‚At the Village Gate‘ by Herbie Mann is one of those recordings that I can listen to over and over again, it never gets boring. The special live-recording atmosphere, the driving, precise and enigmatic grooving ensemble, the musicians taking their time on only three tracks, the combination of African and Brazilian influences with state-of-the art jazz, the hit melodies – a record to listen through and start all over again after the B-side.

This copy was given to me by my best friend for my 40th birthday (forever a thousand thanks, dear Stefan Preuss!). Recently we had the rare opportunity to listen through this magical recording together. At home, of course, it’s special, no question.

However, in a listening bar with like-minded people and a breathtaking high-end sound system, ‘Comin’ home baby’ would perhaps be even more sublime. But in Hamburg there is no listening bar like the legendary SHeLTer in Tokyo – maybe a project for a post-Covid times? I would be a regular!

Stefan Mohr