Known best for co-leading the legendary Kenny Clarke-Francy Boland big band, Belgian pianist Boland also gained recognition as a major composer-arranger. His work with MPS represented an important slice of his recording career – the
Composer: Francy Boland, Karl Drevo, Jack Sels, Sahib Shihab, Jimmy Woode, Scott Bradford
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Free Jazz
The Romanian Eugen Cicero was a Wunderkind, performing his first piano concert with a symphony orchestra at the age of six. His first SABA/MPS album, Rokoko Jazz sold over a million copies. Cicero was acknowledged as an “all-around
Composer: Cole Porter, Jaques Charles Enoch, Noel Sherman, Joe Sherman, Jon Carl Hendricks, Randy Weston, Jerry Herman, Josef Kosma, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Crossover Jazz
Another feel-good album from one of the MPS favorites; this constitutes the 11th HRA release of the 16 albums accordionist Art Van Damme recorded for MPS – Art has a wide audience, and it’s because the man is a joy to listen to.
Composer: Henri Mancini, C. Henderson, Willie Fruth, R. Asberg, H.E. Häusser, W. Dubin, George Shearing, Jo Gretsch, Chr. Schmitz-Steinberg, Claus Ogerman, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Contemporary Jazz
The Sweetest Sound (Remastered)
Swiss singer-pianist Elsie Bianchi may not be a household name, but from the early 1950s through the 60’s she was one of the best jazz singers in Europe. Her sensuous voice and hip phrasing has shades of Anita O’Day. Elsie first gained fame
Composer: Elsie Bianchi
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Cool
The Muses for Richard Davis (Remastered)
Richard Davis has been a major force on the bass from the 1960’s on. At home with classical, jazz, and pop, he has worked with Ahmed Jamal, Sarah Vaughn, Van Morrison (“the greatest bass ever heard on a rock album” – Rolling Stone), Bruce Springstein, and was on the legendary Eric Dolphy Live
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Contemporary Jazz
This 1980 studio recording features three players with sublime mutual understanding. Bassist Leon Francioli is known for his work with the noted pianist-composer George Gruntz and American multi-instrumentalist Joe McPhee.
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Avantgarde Jazz
Bach: Das Wohltemperierte Klavier
In Friedrich Gulda’s recording of The Well-Tempered Clavier two significant events in the history of Western music meet. One of these is this exceptional recording. It originates in the years of 1972/73, the high- and endpoint of the collaboration
Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)
Genre: Classical
Subgenre: Instrumental
Two German stars in Duo – pianist Christoph Spendel, 26 at the time of this 1981 recording, vibraphonist Wolfgang Schlüter some 20 years older. The two sound more like musical twins than dualistic opposites. A member of the
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Mainstream Jazz
Jazz, Rock & Sweet (Remastered)
Jazz, Rock & Sweet evokes images of the iconic jazz fusion band Blood, Sweat & Tears. Like BS&T, the band is packed with brass and reeds, and with 23 members it has an even harder kick. Baumgart’s compositions also have a BS&T
Genre: Jazz
Subgenre: Big Band
