Record Reviews

SOLID GOLD CADILLAC ~ SOLID GOLD CADILLAC / BRAIN DAMAGE BGO 0471 (Barcode: 5017261204714) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 1999 This is a reissue of the only two albums released in the early 1970s by the short lived British Jazz-Rock ensemble Solid Gold CadillacFind albums by this artist, led by pianist / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist. The list of participating musicians reads like the Who´s Who of British Jazz / Jazz-Rock at the time: lead vocalist / trumpeter Phil MintonFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist George KhanFind albums by this artist, trombonist Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Dick MorecombeFind albums by this artist, Westbrook on electric piano and additional vocals, pianist Fiachra TrenchFind albums by this artist, bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist guests on two tracks on the eponymous debut album. Brian GoddingFind albums by this artist plays guitar and Butch PotterFind albums by this artist plays bass on the second album and Trench does not take part in it. The debut album offers eleven tracks and the second album offers ten tracks, almost all of which were composed by Westbrook. The music is a zany, eclectic collection of absolutely stupendous music, light years ahead of its time at the time of the recording. It moves between Pop, Rock, Jazz-Rock, Jazz and typical Westbrook cabaret / vaudeville creations, all superbly performed by this elite team of musicians. My recent review of Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist´s album "GraniteFind albums with this title" struck a "memory" chord and made me to come back to these two albums, which admittedly I have not listened to in decades. It is absolutely amazing how good this music sounds today, losing nothing of its freshness and ingenuity. The sense of humor and irony are already there, playing a major role in the overall scheme of things, going hand in hand with wonderful musicality and astounding versatility. Although Solid Gold Cadillac was only a small "sidestep" in Westbrook´s decades long career, in retrospect it proves again that he definitely is a man of the "golden touch", as far as music is concerned, and everything he created over time is able to defend its values over time. Although this reissue is long time out of print, it is definitely worth seeking out, not only for the Westbrook devotees, but for all British Jazz / Jazz-Rock collectors, who missed this jewel so far. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 16/08/2018Posted: 16/08/2018

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ LIVE 1972 HUX 151 (Barcode: 682970001517) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1972 Released: 2017 This is an expanded / remastered reissue of an album by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, recorded with his extremely short-lived quintet, which featured him on electric piano together with saxophonist / flautist George KhanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, bassist Butch PotterFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live and the original album was released in 1973 as “LiveFind albums with this title” on the legendary CadillacFind albums on this label label as a five-tracks LP. This new edition adds two previously unreleased performances, with all the music remastered by the lamented Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist at his Temple Music Studios. For people not familiar with the original album, this music is a true revelation from start to finish. All the music was composed by Westbrook and includes small ensemble versions of some of his orchestral compositions, like “Marching Song” and “Metropolis” and some Free Form improvised music, or Free Jazz Fusion if one prefers, rarely associated with Westbrook in general, and as such especially unique. Five of the tracks on this album are over ten minutes in duration, which emphasizes the improvisational character of the music herein. The album is also an important document of George Khan’s talents, which sadly have little exposure on the many albums he plays on, certainly not as a Free Form improviser featured here, which is breathtaking. Overall, this is a relatively little known episode in Westbrook’s extensive career, which together with the two albums recorded by the Solid Gold CadillacFind albums by this artist band documents his Jazz-Rock Fusion adventures in the early 1970s and is a fascinating glimpse into his past. For the many Westbrook followers and British Jazz enthusiasts, this is a Holy Grail, absolutely worthy of an honorable place in any serious record collection.

Updated: 21/01/2023Posted: 21/01/2023

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ LIVE 1972 (CADILLAC 50TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) CADILLAC 001 (Barcode: 5020675000421) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1972 Released: 2023 This is an expanded / remastered reissue of an album by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, recorded with his extremely short-lived quintet, which featured him on electric piano together with saxophonist / flautist George KhanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, bassist Butch PotterFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live and the original album was released on LP in 1973 as “LiveFind albums with this title” and presented only five-tracks. This new edition adds two previously unreleased performances, with all the music remastered by the lamented Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist at his Temple Music Studios. Although released previously in 2017 on the now defunct HUXFind albums on this label label, a copy of which is now impossible to find, this edition celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the legendary CadillacFind albums on this label label founded by John JackFind albums by this artist, as it was the first release on that label. It is absolutely delightful to see the British Jazz legacy being kept alive and the Cadillac label getting a second “life”. For people not familiar with the original album, this music is a true revelation from start to finish. All the music was composed by Westbrook and includes small ensemble versions of some of his orchestral compositions, like “Marching Song” and “Metropolis” and some Free Form improvised music, or Free Jazz Fusion if one prefers, rarely associated with Westbrook in general, and as such especially unique. Five of the tracks on this album are over ten minutes in duration, which emphasizes the improvisational character of the music herein. The album is also an important document of George Khan’s talents, which sadly have little exposure on the many albums he plays on, certainly not as a Free Form improviser featured here, which is breathtaking. Overall, this is a relatively little known episode in Westbrook’s extensive career, which together with the two albums recorded by the Solid Gold Cadillac band documents his Jazz-Rock Fusion adventures in the early 1970s and is a fascinating glimpse into his past. For the many Westbrook followers and British Jazz enthusiasts, this is a Holy Grail, absolutely worthy of an honorable place in any serious record collection.

Updated: 06/01/2024Posted: 06/01/2024

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend