MPS Germany レコード& CD

Review: George Duke's imperious legacy as a trailblazer in jazz started its upwards trajectory back when he was in his 20s. As a cursory check of his discography will tell you, his first major solo breaks came around 1970 with his albums for MPS, and they happened due to MPS boss Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer stumbling upon a precociously talented pianist performing with his quartet in 1966. A recording session was set up on the spot, and Duke was propelled to worldwide recognition. This collection combs through the six-album run with MPS and offers up some of the best of the gifted jazz player's work from this breakthrough period in his early career.

Review: If you're in the mood for some sublimely summery jazz-funk and fusion business, we'd heartily recommend this reissue of Alphonse Mouzon's acclaimed 1981 album By All Means. Mouzon, a drummer and percussionist by trade who was also a founding member of weather report, naturally uses it as a showcase for his skills - see the intergalactic synths and sweatily breathless drums of 'Space Invaders' - but for the most part the album shuffles along at a more laidback tempo, with a string of high-profile guest players (Herbie Hancock and Freddie Hubbard both feature) exchanging solos over some seriously sumptuous grooves.