Record Reviews

KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976 HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a who’s who of early 1970’s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ZOOT MONEY / BIG ROLL BAND ~ BIG TIME OPERATOR REPERTOIRE 5343 (Barcode: 4009910534328) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1964 - 1968 Released: 2017 This is a wonderful Box Set collecting early recordings by British vocalist / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and his excellent ensemble called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Spread over 4 CDs, the material includes the two albums: "Zoot!Find albums with this title" (Recorded live at the Klook´s Kleek club and released in 1966) and "It Should`ve Been MeFind albums with this title" (The debut studio album released in 1965) and a plethora of additional material, which was recorded live at the Flamingo, as well as at the BBC. Also included are singles and other recordings made between 1964 and 1968, altogether ninety tracks spanning over five hours of music, worth their weight in gold. The band included such luminaries like saxophonists Nick NewallFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Clive BurrowsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist (later of PoliceFind albums by this artist fame), vocalist / bassist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist. Although the music reflects the British Soul and Rhythm And Blues explosion of the mid 1960s, it also clearly reveals the seeds of early Jazz-Rock and the closely intertwined, cross-genre approach that characterized the British scene at the time. Many musicians felt as comfortable playing a Rhythm And Blues gig as they would playing a Blues or a straight ahead Jazz gig, displaying the same dexterity, knowhow and passion, regardless of the circumstances. Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band replaced Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist as the house band at the Flamingo, and the similarities between these two excellent bands are striking; both led by a vocalist / organist, with similar throaty vocal quality, both featured brass sections and a famous (to be) guitarists (in the case of the Blue Flames it was no else than John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist). Most importantly both these ensembles were swinging like hell and had a strong Jazzy feel whatever they were doing. In retrospect the music presented by the Box Set, although definitely "dated", still sounds absolutely fresh and inspiring. Yes, nobody plays like that anymore, and what a pity it is that they don´t. In spite of the seemingly naïve melodic structures, the music is full of clever hooks and twists, and the playing is simply superb from start to finish. Beautifully remastered, accompanied by a book with background essays, interviews and many wonderful photographs, this Box Set is a treasure chest, like many similar compilations made by the German RepertoireFind albums on this label label, which specializes in reissues. I hope some younger listeners will reach out and give this music a listen, as it could be really enlightening, especially in view of what is considered as music today. To the people who remember this stuff from their youth, like yours truly, this is an absolute must and an invigorating reminder that music was fun a long, long time ago.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 24/05/2018

CD 4 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS ~ GREEN CHIMNEYS REPERTOIRE / RARE 1002 (Barcode: 4009910000229) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1988 Released: 2007 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is a tribute to the music of the great American pianist / composer Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist, showcases Summers as a splendid Jazz guitarist, with beautiful technique and exquisite taste. Of course Summers manages to achieve a completely unique sound and voicing on his instrument, which retain a certain affiliation with his Rock roots, but overall the album is an absolute knockout. With drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist, organist Joey DeFrancescoFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave CarpenterFind albums by this artist, StingFind albums by this artist doing vocals on one track and many other superb musicians, this album is a true delight. Life is full of surprises!

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS ~ PEGGY`S BLUE SKYLIGHT REPERTOIRE / RARE 1003 (Barcode: 4009910000328) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2000 Released: 2007 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is a tribute to the music of the great American bassist / composer Charles MingusFind albums by this artist, showcases Summers as a splendid Jazz guitarist, with beautiful technique and exquisite taste. Of course Summers manages to achieve a completely unique sound and voicing on his instrument, which retain a certain affiliation with his Rock roots, but overall the album is an absolute knockout. With bassist Dave CarpenterFind albums by this artist, drummer Joel TaylorFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Randy BreckerFind albums by this artist and many other superb musicians, this album is a true delight. Life is full of surprises! Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice I was a little sceptical about this but have thoroughly enjoyed it; a new slant on successful fusion in my view - jazz with pop/rock production!

CD 1 Digipak Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS / VICTOR BIGLIONE ~ SPLENDID BRAZIL REPERTOIRE / RARE 1016 (Barcode: 4009910001622) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2002 Released: 2008 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is the second guitar duo recording with the Brazilian (born in Argentina) virtuoso guitarist Victor BiglioneFind albums by this artist, presents Summers as a monster acoustic guitar player and a most sensitive performer. The duo performs material ranging from Jazz standards to World Music pieces, all of which were composed by great Brazilian musicians (Hermeto PascoalFind albums by this artist, Tom JobimFind albums by this artist and others) and all of which is absolutely brilliant. This is guitar heaven! Life is full of surprises!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS / VICTOR BIGLIONE ~ STRINGS OF DESIRE REPERTOIRE / RARE 1015 (Barcode: 4009910001523) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1998 Released: 2008 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is the first guitar duo recording with the Brazilian (born in Argentina) virtuoso guitarist Victor BiglioneFind albums by this artist, presents Summers as a monster acoustic guitar player and a most sensitive performer. The duo performs material ranging from Jazz standards to World Music pieces, all of which is absolutely brilliant. This is guitar heaven! Life is full of surprises!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SUMMERS / BEN VERDERY ~ FIRST YOU BUILD A CLOUD REPERTOIRE / RARE 1001 (Barcode: 4009910000120) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2004 Released: 2007 It is not often that a Rock musician decides to cross over into much more advanced musical environment, such as Jazz or World Music and does so completely and seriously. PoliceFind albums by this artist guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, obviously known to most Rock listeners on this planet, is one of those musicians, who changed their path and successfully developed a "new" career. This album, which is the first guitar duo recording with the American virtuoso guitarist Ben VerderyFind albums by this artist, presents Summers as a monster acoustic guitar player and a most sensitive performer. The duo performs material composed by Summers with one piece by StingFind albums by this artist and one classical composition, all of which are absolutely brilliant. This is guitar heaven! Life is full of surprises!

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend