RARITIES #62 & # 63

STUDIO JAZZ MIT ALICE BABS (Electrola, D, 1959).

&

ALICE BABS - FUGA / St LOUIS BLUES TWIST (Brunswick, D, 1963)

Summer is back, it's sunny and warm here in Belgium, a condition which is not conducive to blogging (and also potentially disastrous for our farmers who have to cope with a severe drought threatening their crops).  

I have a whole pile of records awaiting to be ripped but the weather is too fine to stay inside.  Luckily, Ernst, of Inconstant Sol fame and a regular provider of material for this blog,  - recently sent me rips of two long-forgotten 45 rpm singles of Swedish singer Alice Babs.  They should be of interest to fans of European Jazz and Female vocalists.

Here they are:

ALICE BABS  "STUDIO JAZZ MIT ALICE BABS"

Alice Babs, vocals

Kurt Becker, vibes, flute

Willy Schweden, guitar

Paul Kuhn, piano

Johnny Fischer, bass

Stuff Combe, drums

1. I Could Write A Book  (Rodgers/Hart)  5:33

2. A Sailboat In The Moonlight  (Loeb)  5:39

Recorded in Cologne, Germany on May 15, 1959 (track 2).

Side A most likely second half of 1958 or first months of 1959.

B1 - Willy Schweden (g) most likely overdubbed on May 15, 1959 (Walter Bruyninckx) [info from discogs] 

ELECTROLA E 41206

ALICE BABS MED BENGT HALLBERG TRIO  "ST. LOUIS BLUES TWIST"

This one is in a more commercial vein. We're in 1963, in the middle of the Twist craze (at least in Europe) and"twist" records were selling like hot buns.
I assume Ms Babs (or her producer ...) wanted to give it a try hoping for a piece of the cake.

Alice Babs, vocalsBengt Hallberg, piano

Lars "Lasse" Pettersson, bass

Sture Kallin, drums

for "Jazz Fuga" add Bengt Hallberg Orchestra.

1. St. Louis Blues Twist (Handy)  3:13

2. Jazz Fuga (Kirk/Sjöblom)  2:44

Track 1 recorded in Stockholm, Sweden on January 21, 1963.

Track 2 recorded in Stockholm, Sweden on October 8, 1963.

BRUNSWICK 12 987 (german edition)

Discographical info from Discogs.

With thanks to Ernst.

FAFASIFA

MARTIAL SOLAL

FAFASIFA               CBS, France, 1967

No need to present Martial Solal I assume. 

However this album is rather unusual.  Tracks A1 to A6 and B1 are “standard” Martial Solal Trio (as far as one could call Solal’s music “standard”). B2 is solo Solal.  What to say?  The man is probably the greatest European contribution to jazz piano.  A truly original musician.

The unusual tracks are B3 to B6 where Solal plays harpsichord (B3,5,6) or both organ and piano (B4)

Tracklist

A1          Fafasifa                            2:17

A2          Reflets Mobiles               2:58

A3          Indianapolis                     2:40

A4          Atmosphère                    3:07

A5          Aquaplane                      2:33

A6          Henri's                            3:00

B1          Musique En Cinq Sets    3:15

B2          Faux Fuyants                  2:59

B3          Volez, Balles                   2:56

B4          A Pas De Loup-Garou    3:13

B5          Virevoltant                      3:06

B6          Billes De Joie                 1:25

Credits

A1-6, B1 :            Martial Solal, piano

                             Gilbert Rovere, contrebasse

                             Charles Bellonzi, percussion

B.2:                      Martial Solal, piano solo

B3,5:                    Martial Solal, harpsichord

                             Gilbert Rovere, contrebasse

                             Charles Bellonzi, percussion

B4:                       Martial Solal, electric organ and piano

B6:                       Martial Solal, harpsichord solo

These unusual tracks on side B should be of interest to collectors of Library Music.
Production M.P.I. Also released as different 10" on the French library label Musique Pour L'Image.

To the best of my knowledge and after some research on the Web, it seems that this album has not been re-issued on CD.  Correct me if I’m wrong.

(Covers taken from Discogs)

This will be my last post ... for a while.

JAN JANKEJE ‎– Zum Trotz feat. B. LAGRENE

LP Jazzpoint Records ‎– 1016 Germany, 1983

 This is not gypsy jazz despite the presence of Birelli Lagrene and a violinist.  It is high-energy contemporary jazz with hard bop and latin jazz influences.  The themes are all original.  Highly recommended!

Credits

Piano – Klaus Wagenleiter

Violin, Viola – Matthias Buck

Guitar – Bireli Lagrene (guest)

Bass – Jan Jankeje

Drums – Werner Braun

Tracklist

A1       Doo In Peru     3:58

A2       Zum Trotz       3:00

A3       Mitti    3:53

A4       Rue De Pierre   4:41

A5       Paris     4:14

B1        Berga   3:50

B2        Reinsburgstrasse          3:56

B3        Down In Town 2:27

B4        3rd Type Blues 4:15

B5        Elsa-Marie        3:16

Recorded at Studio Westend Ton, Stuttgart

See updated link in comments (17/07/17)

FAREWELL EVERY ONE ....

This will be my last post for quite a while I’m afraid.  I have taken a new long term overseas job which will leave me with little free time for the blog.  Moreover all my LPs will remain in Belgium, I won’t be able to rip anything any longer.

I wish to thank the "old" bloggers who've inspired me (Bacoso, Simon, El Rezah, Ish, Katonah, Arkadin, Inconstant Sol , E-mile, Rodney at BritJazz and many more...), all the contributors, friends and fellow bloggers who have contributed to the success of this blog (onxidlib and Paul D. especially), all the visitors, the regulars who always left a comment … but also the (more numerous) anonymous visitors (about 15 000 every months, sometime even more).

I will continue to visit the blogworld and see how it develops.  If circumstances permit I may revive the blog at a later date, I still have a good number of obscure albums never seen in the blogs to this date.  In a few years, I’ll have much more free time  and, hopefully, improved equipment and skills.

In the meantime, farewell every one, thanks for your support.

A SWISS LADY IN BRUSSELS

CHRISTINE SCHALLER – REAL LIFE

MLCAR.80062 - SELF PRODUCED / PRIVATE PRESSING

BELGIUM, 1980

This one is pretty obscure.  Swiss vocalist / pianist / composer Christine Schaller recorded in Belgium in 1980 in big band format (with ACT Big Band) on side A and in quartet format on side B.  The quartet features the inspired guitar of the late Paolo Radoni (listen to his superb playing in the title track -"Real Life" or in “Jonction” a.o.). 

This album is also the first featuring the ACT Big band (led by drummer Felix Simtaine)

.

side 1 + ACT 12 Big Band

Tracks:

1.      Ventura (Pavel Pesta)               3:53

2.      Fidji (C. Schaller)                    4:56

3.      New One (C. Schaller)             4:10

4.      Scoubidou (C. Schaller)           4:55

Credits

Christine Schaller: vocal

Richard Rousselet: trumpet, fluegelhorn

Nicolas Fissette: trumpet

Jean-Pol Danhier: trombone

Paul Bourdiaudhy: trombone

Steve Houben: alto sax, flute

Robert Jeanne: soprano and tenor sax

John Ruocco: tenor sax

Henry Solbach: barytone sax

Guy Cabay: vibes

Paolo Radoni: guitar

Charles Loos: piano

Jean-Louis Rassinfosse: double bass

Félix Simtaine: drums

side 2 + TRAVELERS

Tracks:

1.      Foxie (C. Schaller)                               3:49

2.      Morning’s Scrawl (C. Schaller)            2:44

3.      Real Life (Paolo Radoni)                      6:11

4.      Jonction (Paolo Radoni)                       6:32

Credits

Christine Schaller: vocal, piano

Paolo Radoni: guitar

Pavel Pesta: bass

Philippe Staehli: drums

Recorded in Brussels (May 1980).

(...) Le travail de Christine Schaller s'inscrit dans une esthétique moderne, swinguante, et tend vers des audaces plus contemporaines quand la chanteuse improvise en scat. Celui-ci se caractérise par des passages sans transition dans les différents registres de la voix et s'avère du même coup assez original. La première face voit Christine évoluer en compagnie de l'Act Big Band de Félix Simtaine dont c'est la première manifestation discographique: nous y retrouvons la plupart des solistes dont nous vantions les mérites dans le précédent Jazz-Hot et sur des arrangements efficaces et colorés, chacun donne la pleine mesure de ses possibilités (...)   (Philippe Bourdin, Jazz Hot)


Updated link  (17/07/17).

AN AMERICAN IN GERMANY

JIGGS WHIGHAM - HOPE
LP Telefunken (Germany) / Pausa (USA)
Germany (1977)

Another forgotten piece of top-notch Eurojazz. Even if the leader is American - as is the drummer - the result has a definite European feel.   

