New releases
By The Way – “Time For Blue”
Founded in 2019, the trio’s roots go back to the University of Music and Dance in Cologne where pianist and educator Frank Wunsch came together with two ex-students, vocalist Emese Mühl and guitarist and composer Christina Zurhausen.
New York Duo – “Higher Perception”
The music tells stories inspired by personal experiences and contemporary events. The fusion of guitar and piano elegantly reflects the intimacy of the works: both instruments are so closely connected that sometimes they can’t be distinguished from one another.
Baschnagel Group – “Timeline Promenade”
“An exciting journey through contemporary jazz realms.”
(Jazzthetik Nov./Dec. 2021)
“It was impressive to see how easily and without much planning the Baschnagel Group recorded the new music in the studio.”
(Roman Hošek, Jodok Hess SRF2 KULTUR)
Altfrid M. Sicking – “I AM”
With I AM, Altfrid M. Sicking has fulfilled a long-cherished wish during the pandemic forced break: After decades as a sideman, permanent soloist in the Götz Alsmann Band and as a university lecturer in Münster and at the Folkwang in Essen, the vibraphonist and marimba specialist has rounded up a few favorite colleagues to record an album under his own name exclusively with original compositions.
Jonas Windscheid’s Paintbox – “Alto”
Paintbox celebrate the release of their second album “Alto”. Jonas Windscheid is the composer and guitarist of the Jazz-Quintet. His atmo- spheric music enchants with dense textures and surprising twists.
Erik Leuthäuser – “In the Land of Kent Carlson – Live at A-Trane Berlin”
Erik Leuthäuser, with the songs of the brilliant writer, Kent Carlson, and in his collaboration with the outstanding pianist, Wolfgang Köhler, has turned the page to a new, simultaneously relaxed and energizing chapter.
Zurich Jazz Orchestra & Steffen Schorn – “Dedications”
The European jazz scene boasts a number of world class professional Big Bands, all with their own rich history and tradition. The Zurich Jazz Orchestra, founded in 1995, undoubtedly belongs to this exclusive club.
Bending Times – “Songs of Faith / Glaubenslieder”
There can hardly be a more fitting time for the album “SONGS OF FAITH – Glaubenslieder”, Bending Times’ presentation of arrangements and compositions based on chorales which, for centuries, have given solace and encouragement to countless people throughout every imaginable crisis. Lines like “He will find paths your feet can follow” or “who freely helps us in this time of need that has befallen us” have a special echo in these insecure times.
Mareille Merck LARUS – “Fadenschlag”
With there way of playing together and being focused on dynamics the three musicians create atmosphere and space. Sometimes you feel hugged by warm sounds, nearly weightless, and then you find yourself in the middle of a hurricane where you don’t know what is up or down and the feeling of speed roars in your ears.
Rüdiger Baldauf – ”Strawberry Fields“
#1 Apple Music “Jazz Szene: Deutschland“ –
The Beatles in a different way.
A consistently creative homage.
“Rüdiger Baldauf’s arrangements are great and the soloists well chosen”. (Jazz ’n’ More, Jan./Feb. 2021)
Katarzyna Myćka & Conrado Moya – “Marimba Synergy” – Bach: Goldberg Variations
The versatility, the delicacy, the subtlety and the ethereal quality of the sound of the marimbas raises us up onto that spiritual plane that is such a feature of Bach‘s music. Small miracles do occur.
Soulcrane feat. Matthew Halpin – “Another Step We Take”
“Another Step We Take is a must for those who want to feel and enjoy the essence of sounds.“ (Jazz ’n’ more)
– “This album is highly recommended.” (Jazz in Europe)
– With alternating dialogues, finely crafted melodies and accentuated statements, the playing of the three musicians from Cologne is reminiscent of an intimate yet enthusiastic conversation between good friends.
Erik Leuthäuser – In the Land of Irene Kral and Alan Broadbent (Live at A-Trane Berlin)
In the mid-1970s, the American singer Irene Kral recorded the albums “Where Is Love” and “Gentle Rain” with the pianist Alan Broadbent. These two records, almost unsurpassable in their intimacy and authenticity, were then nearly forgotten for close to half a century. Together with pianist Wolfgang Köhler, the Berlin-based singer Erik Leuthäuser is now taking these wonderful gems up again. Over forty years later, and with a dazzling transparency, they allow the pieces to sound almost provocative in their very personal nature.
Peter Fessler – Solo Time
Peter Fessler, of Canadian-German descent, is probably the only jazz musician from Germany who has ever had a global hit. As the singer of Latin jazz band Trio Rio (1983–1987), he created a true evergreen with the hit “New York – Rio – Tokyo”.
Sónia Pinto – Why Try To Change Me Now
The singer Sónia Pinto was born in Porto, northern Portugal, as the opening line of her biography states. But the first thought that this bit of information brings to mind is “Portugal? = Fado!”… Far from it!