Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Bernd Konrad-Hans Koller Unit with Didier Lockwood: Phonolith
Bernd Konrad-Hans Koller Unit with Didier Lockwood: Phonolith
The title piece commences and finalizes this outing in two slightly different flavors, yet on “Phonolith 1”, violinist Didier Lockwood lends his expertise to a composition that launches with a blazing foray of harmonic splendor amid a revved up march-like motif of rapid unison choruses and linear interludes. Here, Lockwood is on fire and should at the very least, shed any doubt as to his esteemed stature in jazz. However, Bernd Konrad, performing on soprano sax, picks up where Lockwood left off, atop Thomas Stabenow’s prominent walking bass lines and Martin Bues swiftly executed, highly charged rhythms as the saxophonist literally drives his ax into submission. Whereas on “Phonolith 2”, there is a change of personnel as the Unit transforms into a brass heavy nonet, also featuring Kenny Wheeler, trumpeter Herbert Joos, tenor saxophonist Ekkehart Rossle and others. Additional highlights on this power packed effort are, Bernd Konrad’s multifarious solo baritone saxophone performance on “Traumtanzer”, the exuberant free-bop burner, “Jeannerette” and Hans Koller’s harmonious solo tenor sax rendition of Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life”.
Phonolith is enhanced by a clever track placement. Hence, a good mix and stunning ensemble work might have you begging for more as these fifty-three minutes of modern jazz transpire at a whirlwind pace! Basically, it doesn’t get much bolder than this! Highly recommended......
* * * * ½ (Out of * * * * *)
Personnel
Album information
Title: Phonolith | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: SENTI Records
< Previous
Lemme Tell Ya 'Bout Desmond
Comments
Tags
For the Love of Jazz
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
Giveaway
Days remaining: 14
