IN+OUT Records has unearthed another treasure by Romanian-German jazz pianist Eugen Cicero: 'Lullabies', a trio studio recording from 1995 with Decebal Badila on bass and Ringo Hirth on drums. This album was originally only released for the Japanese market and is now available worldwide for the first time.
In the early 1990s, Makoto Kimata repeatedly asked Eugen to record the lullaby "Berceuse" by the French composer Benjamin Godard (1849-1895) for his grandson. This is how the 'Lullabies' project started. Since it was not possible to record in Japan, Eugen Cicero rented the radio studio of the former SWF in Mainz, Germany.
Here, he recorded twelve lullabies within three days together with Ringo Hirth on drums and Decebal Badila on bass. It was to become the last studio recording of his career. However, the 'Lullabies' were only produced for the Japanese market. Eugen Cicero enjoyed cult status in Japan. The Japanese love jazz and classical music equally, and do not tend to differentiate, as is the case in Europe, especially in Germany.
When one speaks of lullabies, jazz enthusiasts immediately think of "Lullaby Of Birdland" by George Shearing. The classically educated music lover, however, will have the songs of Brahms, Mozart and Schubert in mind. Well, you may find both genres combined on this album.
While many people do find their nightly rest with sleeping pills, head phones or iPhone in hand these days, this music gives you an attractive alternative.
