Record Reviews

NEIL ARDLEY ~ A SYMPHONY OF AMARANTHS DUSK FIRE 107 (Barcode: 5065001032189) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2012 This is the criminally overdue reissue of the second album by British Jazz composer / arranger / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist, which also was the second part of his great trilogy, which started with "The Greek VariationsFind albums with this title" and was followed later by "Kaleidoscope Of RainbowsFind albums with this title". It is one of the great gems of the revolutionary British Jazz, which developed in the Golden Decade (1965-1975) and changed to face of music as we know it. Influenced by Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and Gil EvansFind albums by this artist, Ardley was the creator of the innovative Big Band / Orchestral sound, which was one of the magic ingredients of the new British Jazz at the time. Although based on the compositional ideas of Ellington and Evans, Ardley managed to push them way forward into an amalgam with contemporary European Classical music, early atmospheric / ambient music and other elements, creating unique orchestral soundscapes. As the musical director, resident arranger and conductor of the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. NJOFind albums by this artist), Ardley had at his disposal the crème de la crème of the British Jazz players, and quite naturally he used them to record his own projects as well. The list of the protagonists behind this recording is of truly epic proportions and includes such luminaries as trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, trombonist Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, Don RendellFind albums by this artist, Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist and Dave GellyFind albums by this artist (who also wrote the informative liner notes for this reissue), pianists Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist and Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The only one of its kind Ivor CutlerFind albums by this artist recites a famous nonsense poem and the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist sings Ardley´s music accompanying three classic poems, his first adventure with vocal music. Overall the album presents a wondrous splendor of musical ideas, marvelously executed by the musicians involved, creating together one of the most beautiful examples of creativity and intelligence, which were the chief ingredients of the music created by Ardley time and again. As an album, this is one of the very few examples of musical perfection, which set the standards for all the others. It is in every respect as perfect today as it was at the time of its recording. A curious point about this album is the fact that this was the first ever recording to be funded by a grant from the Art Council, which supported a plentitude of great musical projects in the years to come. The album was produced by the legendary Denis Preston, who was in charge of recording a myriad of brilliant early British Jazz albums and without whom the this great music might have never been captured for posterity. The reissue is brilliantly remastered and sounds absolutely spectacular. This is an unconditional, absolute essential piece of music!

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

NEIL ARDLEY ~ MIKE TAYLOR REMEMBERED DUSK FIRE 103 (Barcode: 5065001032011) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2007 The short and tragic life of pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist, an eccentric genius fallen victim to mental illness / drug abuse, which proved self-destructive and led to his death at the age of 29, is surely worthy a script adaptation for a Martin ScorseseFind albums by this artist movie. Sometimes referred to as “the Syd BarrettFind albums by this artist of British Jazz”, Taylor had close ties with a relatively small group of musicians, like Graham BondFind albums by this artist and the members of his Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, which included Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist – soon to be founders of CreamFind albums by this artist. Many people will be surprised to learn that three songs co-written by Ginger and Mike appear on Cream’s Wheels Of FireFind albums with this title album (“Pressed Rat And Warthog”, “Those Were The Days” and “Passing The Time”). Another one of his superb songs – “Jumping Off The Sun” – was recorded by ColosseumFind albums by this artist and appears on several of their albums. Although known intimately by very few people at the time, the legend lives on and periodically the flame of interest is rekindled among the modern British Jazz fans, like in the case of reissue of his only two existing recordings: PendulumFind albums with this title and TrioFind albums with this title. Even fewer people are aware of the spectacular tribute album recorded by Taylor’s musician friends three years after his death. Recorded under the musical direction of another British Jazz legendary figure, composer / arranger / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist, who discovered Taylor’s genius immediately and scored some of his compositions for the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist when Taylor was still alive. Unfortunately the concert, which was to feature NJO and Mike’s trio never materialized, since Taylor (already very ill at the time) simply missed the gig. Nevertheless Ardley continued to use Taylor’s music as part of the regular NJO repertoire and suggested to Denis PrestonFind albums by this artist, owner of the legendary Lansdowne Studios in London, where most of the pivotal modern British Jazz was recorded, to produce a tribute album to Mike Taylor’s musical genius. Preston, who recorded the two Taylor albums, needed no persuasion and funded the complex and costly project with no hesitation, considering it a most appropriate gesture. Ardley assembled a group of 20 musicians to record this project, sharing the scoring of the music for a large ensemble with others, who were close to Taylor and new him well, like Howard RileyFind albums by this artist, Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist and Dave GellyFind albums by this artist. One of the tracks is based on a previously unreleased Taylor quartet recording, with the ensemble overdubbed on top of the original recording, which makes Taylor’s participation in this project almost “in person” as well as “in spirit”. The list of the participating musicians reads like the who’s who of modern British Jazz and includes among others: Ian CarrFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and David HorlerFind albums by this artist on trombone, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Peter LemerFind albums by this artist and Alan BranscombeFind albums by this artist on piano, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist on bass, Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist on drums and of course the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist on vocals. I can’t think of a more appropriate tribute than this one, full of love, dedication and music genius by all the people involved. Considering the fact that this album combines the genius of Taylor’s Jazz composition with the genius of Ardley’s Jazz scoring / arranging, we get (in mathematical terms) a genius squared result – a rare event indeed. Recommending this album would be somewhat similar to recommending someone to read some Joyce or see a van Gogh – completely superfluous. I’m sure you get the drift by now!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

