Record Reviews

GEORGIE FAME / ANNIE ROSS / HOAGY CARMICHAEL ~ IN HOAGLAND DRG 5197 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1981 Released: 1981 This is a delightful and completely obscure album by British Jazz vocalists Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and Annie RossFind albums by this artist with legendary American songwriter / pianist / vocalist Hoagy CarmichaelFind albums by this artist, whose appearance on this album was his final recording before his death in 1981, soon after this album was recorded. They are accompanied by a superb orchestra, called Famous Flamingo OrchestraFind albums by this artist, featuring the absolute top British Jazz musicians, like saxophonists Peter KingFind albums by this artist and Dick MorrisseyFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Ian HamerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Geoff CastleFind albums by this artist (Fame also plays keyboards), guitarist Martin KershawFind albums by this artist, bassists Darryl RunswickFind albums by this artist and Jim RichardsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Barry MorganFind albums by this artist – an absolute dream team. The album presents thirteen famous songs written by Carmichael and arranged by Harry SouthFind albums by this artist. The music and the performances are absolutely brilliant, as everything Fame put his hands on and with the help of this fabulous team this is a true delight from start to end. They don’t make music like this anymore, sadly… Of course this is on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but who cares, as long as the music plays! Overall, this is a completely unknown album by great Jazz artists, which deserves to be heard, especially if one loves a great Jazz standard sung by two of the best! It took me years to find a copy of this, so I am happy ;) You might as well try to find a copy, as it is definitely worth it!

Updated: 30/03/2023Posted: 30/03/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MAGICIAN ~ MAGICIAN VOCALION 8447 (Barcode: 765387844721) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1979 Released: 2009 1st and only album by the British Jazz-Rock ensemble MagicianFind albums by this artist, a short lived group of top British Jazz musicians assembled to record this album written and arranged by Stan ButcherFind albums by this artist, himself a veteran composer / arranger on the British scene for several decades before this recording was made. Led by the fabulous saxophonist / flautist Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, the group also included keyboardist Fiachra TrenchFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ray RussellFind albums by this artist, bassist Mo FosterFind albums by this artist and drummer Barry MorganFind albums by this artist as well as a brass section. The music is mostly laid back, beautifully crafted and arranged and typically British, which of course is to be expected. Thompson plays several superb saxophone and flute solos, and so do the other musicians, and the entire album although quite obscure, is definitely worth discovering. Lovers of European and particularly British Jazz will be delighted to see this gem available again!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STAN TRACEY ~ FROM STAN, WITH LOVE (WITH LOVE FROM JAZZ / WE LOVE YOU MADLY) RESTEAMED 115 (Barcode: 5060138617155) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of two seminal albums by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist: “With Love From JazzFind albums with this title” and “We Love You MadlyFind albums with this title”, coupled together as a 2CD set. The first album is a quartet recording with Tracey, saxophonist Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist (Lennie BushFind albums by this artist and Ronnie StephensonFind albums by this artist replace Green and Dougan on the last track) and presents eight original compositions by the leader. The second album was recorded by an eighteen-piece Big Band (called Big Brass), which included some of the top British Jazz musicians at the time, such as trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Kenny BakerFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, Don RendellFind albums by this artist, and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Acker BilkFind albums by this artist, Tracey on piano, Bush on bass and drummer Barry MorganFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to American pianist / composer / bandleader Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and presents six compositions by him, one by Billy StrayhornFind albums by this artist and one by Tracey, all also arranged by him. The first album was recorded October12 and 31, 1967 and the second August 20 and 21, 1968 and released a year later (respectively) on the EMI / ColumbiaFind albums on this label label. The first album is a wonderful example of Tracey’s quartet work, based on his idiosyncratic compositions, often truly romantic in nature, which defined his style characterized by his singular chord vamping. This was the last recording with Wellins, who was replaced on future albums by Peter KingFind albums by this artist. Tracey and Wellins has a telepathic communication between them and played like musical twins, which of course is audible here as well. The last track is a surprising excursion into African rhythms, which finds Tracey playing the vibraphone. The Big Band album is a complete different cup of tea, with Tracey showing off his genius as arranger / Big Band leader, which always were his undeniable passions in addition to his composing and playing the piano. His love and respect to Ellington the composer is plainly apparent and his arrangements are highly unusual, almost diametrically different from the original Ellington recordings, which of course is a brilliant lesson in the differences between the American and British / European approach to using the Big Band as a musical tool. The original composition closing the album is a proverbial cherry on top of course. Personally this is one of my most loved Tracey recordings, but hey I love them all of course. Overall, these are two absolute British Jazz treasures, and their absence from the record market was a travesty. We should be grateful to Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist (Stan’s son) for bringing them back to life on the family’s ReSteamedFind albums on this label label, hopefully seeing more of these gems getting the same treatment soon. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 18/08/2021Posted: 18/08/2021

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend