MARION BROWN レコード& CD

Review: In Sommerhausen is a historical live recording from the Bavarian State Conservatory of Music in Wuerzburg, Germany, made on May 17 back in 1969. It has the talented Gunter Hampel on vibraphone, bass clarinet and percussion and is a session that also highlights the work of alto saxophonist Marion Brown, an unsung hero of the jazz avant-garde. Brown's lyrical, improvisational style is evident all across these tunes, and he is backed expertly by Hampel's rich instrumentation. Both of the deeply expressive musicians speak from the soul here while tracks like 'Malipieros Midnight Theatre' are laden with found sounds and percussion that may remind of the great Don Cherry.

Review: Saxophonist Marion Brown closed his chapter with Impulse! Records in the 1970s with this serene and vivid offering, featuring an impressive lineup of jazz talent. Drummer Ed Blackwell and bassist Reggie Workman provide a tight, responsive rhythm section, while Stanley Cowell's work on both acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes adds rich texture to the arrangements. Brown's own composition, 'Vista,' is a stand-out, bringing a blissful vibe, while the album also highlights other great selections, including a warm rendition of Cowell's 'Maimoun' and an introspective, meditative take on Stevie Wonder's 'Visions.' The tracks flow effortlessly, from the evocative 'Maimoun' and 'Visions' to the expansive, peaceful 'Vista,' before moving into the more complex 'Moment of Truth.' With 'Bismillahi 'Rrahmani 'Rrahim' and the intricate 'Djinji' rounding out the album, Brown's final statement for Impulse! remains as emotive as it was upon its release.