Orchestre National de Jazz

Produced by Laurent Cugny and Daniel Richard for Orchestre National De Jazz. Laurent Cugny - Bandleader. Ranks alongside George Gruntz as prime European contemporary composer, leader. His large orchestra is remniscent of Gil Evans big band in final stages; his pieces have quirky, unpredictable quality, as do his recordings.
The album was recorded in studio and live in 1994 and 1995.

Olivier Benoit brings his EUROPA project to a close by setting a northerly course with his musicians that takes them to the capital of Norway. Oslo is an atypical city. Nestling in the heart of triumphant natural surroundings, it has constantly pursued its architectural and cultural transformation, somewhere in between ancient tradition and the incredibly modern. At the close of the last century, this city was already setting the tone for new artistic concepts. To accompany the capital of Norway in music and establish a subjective portrait of the city, first an immersion was necessary. Living to the rhythm of Oslo’s seasons constituted a vital source of inspiration that provided the composition with its starting point.

Laurent Cugny & Orchestre National De Jazz - Yesternow (1994) {Verve 522 511-2} (Miles Davis related)
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 300 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 135 Mb
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© 1994 Verve / Phonogram-Polygram | 522 511-2
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Contemporary Jazz / Fusion

I'm very fond of Miles' '70s "electric" period, especially the dark, deep live albums he recorded during this time (namely Dark Magus and Agharta). This disc, which gives MD the big-band treatment, offers many pleasures of its own, although, for my money, neither Cugny nor anyone else (save maybe Bill Laswell) has ever reached the same primal place that Miles did during this time. Excellent album! This album is something special. Great atmosphere, 60 minutes of pure enjoying.

Olivier Benoit & Orchestre National De Jazz - Europa Rome (2016) {ONJ Records 444444}
FLAC (tracks) - 16bit/44.1kHz - Official Digital Download (qobuz.com) -> 372 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 155 Mb
Full Artwork (jpg+pdf) -> 22 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2016 Onjazz Records | 444444
Jazz / Modern Big Band / Progressive Jazz

The third album of the ONJ offers an exciting foray into contemporary music. Through two original pieces written specially for the Orchestra, Benjamin de la Fuente and Andrea Agostini deliver a highly personal vision of Rome that borrows from souvenirs and reawakened emotions, and from their own intimate rapport with the city. Two contrasted works that oscillate between high-voltage outbursts, irresistible orchestral masses, and more melancholy, intimate passages, improvisations and rock explosions included… EUROPA ROME, a new album guaranteed to muddy the trail of music genres!