GORDON BECK ~ ONCE IS NEVER ENOUGH FMR 028 (Barcode: 786497264025) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1996 Released: 1996 Pianist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist is one of the icons of the modern British Jazz and his immense contribution to the scene is invaluable. He first came to prominence as a member of the legendary saxophonist Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist quintet and soon after formed his own trio, which was one of the most important ensembles at the time, which recorded some incredibly beautiful albums. Over the years Beck proved to be extremely prolific, recording tens of albums as leader and sidemen and hundreds as a studio musician. A hopeless romantic at heart, his incredibly melodic and lyrical compositions and extraordinary fluency as a player make him one of the finest European Jazz musician. Alongside Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist he is my favorite British piano player and a source of musical joy for over 40 years now. This, one of his latest albums (recorded when Beck was 61 years old!), recorded with two superb British Jazz veterans saxophonist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist and bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist with a young drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist, presents him still at the top of his powers both as a composer and a player. He composed four of the seven tunes on this album with Sultzmann contributing the other three. The music is an incredible example of contemporary Jazz, melodic and beautifully structured, but at the same time full of zest, adventure and sophistication. Those listeners, who are familiar with Beck’s output, will find this a worthy addition to his superb body of work. Those who don’t know him might find this album as a gate into an incredible word of high Art of Jazz. Wholeheartedly recommended!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

HARRY BECKETT ~ FLARE UP JAZZPRINT 124 (Barcode: 604388600526) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2002 Trumpeter / composer Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist was one of the pillars of the British Jazz in the 1960s / 1970s. His beautiful tone and exceptional improvising qualities made his one of the busiest player on the scene. He was a member of some of the most important ensembles of the period, led by distinguished musicians like Graham CollierFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Ray RussellFind albums by this artist and many others, and also led his own quartet. The plans to make his debut album as a leader with his own quartet somehow never materialized, but instead he formed an octet for the occasion, which included the young “lions” of the scene: John Surman, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist on vibes, John TaylorFind albums by this artist on piano, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass and John WebbFind albums by this artist on drums – an absolute dreamy collection of players. In addition to his compositions, the band also performs three of Graham Collier’s beautiful tunes and one Surman classic. The result is absolutely sensational, a true classic of the period and a must for every fan of British Jazz of the era. Not to be missed!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

