)

Bartok (1976-77) All the pieces are Bartok adaptations, some from the Microcosmos. Ostinato, Allegro Barbaro and Dance Suite were recorded live. On Ostinato the drummer is Miklos Kiss. The first three songs would have been on the unreleased single.

Panta Rhei played in Hungary, from 1974 to 1982, in various styles, from jazz to progressive rock. They also designed and built their own synthesizers. Later they continued recording as P.R.Computer. Panta Rhei were well known in Hungary for their classical adaptations (in particular from Bela Bartok and Edward Grieg) and their instrumental compositions. Their music was heavily influenced by ELP, Nice, King Crimson, etc. 
The band recorded 2 LPs, and about 6 singles, and numerous pieces for film and ballet. Their LPs sold over 100,000 copies in Hungary and Eastern Europe. A CD of some of the previously unpublished music was released in 1998. In 2002 a book about the band was published, accompanied by a CD with a collection of songs recorded between 1975-79. Their Bartok recordings were never released, due to objections by the Bartok family.

May 15, 2017

Terreno Baldio ‎– Além Das Lendas Brasileiras (1977, LP, Brasil)

From the well made fusion between the best of progressive rock in the same vein of Gentle Giant with brailian folk music to a marvelous cover version of Chico Buarque, "Passaredo" (and thats not a easy task, must be said), the music itself is very criative, fluid and variated, showing the best of Brazilian Progressive Music.
The choise to sing the most know brazilian legends was a ambitious task. Not only because Brazil have a lot of, and, being the size it is, but because even the most common ones have a thousand of changes bewteen them. But the lyrics achieved to highlight the intersection points of this stories (and the vocals work, especially when accompanied with flutes). Flutes, by the way, that emulates the brazilian birds in "Iara" in a magnificent track. (GKR)

May 13, 2017

Robert Genco ‎– Beyond The Life (oltre la vita) (1977, Italy)

Batterista calabrese, Roberto Genco ha inciso e pubblicato privatamente il suo unico album Beyond the life (Oltre la vita) nel 1977. Con un'ottima qualità tecnico-musicale e di registrazione, per essere un'autoproduzione, il disco è di genere jazz-rock e contiene 5 lunghi brani con testi in inglese, cantati dallo stesso Genco, accompagnato da ottimi musicisti come il chitarrista Giorgio Cocilovo e il sassofonista e flautista Hugo Heredia. Un bel disco, purtroppo poco conosciuto e finalmente ristampato in CD solo nel 2011.

Il musicista non riuscì a realizzare nessun altro disco e, dopo una vita molto difficile, è scomparso nel dicembre 2014.

May 12, 2017

The Locals‎ - The Young Lovers (1980, LP, Germany)



THE LOCALS were a German rock band from Hannover. Around the end of the 70's they were founded by guitarist Michael RIETZKE from Leverkusen who at the time played with various jazz and rock bands in Cologne, Hannover and Hamburg. In their own words, their music was a response to pop, rock and punk establishment of the time; led by RIETZKE on lead guitar and with vocals in English they delivered an interesting combination of what can be described as ZAPPA's humorous and more accessible work with the more wild and instrumental jazz rock side.

THE LOCALS were active somewhere up until 1983 when RIETZKE dedicated himself more to his solo career along with the band keyboardist Ralf PIEFKOWSKI. Their recordings were in total one studio and a live album that are recommended to fans of Frank ZAPPA.

Side A
A1 Futy Number
A2 The Last Attempt
A3 You Donna, Donna
A4 Dontch'a Blow Your Top
A5 What Do You Feel
A6 Wild Arab
A7 Wet Napkin
Side B
B1 Not Expose
B2 Eddy Was A Punk
B3 Let Me See You What Is In You
B4 Let Me Go To Puna
B5 Long Arm Inspection
B6 Girls
B7 The Young Lovers

Musicians:
Michael Rietzke / guitars, vocals, keyboards
Ralf Piefkowski / keyboards, vocals
Andreas Herdy / vibes, marimba
Thorsten Raabe / bass
Christian Dorow / vocals
Thomas Quasthoff / vocals
Otto Plachetka / drums, vocal
Manfred Stürwold / Hammond

May 11, 2017

Dice - Live 1977 (2013, CD, Sweden)


Legendary Swedish Radio Archives – Vol. 3
SKU Belle Antique 132064

This is a previously unissued, great quality live release, recorded by and licensed from Swedish national radio!
Dice are an unfairly obscure Swedish symphonic rock band. They recorded one studio album and then the Japanese later dug out a very good posthumous release (recorded earlier than their studio album). The music here includes material from both their albums and is a fine symphonic rock effort from the classic period. Recommended.

May 04, 2017

Alain Eckert Quartet - Live (1981, Unreleased, France)

Personnel:
Alain Eckert (guitare électrique et acoustique)
Alain Lecointe (basse)
Serge Bringolf (batterie, saxophone soprano) 
Patricia Dallio (piano Yamaha)

Recorded live A L'Ouest de la Grosne, 30/11/1981
Tracks
1.Titre 08:22
2.Titre 18:31
3.Titre 09:00
4.Titre 06:30
5.Dense 20:22*
6.Titre 17:23
7.Titre 05:22
8.A l'Ouest 33:43*
* bonus tracks included in 2013 Soleil cd reissue

Alain Eckert et Charles Loos (1979, Unreleased, France)

Personnel:
Alain Eckert (guitare)
Charles Loos (piano)

Tracks:
1.Titre 08:44
2.Titre 22:40
3.Titre 05:20
Concert enregistré le 17 juin 1979