Manfred Burzlaff - Berlin Jazz Soundtracks (1960s)

Step into the intoxicating world of Berlin’s jazz scene in the 1960s with “Berlin Jazz Soundtracks“ by the maestro, Manfred Burzlaff. A vibraphonist, pianist, and composer extraordinaire, Burzlaff’s music paints a vivid sonic portrait of a city in the throes of change. These previously unknown hard bop and cool jazz gems, rescued from the Berlin Image Films of the 1960s, are a testament to Burzlaff’s genius in harmonies and improvisation. Manfred Burzlaff’s journey through jazz is nothing short of extraordinary. Picture a young Burzlaff sharing a stage with Chet Baker, jamming with luminaries like Art Farmer, Dexter Gordon, and Lionel Hampton. His musical sojourn takes him from the vibrant jazz clubs of Berlin to a year in Paris, rubbing shoulders with jazz legends. Burzlaff’s prowess on the vibraphone, an instrument he adopted after an encounter with Lionel Hampton, catapults him into the league of Europe’s best vibraphonists. As a composer, Burzlaff ventures into uncharted territories, creating improvisational concepts and experiments reminiscent of the Clarke-Boland Sextet. His music is a fusion of intellectual depth and raw emotion, a sonic journey that transcends the conventional boundaries of jazz. The soundtrack work for Berlin’s promotional films becomes a canvas for his creativity, blending cultural highlights with scores for sexual education and commercials. The album unfolds a musical diary of a jazz virtuoso who lived through the highs and lows of Berlin’s jazz evolution. From the frenetic energy of “Jazz Walzer“ to the moody exploration of “Tränenpalast,“ each track is a chapter in the sonic novel of Burzlaff’s Berlin. The soundtrack for “Schatten,“ which won the “Berlin Art Award,“ marks a pivotal moment in his career, leading to over 40 film scores, spanning cultural documentaries to advertisements. Burzlaff’s life is a montage of jazz anecdotes—LSD in drinks, carrying Chet Baker off the stage, and impromptu requests from the audience. As “Berlin Jazz Soundtracks“ spins, it’s not just an album; it’s a time machine. Close your eyes, and you’re in the smoky jazz clubs of Berlin, witnessing the birth of musical magic. Manfred Burzlaff’s legacy lives on through these tracks, capturing the essence of a jazz era that reverberates through time. So, grab your metaphorical jazz passport, let the vibes of the vibraphone transport you, and join the sonic exploration of Berlin’s jazz legacy with Manfred Burzlaff’s “Berlin Jazz Soundtracks.“ It’s not just an album; it’s an experience, a celebration of a musical genius who left an indelible mark on the soundscape of Berlin.