HARRY BECKETT ~ WARM SMILES / THEMES FOR FEGA VOCALION 8430 (Barcode: 765387843021) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2006 Trumpeter / composer Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist has been a prominent figure on the British Jazz scene for five decades. Born in Barbados, he arrived on London in the early 1950s and soon became an integral part of the burgeoning community. Beckett was one of several musicians who arrived in London from the West Indies and left a most significant mark on the local scene, like saxophonist Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, flautist Harold McNairFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist. Over the years Beckett was a member of many front-line groups, participated in countless recording sessions and appeared and numerous albums, many of which are considered absolute classics today. This album presents his second and third albums as a leader, recorded a year apart and with almost identical personnel. On Warm SmilesFind albums with this title he leads a sextet with Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist – sax, Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist – vibes and percussion, John TaylorFind albums by this artist – piano, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist – bass and John WebbFind albums by this artist – drums. On Themes For FegaFind albums with this title the group is expanded to a septet with the addition of Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist – sax. Beckett composed all the music on both albums and they are a prime example of the glorious British Jazz of the period. Beckett’s virtuosity and incredibly warm and clear sound is beautifully complimented by his colleague’s contributions. Definitely a most worthwhile addition to any Jazz collection and a must for lovers of British Jazz form the 1970s.

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CHITINOUS ENSEMBLE ~ CHITINOUS VOCALION 8405 (Barcode: 765387840525) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2005 This strange and beautiful album would have never been released at the time if not for the openness of the DeramFind albums on this label label to issue even the most eccentric material, as long as it had musical merit. The Chitinous EnsembleFind albums by this artist was as fictitious as they come, so named by cellist / composer / arranger Paul BuckmasterFind albums by this artist, who assembled the musicians to perform an ambitious piece of orchestral music he composed. Buckmaster was a gifted and accomplished musician, who was in great demand in UK as arranger and composer, working with top Rock stars like Elton JohnFind albums by this artist, the Bee GeesFind albums by this artist (see OdessaFind albums with this title) and even the Rolling StonesFind albums by this artist (see Sticky FingersFind albums with this title). He also composed numerous film scores, including the amazing soundtrack for Roman PolanskiFind albums by this artist’s MacbethFind albums with this title, where he cooperated with the Third Ear BandFind albums by this artist. The ensemble Buckmaster assembled to perform this complex extended composition includes a large string section and a large deployment of his Jazz buddies, all top British Jazz players like Ian CarrFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass, John MarshallFind albums by this artist on drums and many more. The music is a mixture of classical influences with Jazz-Rock rhythmic patterns and modern sound vistas, all combined together into a wonderful sonic experience. It sounds absolutely great today as if time only enhanced the intrinsic beauty included therein. Wholeheartedly recommended for more adventurous listeners.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

TONY COE ~ THE BUDS OF TIME JAZZ IN BRITAIN 70 (Barcode: 5060774190852) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1979 - 1980 Released: 2025 This is an archival album by one of the less prominent British Jazz musicians / composers, Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, which is a very important addition to his heritage. It presents the “The Buds Of Time” suite, performed by the Tony Coe Chamber EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which comprised of a Jazz septet and a string quartet. Besides Coe, who played clarinet and soprano saxophone, the septet also included clarinetist Anthony PayFind albums by this artist, bass trombonist Geoff PerkinsFind albums by this artist, percussionist Gary KettelFind albums by this artist, pianist Chris NortonFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and pianist / conductor Robert CornfordFind albums by this artist. The suite is presented in two different versions, with a slightly different lineup and orchestration. The album includes also two additional compositions for trio (clarinet / piano / bass), one by Coe and one co-composed with Cornford. The music is absolutely sensational, a perfect amalgam of modern and at times even Free Jazz, with contemporary Classical Music, which combines melodic passages and improvised parts in a continuous flow, which is simply delightful and aesthetically perfect. The sound quality is absolutely spotless, which for this delicate music is critical. In short this is another sublime find and release by the Jazz In Britain label and the people behind it. This album is a perfect companion to the album “ZeitgeistFind albums with this title”, which Coe recorded a couple of years earlier and which was the first of several orchestral works he composed in the years that followed, most of them never recorded or released (a gentle nod), which are all very interesting as well. Overall, this is a sensational discovery of material that was previously never released, which reveals to great talent of Coe as composer of highly sophisticated music, which sadly remains mostly completely unknown even to dedicated British Jazz enthusiasts. An absolute must!

Updated: 09/04/2025Posted: 09/04/2025

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

CHRIS LAURENCE ~ KEN WHEELER: SOME GNU ONES JAZZ IN BRITAIN 29 (Barcode: 5060774190296) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2020 - 2021 Released: 2021 This is a wonderful EP album by British Jazz bassist / composer Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist, which presents three pieces composed by the iconic British (of Canadian origin) trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist specifically for Laurence. Two of the pieces were given to Laurence in manuscript form, one of them in incomplete form, which was finalized especially for this recording by Pete ChurchillFind albums by this artist. One of the pieces (“C-Man”) was recorded on the legendary 1992 “KayakFind albums with this title” album by Wheeler, featuring Laurence on bass. The music was beautifully recorded by a superb team, which includes, alongside Laurence, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Tom WalshFind albums by this artist and a string quintet. The music is everything one could expect from Wheeler’s compositions, a dreamy, lyrical and superbly melodic Jazz, which is completely timeless and eternal. The superb recording quality and the performances by the participating musicians are nothing short of heavenly. Overall, this is a true “two birds with one stone”: Wheeler’s sublime music and the playing of Laurence, who has for so long been an unheralded hero of the British Jazz scene, a highly sensitive and totally reliable musician. Despite the less than half an hour time mark, this is an immediate classic recording, which deserves an honorable place in every decent British Jazz collection. Again well done by the small crew of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label.

Updated: 12/12/2021Posted: 12/12/2021

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

CHRIS LAURENCE ~ NEW VIEW BASHO 18 (Barcode: 832929001826) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006 Bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist has been one of the great "silent" heroes of the British Jazz scene for decades, providing his exquisitely solid, yet delicate and always sophisticated bass lines to countless Jazz albums, including many of the pivotal recordings of the late 1960s / early 1970s, which revolutionized European Jazz and emancipated it for the overwhelming stylistic and conceptual US supremacy. But his genius is also recognized and respected beyond the Jazz field, and he has an active career both as a Classical player and studio musician in the Pop / Rock world, where he contributed his talent playing behind some of the biggest names in the music business. And yet, for all these years, Laurence never recorded as a leader, something that has been finally remedied by this superb release. For this session he opted for an intimate setting of a piano-less quartet, which includes yet another "silent" hero and a veteran of the British Jazz scene – vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, who also participated in countless pivotal recordings, sometimes alongside Laurence. Sadly both Laurence and Ricotti have never really received the proper recognition for the enormous contribution they both made to the British Jazz, with books and on-line sources mentioning them mostly in-passing. Hopefully this will be remedied sometime in the near feature (and before obituaries need to be written). But back to the music; Ricotti´s vibraphone is the ideal companion to Laurence´s bass playing and sets the tone to the laid-back, delicate and slightly melancholic atmosphere that underlines this album´s overall feel. The two other members of the quartet are no strangers, as they have recorded with Laurence before, both being representatives of the second generation of British Jazz heroes: guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist. Parricelli plays both electric and acoustic guitars and his playing on this album is actually the best I´ve heard so far, even superior to the performances on his solo recordings. His licks ornament the music, using just the precise amount of notes needed, leaving flashy excursions aside, which is exactly what is appropriate here. France does a splendid job keeping everything together rhythmically; again exactly what a great drummer needs to do first and foremost. It goes beyond saying that Laurence´s bass lines are a delight from start to finish, which is only to be expected and Ricotti´s vibraphone performance matches the (unfortunately very few) Masters of that beautiful instrument. The music chosen comes from the songbooks of great British Jazz composers, with whom Laurence recorded in the past, like Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist and John TaylorFind albums by this artist. Fellow US musicans – Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and Andy LaverneFind albums by this artist - also get their share and even one Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist tune is included (Joni´s close ties with the Jazz world are obvious). If all this is not enough, there is also a cherry on top of the proverbial cake: the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist adds her sublime (as usual) vocals to a couple of the tunes, another gesture of gratitude for the sake of old times. So, please, buy this album and by doing so you will not only get some superb music, but you will pay some long-overdue tribute to this man´s talents and his life-long dedication to the music we love!

Updated: 30/05/2025Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

LONDON TROMBONE QUARTET ~ SOME OF OUR BEST FRIENDS ASC 011 (Barcode: 5029716000239) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is the only album by the British Jazz ensemble called London Trombone QuartetFind albums by this artist, which consisted of four trombonists: Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, Richard EdwardsFind albums by this artist, Mark NightingaleFind albums by this artist and Dave StewartFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with some top British Jazz musicians active at the time: pianists Pete SabertonFind albums by this artist, John HorlerFind albums by this artist and Dave ArchFind albums by this artist, bassists Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist, Geraint RobertsFind albums by this artist and Laurence CottleFind albums by this artist, drummers Ian ThomasFind albums by this artist and Dave BryantFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, Pete HurtFind albums by this artist, Andy MacintoshFind albums by this artist, Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Dave O`HigginsFind albums by this artist, guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist, percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Gerard PresencerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions by Beachill (3), Sultzmann (2), and one each by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Arch, Nightingale, Colin TownsFind albums by this artist, Dick WalterFind albums by this artist and Saberton. Although Wheeler did not play on this album, one of his tunes was recorded. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is a marvelous example of modern British Jazz, based on excellent original compositions and performed by the crème de la crème of British Jazz musicians active in the 1990s. The trombone quartet was quite a unique ensemble of course and they offered very unique arrangements featuring the trombone at the focus, proving the possibilities of the instrument in the hands of great musicians. Overall, this is an excellent British Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for to discover the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 06/04/2023Posted: 06/04/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN MILLER ~ WHATEVER NEXT? INVERSION 001 (Barcode: 5070000076706) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is the debut album by British Jazz keyboardist / composer Brian MillerFind albums by this artist, recorded with top British instrumentalists: saxophonist Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist, bassists Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist / Trevor BarryFind albums by this artist and drummers Paul RobinsonFind albums by this artist / Les CirkelFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all of which are original compositions by Miller. It took Miller over fifty years to recorded this debut album, although he is a true veteran of the British Jazz scene, having been a member of such ensembles as IsotopeFind albums by this artist, Turning PointFind albums by this artist and Morrissey-Mullen BandFind albums by this artist, as well as accompanying top Pop artists. Well, better late than never is definitely appropriate in this case, as the album is a lovely example of British Jazz at its best, based on absolutely marvelous tunes and executed perfectly by this superb team. Miller plays some lively organ and piano parts, Parricelli adds tasty guitar licks, Ricotti adds vibes and percussion seasoning, Todd solos passionately and both bass / drums pair support the music admirably – in short joy from start to finish, on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, but full of good taste and musicality. Overall, although completely obscure among the British Jazz fans, this is a lovely album, which deserves to be heard and taken out of its anonymity. I am sure Brian has some copies left so please contact him and get one as long as they last. And please, Brian, make another one ASAP!