American trombonist Jiggs Whigham had a long and fruitful career as a jazzman, arranger, band leader and educator in Europe since the mid-sixties. During the seventies he played regularly in Belgium, often appearing as guest soloist with the BRT radio orchestra and playing the local clubs (Pol's in Brussels) and festivals (Middelheim in Antwerp).

HOPE is one of my favortie Wigham's albums.   I do not think it has ever been re-issued on CD.

Just look at the caliber of the guys in the band ... need I say more?  La Creme de la creme!

Credits

Trombone, Percussion, Producer, Arranger – Jiggs Whigham

Saxophone, Flute – Ferdinand Povel

Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Rob Franken

Bass – Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen

Drums – Grady Tate

Tracklist

A1                   Bodge  3:36

A2                   The Healer       6:00

A3                   Hope    4:57

A4                   Absolutely Knot           5:50

B1                   Owa Tagu Siam (Oh What A Goose I Am)       4:46

B2                   Sunflower Chant          6:48

B3                   Chant   4:48

B4                   Going Home    2:35

Original LP rip.  WAV.

LINK UPDATED 18/07/17

RARE, GROOVY AND SO TYPICALLY EUROPEAN!

COLOURS IN JAZZ

FRANCIS COPPIETERS SELECTION

featuring: Rolf Roemer – tenor sax, flute / Klaus Osterloh – flugelhorn / Francis Coppieters: piano & percussion /  Jean Warland: bass / Klaus Weiss: drums / Koenraad Ellegiers: violin / Gustav Kedves: French Horn

LP Intersound                                  GERMANY, 1986

If you’re into the MPS / Eurojazz sound, the names of Francis Coppieters and Jean Warland should not be totally unknown to you.  Both are Belgians who made a career working in the German studios and big radio bands.  You’ve probably seen their names credited on several MPS / SABA albums.

Jean Warland is probably the better known of the two due to his participation in the Clarke-Boland Big Band and Peter Herbolzheimer Brass & Rhythm Combination, among many other sessions.

Francis Coppieters‘ career goes back to the mid-forties in Belgium.  In 1949 he became a member of the Hazy Osterwald Orchestra, then of the Kurt Edelhagen Big Band and finally became a studio musician for MPS.

Although they both recorded prolifically as sidemen, they did not record much as leaders which may explain why they remain largely unknown outside a small circle of collectors and aficionados. 

Francis Coppieters is highly regarded among Libray music collectors for his album “Piano Viberations” (1975) issued on the KPM Music Library label.  It features Claudio Szenkar (b),  Jean Warland (bass) and Charly Antolini (drs) - according to Pernet's discography. The names of Fats Sadi (vibes), Roger Vanhaverbeke (bass) and Freddy Rottier (drs) were mentioned also but it does not appear they took part in this session. 

According to the discographies there is another library album by Coppieters – KTS-5 (Koln, 1980)  with an astounding lineup: the van Rooyen brothers, Jon Eardley, Otto Bredl, Peter Herbolzheimer, Wilton Gaynar, Karlheinz Wiberny ... just to name a few – but I’ve never heard or even seen it.

Colours in Jazz recorded in 1986 is a jazz / library jazz /soul jazz album.

If you like the music of Charlie Antolini and Roland Kovac, you’ll like this album.  Groovy  with a typical European feel!  Don’t miss it. I don’t think it has ever been posted elsewhere in the blogworld.

Tracklist

A1                   Mobile            3:03

A2                   Blue Magic     5:22

A3                   Shuffle Bubble           4:52

A4                   Blue Greens    4:14

A5                   Aquarelle        4:40

B1                   Voyage           3:22

B2                   Aroma 3:36

B3                   Sir Francis Drums      3:28

B4                   Easy Going     4:25

B5                   Ritmo Pizzicato         4:45

Credits

Flugelhorn – Klaus Osterloh

Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Rolf Röhmer

Piano, Percussion, Composed By, Arranged By – Francis Coppieters

Bass – Jean Warland

Drums – Klaus Weiss

French Horn – Gustav Kedves

Violin – Koenraad Ellegiers

Francis Coppieters

Notes

Recorded March 1986 at Cornet Sudio, Cologne

(n.b.: scans of  sleeve sourced from Discogs).    

