Jazz On Vinyl

Vol. 1 | Vol. 2 | Vol. 3 | Vol. 4 | Vol. 5 | Vol. 6 | Vol. 7

Publisher: Edition Phoenix, Analogue Audio Association (AAA)

Playing time: 32 min (1) | 36 min (2) | 30 min (3) | 28 min (4) | 31 min (5) | 32 min (6 ) | 35 min (7)

Specifications: half track ¼", stereo, studio-tape, CCIR, 510 nWb/m, 38 cm/s

Reel(s):               1 standard metal reel, with stickers (each album)

Packaging:        1 standard cardboard box, with stickers (each album)

Inserts:                1 booklet with 8 pages (each album)

Homepage: https://www.aaanalog.de/shop

Translation of the German review: 

Introducing

Since 2022, the Analogue Audio Association has been releasing master tape copies in cooperation with the JAZZ ON VINYL label, a recording studio based in Erding near Munich (see also the announcement in "analog" 1/22, pages 90-92). Owner Dominique Klatte primarily records artists from his regional environment. His special feature is that he travels with his microphones, mixing consoles and tape recorders to wherever the music is played. This can be a living room, but also a library, a club or other places that are suitable for a recording. All recordings are made without digital equipment, neither in the recording nor in the further processing.

Viewed across all episodes, the compilations of musicians and bands - and thus the music - could hardly be more different or exciting: This recording series offers a showcase of work that thinks outside the box. All musicians can do exactly "their thing", which has the advantage that a very good mix of ideas as well as surprises are at the start. The tape and vinyl lover is served musical and sonic delicacies. I have written a short comment to each title to give a little taste. In the store area of the AAA homepage you can listen to a one-minute soundfile for each title.

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 7: M. Ausserbauer, C. L. Mayer - The Call

Michael Ausserbauer on saxophone and his son Ralph on drums can also be heard on Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 2 - Duets. Both also perform in the group "Tenor Steps" on the first volume of the series. The song "The Call" opens the album with the swing of bebop jazz. But not as a 1960s knock-off. The music, composed by Christian Ludwig Mayer and Michael Ausserbauer, is more refined and thoughtful than much comparable music. On "Must Believe," I'm carried into the song by the saxophone. Then the piano takes over. The finale is done jointly by the two soloists. "My Lost Garden" seamlessly continues the very high entertainment value. The composers draw from an endless source of musical ideas and act with a high energy, as heard in "Pieces Of Steel". From the first bar, foot tapping is the order of the day on the upbeat track "This Is My Love", the song concludes with an interesting drum solo. "Behind The Wall" is more subdued. The bass player gets his space and delivers a skillful solo. "Let's All Go Home" finalizes the album with its driving rhythm. This album is great listening cinema, which leaves no wish unfulfilled and is rightly nominated for the German Record Critics Award.

First release: November 2022

Music: 1 (of 5; 1 is the best)

Sound: 1 (of 5; 1 is the best)

Musicians: Michael Ausserbauer: tenor and soprano saxophone | Christian Ludwig Mayer: piano | Christoph Vilsmeier: double bass | Ralph Ausserbauer: drums

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 6: Leo Betzl Trio - Swing

The first boon is that the musicians composed all the songs themselves, Leo Betzl in the lead, so I'm glad not to have to listen to any cover versions. "The Earl" swings right away - and yes: these musicians know their business! They harmonize very well as a trio. With the piece "O Pintor" the three let the post go off, which increases with "Farewell and Goodbye". I like this fast played swing jazz. "For Carsten" is first and foremost an outstanding teaching piece for piano work. Although "By My Side" is beautifully played, it falls a bit short. In the overall context, it's too subdued for me; it doesn't have the energy of the previous pieces. "Jules Blues" then catches back up and joins the first four tracks circumferentially. The finale is the piano version of the opening track "The Earl" in short form. Very well done album, hats off!

First release: December 2021

Music: 1

Sound: 1

Leo Betzl Trio: Leo Betzl: piano | Maximilian Hirning: bass | Sebastian Wolfgruber: drums

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 5: Carolyn Breuer & Andrea Hermenau

On Vol. 5, listeners can expect the duo of Carolyn Breuer (saxophones) and Andrea Hermenau (piano and vocals), with double bassist Henning Sieverts on some tracks and Christian Lettner on drums. This work does not make listening easy for me: "Fading Part One" and "Fading Part Two" may not be compatible with my musical taste. I lack commitment and substance and thus a docking point. This gets better with "Spring Awakening", as it is beautifully executed as a duet solo: piano and sax harmonize very well. "Beside You," what do I say to that? It is well thought out and also well played, but simply also very restrainedly interpreted or oriented to a jazz that was once hip many years ago and for me today comes across rather unimaginative. The now following "White Marble" catches me then again better. The sonority is impressive. With the title "Hector The Collector" the quartet plays again, it connects well to the previous piece. The adept and flawless playing technique during the live recording should be emphasized. The vocals of Andrea Hermenau find their way into some tracks. Something in me bristles at the song "Unbekannte". Honestly, I would like the whole album better without the vocal art. "Mimo Is Back" and "Polarstern" don't bring any more new insights. I've hardly ever experienced a bigger up and down ride in how tracks hit or don't hit my taste. Acoustic distortions on the first song are due to the recording situation.

First release: July 2021

Music: 2-3

Sound: 1-2

Musicians: Carolyn Breuer: alto saxophone, soprano saxophone | Andrea Hermenau: piano, vocals | Henning Sieverts: double bass | Christian Lettner: drums

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 4: Offbeat

This compilation of bands and music is balm for my ears. The group Fainschmitz sets the mood for the album with the swinging number "Walking On The Burk Side". High class and virtuosic, Reimo Oberth takes me on his guitar journey with the traditional piece "Le Vieux Tzigane". The Trio Allègresse continues with "Swing Gitan", a traditional and upbeat title, in very intense playing. If you want to dance: here you go! The Duo BÖF makes the "African Sun" shine in a very beautiful way. Fainschmitz follow again, this time with "Cheesy Blues". A quiet piece that lives out of itself; the title says it all. My appreciation goes to the solo performance of the wind players! Look forward to "Mr Sandmann" in the Trio Allègresse. Familiar, entertaining, good and with considerable finger picking on solo guitar. "Una Canzone Gentile" is played super beautifully by BÖF, but doesn't take me on the musical journey as much as the previous pieces. It's too choppy for me. Allègresse closes this tape with "Douce Ambiance" in again in an upbeat manner.

First release: November 2020

Music: 1

Sound: 1

Musicians: Reimo Oberth: solo guitar

Fainschmitz: Matthias Vieider: clarinet, saxophone | Alexander Kranabetter: trumpet, flugelhorn | Jannis Klenke: guitar | Martin Burk: double bass

Allègresse: Michael Gerle: solo guitar | Markus Drescher: rhythm guitar | Joschi Hofmann: double bass

BÖF - Bavarian Austrian Fine Sound: Michaela Bauer: accordion | Markus Renhart: clarinet

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 3: Modern Energy Jazz

With Vol. 3 you have to be in the mood for an experiment. This music is difficult to classify into one style. Under "Jazz" you can classify what you hear, but that is not enough. Different bands play alternately. In the first piece "Meisser" the Leo Betzl Trio plays in an unusual way. A drum-bass foundation trimmed to monotony meets piano interludes with a solo at the end of the track. Fainschmitz continue with "Jungle Swing" in no less exotic-looking fashion. What goes with saxophone, megaphone, trumpet, guitar and double bass? After an intro that is hard to categorize, the piece surprisingly transitions into an upbeat number with borrowings from 1920s style. Cheraleen and the Gold Pieces also start in experimental mode. This piece brushes my hearing and the brain behind it against the grain, but then becomes a bit more bearable as it progresses. Oh my gosh, "Yellow Teddybear," can you look that weird? This title makes me laugh because the ideas are so beautifully weird. It puts me in just the right mood: "Wertpaketsack" by the trio St Øhl is an instructional piece about chanting, parcel logistics and an accentuating double bass with a very successful solo interlude. Plus a quick run-through of the first part: Bag-sack lore par excellence! After that Cheraleen & Die Goldstücke join in once again with "Over The Rainbow". The very daring vocals I try to understand as an art form. Hats off that this small orchestra dares to make such music. The conclusion of this unusual compilation is made by the group of the opening track entitled "Just.Viral", which closes the circle of this album. My conclusion: Before buying, definitely listen to it. A balancing act between liking or hating?

First release: December 2019

Music: 2

Sound: 2

Leo Betzl Trio: Leo Betzl: piano | Maximilian Hirning: double bass | Sebastian Wolfgruber: percussion

Fainschmitz: Matthias Vieider: saxophone,megaphone | Alexander Kranabetter: trumpet | Jannis Klenke: guitar | Martin Burk: double bass

Cheraleen & Die Goldstücke: Cheraleen: vocals, flute, samples | Roald Raschner: piano, talkbox, Moog | Roland HH Biswurm: drums, percussion | Georg Karger: double bass (H. Grünert 1982)

St Øhl: Florian Haas: vocals, flute | Stephan Lanius: vocals, double bass | Günter Hillenmeyer: vocals, drums

Jazz On Vinyl Vol. 2: Duets

In the second edition of the series, saxophonist Michael Ausserbauer is the central figure of each duet. The interpretation of the title "Summertime" with accordion, played by Konrad Kaindl, together with the saxophone makes a very nice opening. With a lot of pepper, the guitar of Oliver Nözel appears in flamenco style in "La cuerda y el viento". In "Hit it, Hit it" father Michael and son Ralph Ausserbauer on drums get entangled in a jazz improvisation. The music comes out of my speakers with just the right dynamic-tonal kick, which gives me a lot of pleasure. The now following track "Glasshouse Groove" with the Fender Rhodes piano of Timo Aichele does not meet my taste so much, because it drags on a bit. The track "Never Been There Before" works with a tabla, wonderfully played by Monir Aziz, which turns out to be an exceedingly good idea: I don't recall ever hearing such a musical construction. "Round Midnight" brings in the next special touch with Nico Torretta. This hard-to-sing track stands out for its authenticity: to my ears, the vocals are sometimes hard on the edge of acceptable tonal interpretation. The solo double bass comes into its own on "That's Too Big A Thing" by Georg Karger in bowed and plucked playing style. This dialogue between two instruments is entertainingly presented and captivates me as a listener also because the piece extends into the experimental. The challenges to be overcome in "Lonnie's Lament", to harmonize the saxophone and the organ, served by Georg Rothenaicher, because of their different volumes, are great, which is why my enthusiasm for this track is limited.

First release: February 2019

Music: 1-2

Sound: 1-2

Musicians: Michael Ausserbauer (1): saxophone | Oliver Nözel (2): guitar | Timo Aichele (3): Fender Rhodes piano | Konrad Kaindl (4): accordion | Georg Rothenaicher (5): organ | Georg Karger (6): bass | Ralph Ausserbauer (7): drums | Monir Aziz (8): tabla | Nico Torretta (9): vocals

Jazz On Vinyl (Vol. 1)

The first episode of "Jazz On Vinyl" features a duo and two bands as well as their musicians in different constellations. After pressing the start button, things get off to a good start right away: the piece "Intro", written for saxophone and vibraphone, is very differentiated in the recording, which is reflected in the 1:1 playback. "Double Jeu" brings piano and guitar into play. I can't warm up to this too much, because the repetitive melodic sequence is hardly abandoned. On the Chapel of Grace's "Fukushima Blues," the Bavarian vocals give off an unusual atmosphere. Compared to the first two pieces, the recording of the instruments was rather restrained. The group Tenor Steps shows a performance focused on the two saxophones in the title "All so simple". The precise and slow pace invites the listener to closely follow every nuance. I find the well-known piece "Greensleeves" to be very well interpreted. It has a bit more pressure than "All so simple" by the same group, lives from a good rhythm and is a bit tricky in a positive sense. Dieter Knirsch plays himself into my heart with his title "Luftschlösser" on solo piano. It is his variability, virtuosity and the melodic arcs that, together with the very successful recording, leave a positive impression. The second song of the Gnadenkapelle, "Mei guade Weihnachtshosn", plays with Bavarian cultural heritage and is even more habit-forming than the first piece of the formation. In the very good final piece, Reimo Oberth delivers a virtuoso performance on the guitar with the piece "Stéphanesque".

First release: November 2017

Music: 2

Sound: 1-3 (3 for the songs of the "Gnadenkapelle")

Musicians: Reimo Oberth: guitar | Johannes Rothenaicher: piano

Tenor Steps: Michael Ausserbauer: saxophone | Sara Gallitz: saxophone | Alexander Samimi: piano | Dieter Knirsch: piano | Stephan Clarmann: vibraphone | Stephan Glaubitz: bass | Ralph Ausserbauer: percussion 

Gnadenkapelle: Kathrin Nagy: vocals | Val Dasch: guitar | Josef Hanslmaier: trumpet | Bertram Liebmann: piano | Bo Baumann: bass | Max Eder: drums

My ranking: Vol. 6 > Vol. 7 > Vol. 4 > Vol. 2 > Vol. 1 > Vol. 3 > Vol. 5

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)