Karl Berger Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
Relatively few of Karl Berger's recordings have been made available in the U.S. (he has lived most of his life in his native Germany), but this Sackville release has generally been one of the easier ones to acquire. A set of rather dry duets with bassist Dave Holland, Berger is heard interpreting five of his originals on vibes, piano and balafon, showing originality and taking chances on each of his instruments. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Just Play was first released on LP in 1979 on the Quark label and had been out of print for ages. In June 2000, the British free jazz label Emanem delivered a new edition with one extra cut, a five-minutes tune by Don Cherry. Karl Berger is a master of the vibraphone, but he also touches balafon (an African xylophone) and darbuka on this recording. In addition to the drum kit, Edward Blackwell also plays osi, an African slit drum. These two percussionists met in the mid-'60s, when together with Pharoah Sanders they were part of Don Cherry's band. Just Play seems to be the only recording to document this duo. This is not free jazz in the strict sense. The music remains well organized and firmly anchored in the jazz tradition. Of course, the vibraphone (and the balafon, for that matter) is not an instrument with which you can experiment with a lot on noises, split-tones and other techniques that are now clichés in improvised music. Therefore, the music here, although it feels freed from the concept of tonality, remains "musical", even melodious, and Blackwell always keeps a groove, something strongly in evidence on the track "We Are." This is light, relaxed jazz, pleasant, not thought-provoking, but full of inspiring chops. Oh, and a meaningful source of inspiration for percussionists. ~ François Couture, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Lest anyone forget what a wondrous vibraphonist and pianist Berger is, this recording is a welcome reminder. The musical conversations are a series of duets with various longtime friends, including alto saxophonist/flutist Carlos Ward, bassist Dave Holland, guitarist James "Blood" Ulmer, vocalist Ingrid Sertso, trombonist Ray Anderson and violinist Mark Feldman. The music is completely tonal, lively within subtle constructions, and thoroughly enjoyable. With Ward, Berger conjures up a more spiritual side on the lustrous alto sax/piano Berger original duet "At Last," while Ward's pitch perfect flute is an organ of sheer beauty alongside Berger's vibes on the 6/8 paced "Out There Alone." If you've heard Holland and Berger's trio sessions with Ed Blackwell (Transit and Crystal Fire on Black Saint) you know these two are in tune with each other's every move, evidenced on the beautifully conceived vibes/bass unison & counterpoint of "Presently" or the lengthy piano/bass lament "Still." The distinctly unusual combination of Berger's piano extrapolations and Ulmer's electric guitar crops up on "North" with Ulmer choppy and Berger agreeable, or the more bouncy "South." Anderson leaps into a couple of standards, with Berger's piano on the extraordinarily spontaneous, well paced "Bemsha Swing," and a less calypso/more swinging with vibes take of "St. Thomas." Feldman's features have him hunting, pecking, and effectively searching for fresh harmonic vistas, weaving in and out of the languid piano and melody of "Lover Man," or the free and fanciful vibes/violin tandem in the palpable swing of the improvised piece "Another." In oblique or inquisitive words and scat, Sertso joins Berger's similarly stanced vibes on "Why Is It That It's Not?," whereas in a light, airy mood they give perpective on "Freedom Getting There," Berger's lithe piano providing all the answers. While close to Berger's best, it certainly is his most universally accessible recording. Easily recommended to the max, but definitely check out the Berger-Holland-Blackwell trio CD's as perfect companions pieces, and equally perfect, fully realized musical statements. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
An innovative vibraphonist who has traveled his own musical path throughout his career, Karl Berger is heard on this Black Saint release performing seven of his diverse pieces in trios with bassist Dave Holland and the colorful drummer Ed Blackwell. Many moods are explored; there is a feature for Blackwell and also a tribute piece for Ornette Coleman. Recommended as an excellent example of Karl Berger's inside/outside playing. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
