Record Reviews

GILGAMESH ~ ANOTHER FINE TUNE YOU`VE GOT ME INTO ESOTERIC 2126 (Barcode: 5013929722620) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009 2nd album by the wonderful Canterbury scene iconic ensemble GilgameshFind albums by this artist, founded by keyboardist Alan GowenFind albums by this artist in 1972. Over the years the ensemble operated under a revolving door policy with lineup changes as frequent as gigging opportunities and the musicians changing places between groups like Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist, Soft HeapFind albums by this artist and other lesser known outfits. The list of ex-Gilgamesh members reads like a crème de la crème of the Canterbury Jazz / Rock scene. By 1975 the group managed to record their debut album for the VirginFind albums on this label´s esoteric imprint CarolineFind albums on this label, only to splinter again soon after. Three years later Gowen re-assembled a new lineup of Gilgamesh and recorded this album, which unfortunately was to be their last, with Gowen dying of leukemia in 1981 at the age of just 33. The players on this album are Gowen on keyboards, original Gilgamesh member guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and veteran Jazz drummer Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist. The music, written almost entirely by Gowen, is typical Canterbury mix of Jazz and some Rock influences, with extended improvisations and brilliant performances from start to finish. Gowen´s brilliant compositions remain unmatched and unchallenged in their harmonic beauty and sophistication. This is classic Canterbury stuff and it retains its vitality and importance with no signs of getting outdated. A must to any Canterbury or British Jazz-Rock enthusiast!

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GILGAMESH ~ ANOTHER FINE TUNE YOU`VE GOT ME INTO SPALAX 14838 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1978 2nd album by GilgameshFind albums by this artist, a seminal Canterbury band, which included members of National HealthFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist and possibly every other Cantrbury musician in the course of their ever changing line-up through the years. Kept together by Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (keyboards) this group played always some of the most interesting and advanced music of that era. A must!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

GILGAMESH ~ ARRIVING TWICE CUNEIFORM 140 (Barcode: 045775014029) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1973 - 1975 Released: 2000 GilgameshFind albums by this artist were one of the most important Canterbury bands. Led by keyboards player Alan GowenFind albums by this artist, the band was formed in 1973 and existed till 1979, releasing two excellent albums. Members of Gilgamesh played in National HealthFind albums by this artist and Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist - two seminal Canterbury bands. This CD consists of all previously unreleased material recorded between 1973 and 1975.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GILGAMESH ~ GILGAMESH ESOTERIC 2242 (Barcode: 5013929734227) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1975 Released: 2011 This amazing album is the first of the two studio albums the short-lived Canterbury Scene outfit GilgameshFind albums by this artist managed to record. Led by keyboardist / composer Alan GowenFind albums by this artist, who was the group´s main contributor, the group on this album also includes guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist and drummer Michael TravisFind albums by this artist. Singer Amanda ParsonsFind albums by this artist is also featured on two tracks. Of course every Canterbury Scene fan knows about this album and no introductions are necessary, as it is an absolute classic. Impossible (so far) to find on CD, this is a most welcome reissue, which closes a huge gap in the recorded legacy of the scene. An absolute must!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN GOWEN / PHIL MILLER / RICHARD SINCLAIR / TREVOR TOMKINS ~ BEFORE A WORD IS SAID BLUEPRINT 130 (Barcode: 604388103027) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1981 Released: 1995 A rare gem of the Canterbury music and the last recording by Alan GowenFind albums by this artist before his untimely death at the age of 33. The music is everything a Canterbury fan can expect by a band which combines the elements of National HealthFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist and GilgameshFind albums by this artist - brilliant jazzy improvisations and intricate compositions.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

HUGH HOPPER / ALAN GOWEN ~ TWO RAINBOWS DAILY CUNEIFORM 077 (Barcode: 045775007724) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1980 Released: 1995 Reissue of a classic album by two of the Canterbury scene`s greatest musicians - Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (keyboards - see National HealthFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist and GilgameshFind albums by this artist) and Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (bass - see Soft MachineFind albums by this artist). This intimate duo recording (using overdubs) displays the talents of the musicians involved to create sophisticated music, melodic and yet complex and fascinating. An absolute must to all Canterbury scene lovers.

