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Art of Life Records

Someone brought the site to Beck's attention, the result being that Beck and Kohler struck up a correspondence which ultimately led to the licensing and reissue of the fantastic historical document. What a thrill it is to hear Beck, Jeff Clyne, John McLaughlin and Tony Oxley rip through tunes like "Norwegian Wood , "Monday, Monday and "Good Vibrations , making them sound fresh and affording a rare chance to hear Oxley in time-drumming mode!

Kohler speaks in vague terms of possible Breau releases in the future, but his attention is clearly on more immediate projects. The label has gone from strength to strength, notable among recent releases being Eddie Gomez and Mark Kramer's Art of the Heart. Comparisons with Bill Evans' '70s work, when Gomez occupied the bass chair, are almost unavoidable, but there's a lot more revolving on the Gomez/Kramer axis than simple homage. While Art of the Heart comprises mainly '30s and '40s popular ballads and romance numbers, the treatment they receive is both introspective and satisfying, from a sonic as well as technical vantagepoint. Much of Gomez' arco work is set a bit back in the mix, lushly reverbed, with Kramer's rich pianism dynamically but realistically presented. "I have an ear for pianists, Kohler says and his love for the instrument is readily apparent on this release, as the balance is true to life.

Many of Art of Life's releases fall into what might be dubbed a post-bop vein and the label's upcoming release schedule does little to suggest any huge changes in musical presentation. The second half of 2006 will see another reissue from guitar virtuoso Joe Diorio, a new recording by Stephen D. Anderson presenting solo guitar interpretations of Bill Evans' music and a new Bob Mintzer Quartet recording. It's in this, though, that the label truly shines; the mixture of old and new, of homage and innovation, keeps Art of Life releases vital. Whether it be the revelations afforded by some early Gordon Beck playing in Tubby Hayes' 1965 group, the elegiac freedom throughout Gary Husband's astonishing solo piano interpretations of Allan Holdsworth's music or the "third-stream leanings of the Ron Thomas trio, the label simply refuses easy categorization. "I do want to release some classical music at some pointfairly modern classical music. Ron Thomas has a whole bunch of things... and here the enthusiasm in Kohler's voice demonstrates his sincerity. Each release has shown integrity and with Kohler at the helm, the label is sure to continue providing great music, both to lovers of jazz and to those who look for the challenges inherent in the music's history and development.
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