Old Times by Herbie Klinger: Cool Jazz That Punches You in the Gut
Alright, let’s get this straight—Herbie Klinger’s Old Times isn’t your grandma’s jazz record. Released back in 2018 under Lani Giro BTM (outta Germany), it’s a raw, unfiltered dive into cool jazz with enough grit to keep you hooked. And yeah, it’s got that smooth vibe we all expect from the genre, but don’t think for a second this is just background music for sipping overpriced coffee. Nah, man. This album hits different.
First off, credit where it’s due: Stefan Werni on double bass lays down grooves so tight they feel like they’re squeezing your chest. Lothar Wantia on drums? Dude doesn’t miss. Ever. Then there’s Niclas Floer tickling those ivories on the grand piano like he’s trying to summon ghosts or something. Oh, and Frank Bergmann switching between tenor and soprano saxophones? Absolute fire. But the real star here is Herbie himself—electric and acoustic guitar work that’ll make your jaw drop faster than a dropped beer bottle.
Now, onto the tracks. I gotta shout out “A Night At The Pond” because holy crap, this one sticks to your brain like gum under a table. It starts slow, almost lazy, like you’re floating face-up in calm water. But then—BAM!—the sax kicks in, sharp as a knife, and suddenly you’re not relaxed anymore; you’re wide awake, heart racing. By the time the percussion joins in (shoutout Pit Podlasly), it’s chaos in the best way possible. Feels like being caught in a storm while still somehow loving every second of it.
Then there’s “Cancao Da Praia,” which is Portuguese for… uh, beach song? Whatever, who cares about translations when the track slaps this hard? The rhythm is hypnotic, pulling you in like quicksand. You can practically smell saltwater and sunscreen while listening. Herbie’s electric guitar riffs are slick without being showy, and Floer’s piano solo near the end? Pure magic. Like, if someone asked me what cool jazz should sound like, I’d shove headphones on their head and hit play on this track. No questions.
But hey, don’t sleep on the rest of the album either. Tracks like “Marina Del Rey” and “Moondance” bring the chill vibes, while cuts like “Message To Heinz” and “Back Again” remind you why jazz will always have swagger. Even the ballads, like “Ballad For Pepper,” pack an emotional punch that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Here’s the thing though: after spinning Old Times, I couldn’t help but wonder—why isn’t Herbie Klinger bigger? Like, stadium-filling, sold-out-arena big? Maybe it’s ‘cause he’s too busy perfecting his craft instead of chasing fame. Or maybe the world just ain’t ready yet. Either way, this album proves that good music doesn’t need flashy gimmicks or TikTok trends to stand out. It just needs soul—and damn, does Old Times have plenty of that.
Final thought: If aliens ever invade Earth and demand proof we’re worth saving, I’m handing them this album. Take that, little green men.