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

NATIONAL HEALTH ~ D.S. AL CODA BLUEPRINT 129 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene This album was recorded after Alan GowenFind albums by this artist, the founder of National HealthFind albums by this artist, tragically died from cancer and is dedicated to his memory. The album features only Gowen`s compositions (brilliant as usual) and is a prime example of the Canterbury flavor of Prog, with strong jazz influences.

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NATIONAL HEALTH ~ NATIONAL HEALTH ESOTERIC 2129 (Barcode: 5013929722927) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1977 Released: 2009 1st album by the exquisite band National HealthFind albums by this artist, which was the last of the great original bands and the centerpiece crown jewel of the Canterbury scene, as it combined all the elements that made this musical excursion so unique and important, crystallizing a decade of development and constant search for new forms of musical expression. Formed by keyboardist / composer Dave StewartFind albums by this artist, who previously led such cornerstone Canterbury ensembles like EggFind albums by this artist and Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, combining musicians of the last and another sublime ensemble GilgameshFind albums by this artist, which also recently fell apart. After several personnel changes, the band stabilized as a quartet, including in addition to Stewart guitarist Phil MillerFind albums by this artist, bassist Neil MurrayFind albums by this artist and drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist, all veterans and immensely gifted players. The album also includes guest contributions of other Canterbury luminaries, like Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (keyboards), Amanda ParsonsFind albums by this artist (vocals), Jimmy HastingsFind albums by this artist (flute) and others. Overall National Health was an ideal tool to deliver the intricate melodic content of Stewart´s compositions, spiced with lengthy jazzy improvisations, which could go on for several minutes and allow ample opportunity for the players to stretch out, probably more that in any earlier Canterbury ensemble. There is never a dull moment here, with ideas chasing ideas at all times and the listener is drawn into the music completely. This album is a timeless masterpiece and an essential cornerstone of any serious record collection!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

NATIONAL HEALTH ~ PLAYTIME CUNEIFORM 145 (Barcode: 045775014524) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1979 Released: 2001 Live recordings by National HealthFind albums by this artist, a seminal Canterbury band led by Alan GowenFind albums by this artist, who sadly died from cancer in 1981. All members of this group are master improvisers and the jazzy compositions are ideal vehicles for their performance. A most welcome addition to the historical perspective of the Canterbury scene.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SOFT HEAP ~ AL DENTE REEL RECORDINGS 008 (Barcode: 641444027927) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1978 Released: 2008 Soft HeapFind albums by this artist was a short-lived Canterbury super-group where members of Soft MachineFind albums by this artist (Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist – bass and Elton DeanFind albums by this artist – sax) met with pianist Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist) and drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist (GongFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist). They managed to record just one (eponymous) studio album and disbanded shortly afterwards, with each musician pursuing their own path. This wonderful album presents one of the very few live gigs the band played live in London and is of course a Canterbury dream comes true. The band had all the qualities that make the Canterbury scene so special; superb musicianship, great compositions and a free spirit atmosphere with a dash of typical British humor. For specialists – we can hear here a composition by Gowen, which was never previously available on record and the band´s name (second word) is an acronym of the band´s first names. Considering the fact that Gowen, Dean and Pyle are no longer with us (they passed away in 1981, 2006 and 2006 respectively) and Hopper is fighting leukemia at the time these lines are written, this is a tremendously important document of an era, which unfortunately is long time gone. A must for any Canterbury fan!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

SOFT HEAP ~ SOFT HEAP ESOTERIC 2131 (Barcode: 5013929723122) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009 Only album by the great band Soft HeapFind albums by this artist, a short-lived Canterbury super-group where members of Soft MachineFind albums by this artist (Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist – bass and Elton DeanFind albums by this artist – sax) met with pianist Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist) and drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist (GongFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist). They managed to record just this one (eponymous) studio album and disbanded shortly afterwards, with each musician pursuing their own path. The band had all the qualities that make the Canterbury scene so special; superb musicianship, great compositions and a free spirit atmosphere with a dash of typical British humor. For specialists – the band´s name (second word) is an acronym of the band members´ first names. Considering the fact that Gowen, Dean, Pyle and Hopper are no longer with us (they passed away in 1981, 2006, 2006 and 2009 respectively) this is a tremendously important document of an era, which unfortunately is long time gone. A must for any Canterbury fan!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend