Fontessa

The Modern Jazz Quartet, M.j.q | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 31, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B000002I4D
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,538 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Melodic and arousing., October 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Fontessa (Audio CD)

Milt Jackson's ability on the vibraphone and the capabilities of the rest of the MJQ make this one of their finest albums. The music grabs the listener up, and takes them along. It is engaging, accessable, and pleasing to the unpracticed ear as well as the sophisticated one.

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top performance by MJQ, July 5, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fontessa (Audio CD)

This is definitely one of the very finest of MJQ records. It is simply marvelous.
However, be careful with what CD version to buy! The record was recorded in stereo, but the usual edition is in mono (otherwise in good sound).
I, however, wanted the stereo version. I purchased a quite expensive... Japanese edition a couple of months ago at the Virgin records store on the Champs Elysées in Paris. It was as expected in stereo, but the sound is awful - on every track there is a constant strong murmuring background sound that makes listening almost pointless.
I have written and complained to the Atlantic company in New York.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential and beautiful recording, December 4, 2002

By 

Joost Daalder "Joost Daalder" (South Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fontessa (Audio CD)

I would truly find it odd to contemplate life without this recording. This is one of those utterly satisfying artistic productions that make one feel that it has been always "there", as part of nature, of creation, whether divinely ordained or not. To those who feel that "classical' music must be "classical" - untainted by jazz - or those who feel that jazz must NOT be "classical", i.e. be "pure" jazz, I would say: listen with an open mind, don't pigeonhole artistic creations, be receptive, and you will enjoy - again and again. The music is quiet, but intense, wonderfully melodious yet profound. As a coherent ensemble, this was one of the best groups ever. The suite "Fontessa" - the piece de resistance of this recording - was a great composition by a great jazz composer, and is beautifully coherent, pointed, subtle and rich. But so are the other tracks. Purchasing this for ongoing musical satisfaction would be one of the very best "investments" one could make. Unhesitatingly recommended - there is just no negative that comes to mind, only great respect and gratitude to the musicians for their warm, vital and inspiring, uplifting contribution. - Joost Daalder