I agree with the subdued Reviews substantially. I think the CD nice, but also quite überraschungsarm without corners and edges. Particularly disappointed but I was of the live performance. In March 2013 Wolfgang Haffner was performed together with his quartet in Nuremberg. The first half of the concert was disputed by Bugge Wesseltoft's Jazzland colleagues Releases. Also on board Mari Kvien Brunvoll (vocals, loops), Hakon Kornstad were (saxophone, loops) and Ola Kvernberg Trio (violin, bass, drums). What had deducted these musicians, was convincing in every respect. Savvy and imaginative at the same time modest and almost timid habit of musicians. The appearance of Wolfgang Haffner Quartet in the second half, however, was a disappointment: stupid, low-stress music. A drum performance on brute but banal level. Wolfgang Haffner has it can celebrate like a king, but his martial gesture bore no relation to what is offered. Opposite Erik Nylander, the drummer of Ola Kvernberg trio Wolfgang Haffner looked like a student.
I want to write at this point no review about the concert. The studio recording, which you can buy here is, in any case better than what I experienced on the concert. This album is probably better than most of what else the radio is no question about it. But why someone who is considered one of the best drummers, such uninspired delivers music? Wolfgang Haffner has spoken at the concert of the music market (ie, sales of CDs) had collapsed. Can the pandering to mass taste are seen as a way out of the crisis? This question is probably not easy to answer. But I think there is a way to connect originality and innovativeness with mass compatibility. The protest in any case, the representatives of the label "Jazzland" in an impressive way.