Albert Mangelsdorff - Now Jazz Ramwong (1964) [1980] LP

Albert Mangelsdorff had just completed a long concert tour in Asia prior to this recording session in Frankfurt, where he documented many of the originals that he performed on the road. Accompanied by alto saxophonist Gunther Kronberg, tenor saxophonist Heinz Sauer, bassist Gunter Lenz and drummer Ralf Hubner, the trombonist offers a splendid mix of Eastern and Western music in his arrangements. "Now, Jazz Ramwong" is an enticing modal piece inspired by a Thai folk dance, featuring Kronberg on soprano sax. Mangelsdorff's "Blue Fanfare" and "Blues Du Domicile" are straightforward boppish blues, while "Es Sungen Drei Engel" is his adaptation of a 13th century German folk song. Sauer contributed "Club Trois," while "Three Jazz Moods on a Theme from Pather Panchali" is the leader's adaptation of music by sitarist Ravi Shankar. Although this long unavailable music has reappeared on CD, it may still be somewhat challenging to acquire.

Tracks:

01. Now Jazz Ramwong (Mangelsdorff) - 9:01
02. Sakura Waltz (Trad.-Mangelsdorff) - 3:26
03. Blue Fanfare (Mangelsdorff) - 6:41
04. Three Jazz Moods (Shankar-Mangelsdorff) - 6:11
05. Burungkaka (Trad.-Mangelsdorff) - 3:28
06. Raknash (Lenz-Hubner) - 4:41
07. Theme from Vietnam (Mangelsdorff) - 0:59
08. Es sungen drei Engel (Trad.-Mangelsdorff) - 7:31

Personnel:

Albert Mangelsdorff - trombone, leader
Gunter Kronberg - alto saxophone
Heinz Sauer - tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone (#1)
Gunter Lenz - bass
Ralf Hubner - drums