Lester Bowie / Germany 03.15.1983 FM Broadcast Edition

This recording captures a live performance in Hamburg in 1983, originally intended for broadcast. Featuring tracks from the legendary 80s trumpeter’s masterpiece “The Great Pretender,” this is a must-have big title for fans, offering incredibly cool arrangements only heard live. Bowie, clad in a white coat and imbued with humor and irony, cuts through space with sharp, piercing sounds once he picks up his horn. The aesthetics of “theatricality” and “collective improvisation” cultivated with the Art Ensemble of Chicago are intensely reflected in this performance. The seamless interplay of traditional swing fragments, noise-like roars, and even gospel-like emotion is breathtaking. Particularly noteworthy is the “three-dimensionality” of the sound. Skillfully capturing the hall’s reverberation, each trumpet note stands out vividly, as if the recording has captured the very atmosphere of the live performance. The thrill of improvisation, the humorous timing, and the occasional glimpses of lyricism draw the listener into deep immersion. This album transcends mere recording, offering an immersive “experience.” For listeners seeking to experience the heart of avant-garde jazz, this is an essential album that I wholeheartedly recommend. Live At Hamburg, Germany March 15th, 1983 Disc 1 1. All The Magic 2. For Louis 3. Tobago Tango 4. Zero 5. Everything Must Change 6. Untitle(inc) Disc 2 1. The Great Pretender 3. Howdy Doody 4. Riot Negros 5. Let’s The Good Time Roll Lester Bowie (tpt) Ari Brown (ts, fl) Albert Dailey (p) Malachi Favors (b) Philip Wilson (dr) Fontella Bass (voc) David Peaston (voc)