Albert Mangelsdorff had just completed a long concert tour in Asia prior to this recording session in Frankfurt, where he documented many of the originals that he performed on the road. Accompanied by alto saxophonist Gunther Kronberg, tenor saxophonist
Heinz Sauer, bassist Gunter Lenz and drummer
Ralf Hubner, the trombonist offers a splendid mix of Eastern and Western music in his arrangements. "Now, Jazz Ramwong" is an enticing modal piece inspired by a Thai folk dance, featuring Kronberg on soprano sax.
Mangelsdorff's "Blue Fanfare" and "Blues Du Domicile" are straightforward boppish blues, while "Es Sungen Drei Engel" is his adaptation of a 13th century German folk song.
Sauer contributed "Club Trois," while "Three Jazz Moods on a Theme from Pather Panchali" is the leader's adaptation of music by sitarist
Ravi Shankar. Although this long unavailable music has reappeared on CD, it may still be somewhat challenging to acquire. ~ Ken Dryden