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Mal Waldron Maturity Series

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snobb View Drop Down
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    Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 12:45pm
Being very prolific artist,starting from mid-90s pianist Mal Waldron had recorded quite a few material, not all of it was released when it was recorded, and Waldron's largest collection from that period comes as Japanese Tokuma label's released "Maturity" series.

Even if all series albums are released during last decade, as it often happens with Japanese releases there are very limited information about their content. I spent quite a lot time searching for that data and now have more or less detailed view. No-one of these albums is exceptional by its musical quality, but as a representative collection of Maldron last years recordings they have some attraction for artist fans. Being expensive as any Japanese release, it's still possible to find them in net,so the question is if you are ready to pay often high cost to get one. I believe more detailed info could help making right decision.


The first album in a series is tittled "Klassics" - and it's extremely unusual recording for Waldron. It contains eleven compositions of which five are Waldron's originals and the rest - Brahms,Chopin,Grieg and Bartok music! Some of classic compositions are played in usual Waldron's manner,others- almost as chamber jazz. All music is recorded by trio, Waldron's collaborators are two Japanese musicians: bassist Kengo Nakamura and vibist Yoshihiko Katori. It's a studio material, recorded in Tokyo in 1998.

Important note:  All this material was already released before on the same Tokuma label in Japan at the year when it was recorded (as Mal Waldron "Klassics" album with different cover art). Reissued in 2003 version opens "Maturity" series as "Maturity 1 : Klassics" with characteristic series cover design.


 


Edited by snobb - 02 Nov 2017 at 12:13pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 12:51pm
Second album from "Maturity" series contains previously unreleased material,recorded in Japanese studio F/Gifu in August 1995. Mostly solo piano recording (on some songs - Mala Waldron plays piano and sings), all but two Maldron's originals plus "My Funny Valentine" and "A Night In Tunisia". Sound quality varies (what is very unusual for Tokuma album, the label is known as "audiophile"), quality of material are only average, it looks that this album contains some outtakes, rehearsal tapes,etc.



Image result for mal waldron Maturity, Vol. 2
 


Edited by snobb - 02 Nov 2017 at 12:13pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 12:56pm
Third album from the series contains duo recordings - Mal Waldron plays with Japanese drummer Takeo Moriyama. Technically complex and freer than usual originals are full of energy, this album is musically the best of all five. It's important to notice though all this material was already released by Tokuma in 1996 as Takeo Moriyama album "Dual". Re-titled "Maturity 3: Dual" it comes in 2003 with different cover.


Mal Waldron - Maturity, Vol. 3
 


Edited by snobb - 02 Nov 2017 at 12:13pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 1:00pm
I never heard "Maturity 4: White Road Black Rain". What I find out is it was originally recorded and released in 1995 and contains two studio and two live tracks. All compositions were recorded by trio of Waldron, vocalist Jeanne Lee and Japanese flutist Toru Tenda.



Edited by snobb - 02 Nov 2017 at 12:13pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote snobb Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2014 at 1:04pm
Final album "Maturity 5: Elusiveness Of Mt.Fuji" contains previously unreleased Waldron solo piano recordings,coming from small place Japanese concert (rec.1996). Waldron plays his best known compositions and standards, sound quality is good but Mal sounds quite uninspired here. Album for collectors,hardly more.


 


Edited by snobb - 02 Nov 2017 at 12:14pm
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