Walt Weiskopf - European Quartet: Diamonds and Other Jewels '2022

Tracks list

       Two distinct types of jazz album have emerged in the difficult Covid
pandemic times: the do-it-yourself statements, usually recorded in a home
studio, often with internet sound swapping; and the pent-up energy,
post-pandemic energy bursts, musicians getting together again after a year or
more of minimal in-person collaboration. Diamonds And Other Jewels, from the
Walt Weiskopf European Quartet, is of the latter type. Saxophonist Weiskopf,
pianist Carl Winther, bassist Andreas Lang and drummer Anders Mogensen jump out
of the speakers from the start with "Spatacus," one of the seven dynamic
originals offered up here.

The quartet began its life under Weskopf's leadership in 2017. Diamonds And
Other Jewels is its sixth release, and—after mostly lying dormant as a
group during the pandemic—they reconvene with a special expressive gusto,
and a palpable sense of joy and adventure.

"Black Diamond," less ferocious than 'Spartacus," rolls with a smooth flow.
Weiskopf's solo is freewheeling and muscular, bringing sax man Joe Henderson to
mind with an on-edge adventurousness. "Thad Nation" nods to trumpeter &
bandleader Thad Jones, with a colorful and upbeat mood, and "Blond Diamond"
broods beautifully.

"My Old Flame," the disc's only non-original, was recorded in 1944 by Billie
Holiday. It adds a welcome bit of soothing familiarity to the set.

Overall the sound seems to owe a debt to saxophonist John Coltrane's quartet
with pianist McCoy Tyner, drummer Elvin Jones and bassist Jimmy Garrison, before
things went into interstellar space—a fine era for Coltrane, and a fine
one for the Walt Weiskopf European Quartet, too.

Personnel
Walt Weiskopf: saxophone; Carl Winther: piano; Andreas Lang: bass, acoustic;
Anders Mogensen: drums.

Tracklist:
1.01 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Spartacus
(5:30)
1.02 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Black
Diamond (7:50)
1.03 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Other Jewels
(5:47)
1.04 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Incantation
(5:04)
1.05 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Thad Nation
(6:11)
1.06 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - My Old Flame
(6:19)
1.07 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Blood
Diamond (6:53)
1.08 - Walt Weiskopf, Carl Winther, Anders Mogensen, Andreas Lang - Everybody
(3:38)

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