Volker Kriegel - Inside: Missing Link (1972/2016) Hi-Res

Volker Kriegel (24 December 1943 – 15 June 2003) was a German jazz guitarist and composer born in Darmstadt, Germany, perhaps most noteworthy for his contributions to the European jazz rock genre and for his collaborations with the American vibraphonist Dave Pike. In 1975 he was a founding member of the United Jazz and Rock Ensemble.
Volker Kriegel assembled a band of some of the leading musical visionaries on the European jazz scene for this 1972 double album. The first album contains four extended pieces in a hip mix of rock & jazz with pulsating arrangements and distinctive solos. Take a listen to Kriegel’s classy play on Slums on Wheels, with trombone icon Albert Mangelsdorff’s flashy solo followed by English saxophone giant Alan Skidmore’s scintillating soprano. The piece moves into an up-tempo jazz feel and German saxophone master Heinz Sauer’s passionate solo. The “E” Again features English keyboard legend John Taylor’s electrifying play, and Kriegel’s majestic solo. The Afro-jazz-rock of Zanzibar features powerful solos from the entire band. Freely interpreted ethno influences on Missing Link move into an English pop-rock mode with a mellow-toned trombone and intense guitar and sax solos. The horns take a seat on the last six pieces as Kriegel and Taylor shine in the spotlight. Für Hector is a jazzy up-tempo romp, and Remis hints of something south of the border. The exotic warmth of India pervades German bass great Eberhard Weber’s Tarang as he picks up the Indian instrument of the same name and then takes an expressive bass solo. Kriegel catches the melancholy ambiance of Brazillian icon Caetano Veloso’s poignant ballad Janellas Abertas. Plonk Whenever swings fast and furiously into the realm of free jazz, whereas on Kriegel’s Definitely Suspicious, an unaccompanied acoustic guitar bookends propulsive electric guitar and keyboard solos. On Finale Kriegel plays a filigree 14-second melodic strain. Exciting top-flight fusion!

Tracks:

01. Slums On Wheels (13:28)
02. The "E" Again (6:39)
03. Zanzibar (10:27)
04. Missing Link (12:09)
05. Für Hector (5:48)
06. Remis (4:29)
07. Tarang (10:05)
08. Lastic Plemon (5:23)
09. Janelas Abertas (4:11)
10. Plonk Whenever (4:09)
11. Definitely Suspicious (5:57)
12. Finale (0:14)

Personnel:

Volker Kriegel - acoustic & electric guitars, sitar
John Taylor - electric piano
Cees See - flute, percussion, voice & effects
Alan Skidmore - soprano & tenor saxophone
Heinz Sauer - tenor saxophone
Albert Mangelsdorff - trombone
Eberhard Weber - bass
John Marshall - drums
Peter Baumeister - drums