Name: Intercontinental
Brand: Joe Pass

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

0215912MSW

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2022-02-25

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Proper

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

4029759159124

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Joe Pass

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

American jazz guitarist of Sicilian descent, Joe Pass was born on January 13, 1929 in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He began his musical journey at the age of 14 and went on to become one of the greatest jazz guitarists. Overcoming a long battle with drug addiction, Pass established himself as a brilliant improviser known for his fluent single note lines influenced by bop, sophisticated harmonic sense, and rhythmic drive. In the 1970s, he adopted a fingerstyle approach to playing and recorded several solo performances. Pass collaborated with legendary jazz artists including Count Basie, Benny Carter, Zoot Sims, Milt Jackson, Duke Ellington and notably Ella Fitzgerald.

Pass's contributions to jazz were recognized by Ibanez who produced a 'Joe Pass' edition in their archtop jazz guitar range. Epiphone also manufactured a 'Joe Pass' version of their 'Emperor' jazz guitar in honor of his talent and influence.

Similar artists who share Pass's passion for jazz include Wes Montgomery, Jim Hall, Pat Martino, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel and many others.

MPS is a German jazz label that was founded in 1968 by Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer. It started as a successor to SABA and quickly gained recognition for its exceptional sound quality. Often compared to the renowned Blue Note label, MPS became known as Most Perfect Sound.

From 1971 onwards, MPS releases were distributed by BASF and later by Metronome Records GmbH (renamed Metronome Musik GmbH in 1977). However, in 1983, due to declining budgets for recording jazz music, Brunner-Schwer shifted his focus to classical music and sold the rights of MPS to Philips. Eventually, the label found its way under Polydor's ownership and its recordings were re-released by Motor Music starting from 1993.

In Hamburg, Universal Jazz Germany took over the MPS archives in 1999 while Speakers Corner Records released various vinyl reissues. After ten years since Brunner-Schwer's passing, Edel acquired MPS's back catalogue from Universal on January 7th, 2014. Now led by Andreas Brunner-Schwer and Friedhelm Schulz, the team has returned to Villingen where they continue recording new material.

Reissue of a 1971 trio recording by guitar great Joe Pass, bassist Eberhard Weber and drummer Kenny Clare.

"Joe Pass looks like somebody's uncle and plays guitar like nobody's business." So said New York Magazine about the man considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarists of the 20th century. Pass's masterful melodic counterpoint and quicksilver improvisational style flow throughout Intercontinental.

Since the American had a first-class bassist in Eberhard Weber at his side during his June 1970 MPS session in Germany's idyllic Black Forest, Pass could concentrate on playing the melody and the chords. Weber, who comes from Stuttgart, Germany, would soon develop his own electric bass, but at this point he was still playing the traditional acoustic contrabass. Third in the group was British drummer Kenny Clare. Pass chose the program for the recording, mixing standards with originals. It's amazing how such typical big band pieces as "Stompin' at the Savoy" and "Lil' Darlin'" sound in trio; Pass and company swing like they were Count Basie and his orchestra."

Intercontinental

Music GB