Barney Wilen Quintet - Passione / 2LP Venus Records

French saxophonist Barney Wilen is one of the most renowned European jazz musicians. In 1957, Wilen played with Miles Davis for the famous soundtrack of “Ascenseur Pour L'échafaud”. Wilen also worked with Kenny

Clarke and Thelonious Monk on other film soundtracks. In the last decade of his life, Wilen experienced a major career resurgence, due in part to his great releases on Venus Records. “Passione”, recorded in June 1995,

was Wilen's last album, as he passed away the following year at the age of 59.

“Passione” finds Wilen at his best: light-hearted, inspired and powerful. Trumpeter Enrico Rava, one of Italy's most celebrated jazz musicians, joins Wilen, forming an inspiringly virtuoso musical duo. Barney Wilen is supported

by an extremely competent rhythm section consisting of Alain Jean-Marie (piano), Gilles Naturel (bass) and Philippe Soirat (drums). The quintet swings happily on “Jitterbug Waltz” and Gerry Mulligan's “Line For Lyons” and

shows strong emotions on the beautiful “Estate” and the title track. The versatile program also includes Latin American and Italian songs. This extraordinary album captures Wilen's last creative inspiration in an unforgettable way.

Venus Records was founded in 1992 by Tetsuo Hara, who had previously worked as a producer for RCA Victor. The label uses a mastering process called “Hyper Magnum Sound” – also for the strictly limited double LP of “Passione”,

pressed on 180-gram vinyl and cut at 45 RPM. This special mastering produces a very powerful, present sound and is highly valued by audiophiles worldwide. A small note: Venus LPs are only pressed once.

When the first edition is out of print, the corresponding title is removed from the catalog and will no longer be produced. Collectors should therefore not wait too long to order: all releases of the “Venus Masterpiece Collection” are extremely popular!

Venus LPs are pressed only once. After the first edition is sold out, the titles are removed from the catalog. Collectors should therefore consider a purchase in time.

Title

LP 1

Side A
1. Jitterbag Waltz
2. I Cover The Waterfront
3. Begonia 

Side B
1. My Ship
2. Passione

LP 2

Side C
1. Venetian Rumba
2. Besame Mucho

Side D
1. Estate
2. Line For Lyons
3. Bella Chao
4. Al Herraz