The United Jazz & Rock Ensemble sought to blend the best elements of avant-garde jazz with rock when it was formed in the 1970s. With the presence of such talented musicians like keyboardist Wolfgang Dauner, trombonist Albert Mangelsdorff, alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano, electric bassist Eberhard Weber, and trumpeter Ian Carr, they had a hit with this live album (which was also their debut). Guitarist Volker Kriegel's funky "Circus Gambet" is a solid opener, while Carr's repetitious "Hey Day" takes its time to get going. Dauner's adventurous "Steps of M. C. Escher" has intricate horn charts, while his "The Love That Cannot Speak Its Name" proves to be rather pedestrian. The group lasted for a few years with some personnel changes, but Live im Schutzenhaus remains the album to obtain. - Ken Dryden
Tracks
1. Circus Gambit (Volker Kriegel)
2. Heyday (Ian Carr)
3. Steps of M.C. Escher (Wolfgang Dauner)
4. South Indian Line (Charlie Mariano)
5. Hypnotic Pignose (Volker Kriegel)
6. Love That Cannot Speak Its Name (Wolfgang Dauner)
7. Be-Bop Rock (Wolfgang Dauner)
EBERHARD WEBER bass
JON HISEMAN drums
VOLKER KRIEGEL guitar
BARBARA THOMPSON flute, tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone
CHARLIE MARIANO alto saxophone, soprano saxophone, nagashwaran
WOLFGANG DAUNER piano, clavinet, synthesizer
ALBERT MANGELSDORFF trombone
IAN CARR trumpet
ACK VAN ROOYEN trumpet, flugelhorn
Recorded January 7-9, 1977 at an IG Jazz event, Schútzenhaus in Stuttgart-Heslach
Mood Records - 22666 / Mood 33.609 Germany