MICHAEL ZENTNER — Present Time (review)

MICHAEL ZENTNER — Present Time album cover Album · 1983 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Rokukai
If this site were a rock site I'd definitely give this album 5 stars. It does fit squarely into the jazz related rock subgenre, however this recording is Zentner's attempt to add his fingerprints to the progressive rock fueled Canterbury canon. As founding member of seminal U.S. artists the Muffins, Michael left before their late 70 masterpiece of the Canterbury style, Manna/Mirage, was recorded and released.

This album has one of the most diverse, eclectic, and talented artists I've ever seen on an album from one artist in this style of music. One look from a progressive music fan at the list of musicians reveals several giants of the genre. It even features saxaphone from jazz legend Carla Bley, who was quite well established as of this recording.

It's tough to find, but if you like adventurous rock with a jazz undercurrent, you should check this one out. The obscurity factor is off the charts as well. This recording deserves to be at least as well known as lesser Canterbury bands like Ain Soph or Picchio Dal Pozzo. Present Time really is a lost classic that deserves a wider audience.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Mid Spiral : Chaos Nu Jazz
BADBADNOTGOOD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mid Spiral : Growth Nu Jazz
BADBADNOTGOOD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mid Spiral : Order Nu Jazz
BADBADNOTGOOD
Buy this album from MMA partners
Evil Does Not Exist Jazz Related Soundtracks
EIKO ISHIBASHI
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Hermetic Organ Volume 13 - Biennale Musica Venezia Jazz Related Improv/Composition
JOHN ZORN
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

BADBADNOTGOOD - Audacia
BADBADNOTGOOD
js· 74 minutes ago
BADBADNOTGOOD - Sunday Afternoon's Dream
BADBADNOTGOOD
js· 77 minutes ago
dark little narratives
OMAWI (WARELIS / GOVAERT / DE JOODE)
js· 13 hours ago
Action at a Distance
RICH RUTH
js· 1 day ago
Bruckners Breakdown
JAZZRAUSCH BIGBAND
js· 1 day ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us