ProJazz.net

The new pieces have little in common with the bebop and cool jazz influences of the old Naura quintet. So wrote journalist Siegfried Schmidt-Joos in his original liner notes to pianist and bandleader Michael Nauras 1970 album Call, an album of contemporary sounds of free jazz and rock marked by the collective playing styles of the younger generation of musicians. His first album in eight years definitely showed Naura in a new light. Two members of his old quintet, vibraphonist Wolfgang Schlüter and drummer Joe Nay were still in on it, and both had effortlessly mastered as had Naura the new rock and blues-oriented styles. With the addition of bassist Eberhard Weber, a jazz-rock trendsetter who had a substantial impact on the new quartets sound, the band was set. All the pieces on this Fender Rhodes drenched, fusion MPS recording were written by Mr. Naura (Editorial Reviews).

Back in 1971 the sound of the Fender Rhodes with slightly distorted vibes wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but in the intervening years Wolfgang Schlüter’s vibes and Naura’s keyboard have acquired a period charm that makes this a bit of a gem, especially for its almost-a-hit track, ’Why Is Mary So Nervous?’ (Jazzwise).

Track listing:

A1 Soledad De Murcia 5:57
A2 M.O.C. 3:37
A3 Forgotten Garden 5:53
A4 Take Us Down To The River 3:58
B1 Why Is Mary So Nervous? 5:28
B2 Don’t Stop 4:56
B3 Miriam 3:48
B4 Call 5:03

Personnel:

Bass – Eberhard Weber
Drums – Joe Nay
Electric Piano, Producer, Written-By – Michael Naura
Vibraphone – Wolfgang Schlüter

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Label: MPS Records – 21 20877-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress
Country: Germany
Released: 1970
Genre: Jazz
Style: Contemporary Jazz, Fusion