LINK UPDATED 18/07/17

PS: I have re-posted Fats Sadi Combo (Rarity #11)

EUROJAZZ (2)

The European Community Jazz Orchestra

Musical Director: Rick Taylor

LP JAZZ CATS 6985 015               BELGIUM, 1986

This is the second “Eurojazz” LP.  This one was recorded in 1985, the composition of the orchestra is slightly different from the one on the fist LP, still a huge big band (26 players) and a typically European sound (I think).

Tracks :

Side 1 - 1: The wrong button

Composed and arranged by Bert Joris (Belgium)

Soloists: Peter Vandendriessche / Matthias Schubert / David Jones

Side 1 - 2: A girl from Trigwell's Planet

Composed and arranged by Django Bates (UK). 

Soloists: Julian Arguelles / Andrea Pazza / Tommy Smith / Riccardo Bianchi / Soren Christensen / Frank Michiels.

Feat. Django Bates: prepared piano in opening and closing sections and piano in drum / percussion solos.

Side 2 - 1: Song for Micheline

Composed and arranged by Michel Herr (Belgium)

Soloists: Fabio Morgera / Julian Arguelles

Side 2 – 2: Up country

Composed and arranged by Rick Taylor (UK)

Soloists: Mark Godfroid / Johan Vandendriessche

Musicians :

Peter Vandendriessche - alto sax, sop sax, fl

Julian Arguelles - alto sax, sop sax, fl

Matthias Schubert - tenor sax

Tommy Smith - tenor sax, fl

Johan Vandendriessche - baritone sax, fl

Simon Gardner - trumpet

Rüdiger Baldauf - trumpet, flugelhorn

Ingolf Burkhardt - trumpet, flugelhorn

Karl Farrent - trumpet, flugelhorn

Fabio Morgera - trumpet, flugelhorn

Marc Godfroid - trombone

Neil Sidwell - trombone

Jilt Kansma - trombone

Dick Bolt- bass trombone

Ingo Luis - bass trombone

Murray Hardie - tuba

Helena Spencer - French horn

Stanley Van Wel - French horn

Richard Few - French horn

Beatrice Driver- French horn

Gary Hamilton - French horn

Andrea Pazza - piano

Riccardo Bianchi - guitar

David Jones - bass guitar

Soren Christensen - drums

Frank Michiels - percussion     

Recorded at Swan Studio, Buizingen (B), August 15, 1985. Released in 1986 in Belgium. LP (Jazz Cats/René Gailly 6985 015)

NEW LINK (28/08/17)

EUROJAZZ

THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA  - EUROJAZZ

Musical Director Bobby Lamb
Associate Musical Director Rick Taylor

LP Jazz Cats 6985 014 - Belgium, 1986

In these times of fashionable euro-skepticism, I remain a firm believer in the ideal of European unity.  Not in its current institutions, unfortunately.  I agree these institutions badly need reforms to be made more accountable and transparent but one should refrain from throwing the baby with the bathwater. 

I remember a time not so long ago when I had to keep at least five different currencies in my wallet if I wanted to venture 100 km out of Brussels, considering that driving about 100 km from Brussels brings you in Holland, in France or on the ferry to Dover.  I had to keep Belgian francs (which were also valid currency in Luxembourg), French Francs, Dutch Guilders, Deutsche Marks and British Pounds.  God bless the Euro and I hope we’ll never revert to that state!

That’s probably the most political statement I’ll ever make on this blog.  Let’s go back to music with this little know European project dating from 1986.  This is the first of two albums by this huge big band (between 26 and 30 musicians) composed of (then) young musicians from different European countries.  You will probably recognize some of the names as several of these players are now well established on their national musical / jazz scene or even internationally (Julian Arguelles …).

It must be pointd out that the idea of an European Youth Jazz Orchestra was first floated by UK in 1981 and it is UK that provided the initial funding.  

The repertoire is made exclusively of pieces by European composers, often written and arranged specifically for the orchestra.

Side 1 features a Suite in four parts, composed /arranged and directed by Rick Taylor. 

On side 2 are two shorter pieces, directed by Bobby Lamb:

-        I ask you : composed and arranged by Kenny Wheeler

-        No message: composed and arranged by Francis Boland

The ensemble playing is impressive (a big band of over 25 musicians can generate a lot of energy) and there are some great soli.

The two LPs were reissued on a single CD which is now OOP.

This original  LP seems  completely unknown to Google and Discogs, I can't even get a picture of the sleeve from the web.

NEW LINK (26/08/17)