VA - Spiritual Jazz Volume 2: Europe - Esoteric, Modal & Deep European Jazz 1960-78 (2012)

A heady mix indeed; stirring jazz overtures with orchestra and choir, festival performances recorded live from the grassy heartlands of central Europe, modal montages inspired by pilgrimages to Asia and Africa, experiments in rhythm and sound where modern jazz meets traditional Balkan and Flamenco folk music. This is Spiritual Jazz – European style, brought to you by the ever impressive Jazzman Records, run by (Jazzman) Gerald Short in London, England.
As the '60s progressed, cultural and political revolutions occurred both in the US and in Europe. Jazz was both a victim and a saviour, with radical developments in the music occurring in both continents. In the US, artists took control of their own musical destiny as small labels broke away from the mainstream, expressing new and creative visions of freedom and peace against a backdrop of civil unrest, repression and war.
In '60s Europe the jazz community forged ahead with a different revolution; that of breaking away from mere emulation of their American counterparts. A distinctive, European jazz sound began to develop that combined traditional music from across Europe and around the world with the creative freedom so abundant in American jazz. Over time the most forward-thinking creative talents of the post-Coltrane European jazz generation crafted and nurtured sophisticated and multi-faceted styles of jazz that were as radical as they were beautiful, giving modern jazz a characteristically European flavour.
This has been wonderfully documented, and fully licensed, by Jazzman Records for this eleven track compilation, Spiritual Jazz 2: Europe. It will be available from Monday 6 February on CD and also 2xLP (180g/gatefold). Each track has been digitally restored from the original master tapes, and the release features comprehensive liner notes with individual notes on each track with original stories direct from the musicians and artists. Most of these tracks have never before been reissued – previously only available on rare LPs that change hands for hundreds of dollars.

Tracklist:

01. Erich Kleinschuster Sextett – Communion
02. Albert Manglesdorf Quintet – Varie
03. Michael Garrick Sextet – Temple Dancer
04. Raphael – Archangelo
05. Barney Wilen – Africa Freakout
06. Nicolai Gromin – Corrida
07. Heikki Sarmanto – Duke and Trane
08. Wroblewski Jazz Quintet – Nana Imboro
09. Dusko Goykovic – Bosna Calling
10. Pedro Iturralde – Las Morillas de Jaen
11. Hans Dulfer & Ritmo-Natural – Candy Clouds