Updated: 16/02/2024Posted: 16/02/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA / NEIL ARDLEY GROUP ~ BBC SESSIONS 1968-1970 RHYTHM AND BLUES 101 (Barcode: 5060331753834) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2024 This is an archival album, which presents recordings by two Orchestral Jazz ensembles, both led by the brilliant pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, six by the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. NJOFind albums by this artist), recorded in 1968 and eight by the Neil Ardley GroupFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970. Five of the NJO tracks appear in a studio version on their 2nd studio album “Le Dejeuner Sur L`herbeFind albums with this title”. The first seven of the Neil Ardley Group tracks, which were composed by pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist and are a song cycle / Jazz & Poetry suite, were sadly never recorded in the studio and released on an album. Taylor tragically died just a few months before this music was recorded. The lineup of these two ensembles reads like a Who’s Who of the British Jazz at the end of the 1960s, some still very young at the time, but already experienced musicians, who were going to shape the British Jazz scene in the decades to come. The NJO lineup includes Ardley as the leader / conductor, trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dave GellyFind albums by this artist, Jim PhilipFind albums by this artist, Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist and Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, Robin GardnerFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, tuba player George SmithFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The Neil Ardley Group lineup includes Ardley on piano, vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, Carr, Gelly, Thompson, Ricotti, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Mike TravisFind albums by this artist. I rest my case… The music, as expected, is absolutely sensational and reflects the vibrancy and ingenuity of the British Jazz scene at this pivotal period, when the modern British Jazz idiom was molded for decades to come. The specific idiosyncrasies and “Britishness” of the new epoch is simply encapsulated in every note played here. It is also a superb display of the individual talents of these magnificent musicians, those who are still with us and sadly those who departed, like Thompson and Hiseman, who met as members of the NJO and created one of the British Jazz “power couples” or Ardley and Carr, whose giant talents are deeply missed. Overall, this is an absolute must have album for every British Jazz collector, especially in view of the fact that some of the music captured herein is not available anywhere else. For the cognoscenti, the album offers endless hints and interconnections, like a sensational version of the song “Jumping Off The Sun”, which became an anthem for the legendary ColosseumFind albums by this artist, which was founded by Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith, and included Reeves and Thompson, and so on…

Updated: 22/09/2024Posted: 21/09/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DAVE SAUL ~ REVERENCE ASC 034 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is the only album by British Jazz pianist / composer Dave SaulFind albums by this artist, who died in 2013. The album was recorded in a quintet setting with trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Stuart LaurenceFind albums by this artist (Chris’ son). The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. Released over twenty-three years ago, this album it is not very easy to find. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is absolutely marvelous from start to finish, a little British Jazz gem, which deserves to be heard by all British Jazz enthusiasts. Saul was always around playing often with the best musicians, but never achieved enough recognition or had opportunity to record, except for this album. His compositions are beautifully melodic and offer a superb vehicle for this quintet to fly sky-high. Wheeler and Sulzmann offer superb soloing and the rhythm section is always there right on the money. Saul, always a bit bashful and introvert, solos sparingly but his piano playing is wonderfully intertwined within the music at all times. The music has that British Jazz “twang”, that I love so much, and which is immediately recognizable. Overall, this is an excellent British Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for, not only for the great contributions by Kenny Wheeler, but no less importantly for the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team. It is an essential fragment in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 31/03/2023Posted: 31/03/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SHEPPARD ~ DANCING MAN & WOMAN PROVOCATEUR 1020 (Barcode: 5038491102021) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1999 Released: 2000 British saxophonist / composer Andy SheppardFind albums by this artist needs no introduction to followers of British Jazz. He earned an impressive reputation since the late 1970s, playing in many famous ensembles both in Britain and abroad, like the ones led by George RussellFind albums by this artist, Gil EvansFind albums by this artist and Carla BleyFind albums by this artist. His extensive discography recorded over the years proves his status as one of Britain’s foremost instrumentalists beyond a shadow of a doubt. Sheppard has a rare talent of combining beautiful melodies and expanded improvisation is a way that makes his music accessible to a relatively large audience on one hand, but remains intellectually challenging on the other. He is also extremely versatile and open-minded, always ready to combine in his music the Jazz tradition with other elements like World Music, electronics and even club culture. In 1998 Sheppard joined the roster of the prestigious British ProvocateurFind albums on this label Records label, and released a series of landmark recordings on that label in the following years. For his debut recording on Provocateur (“Learning To WaveFind albums with this title”), Sheppard formed a quintet which included some of his faithful cohorts from the past, as well as new players: John ParricelliFind albums by this artist – guitar, Steve LodderFind albums by this artist – keyboards, veteran bass player Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and percussionist Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. On this album, the follow-up release, the quintet is expanded to a septet with the addition of the legendary US electric bass player Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and young tabla player Kuljit BhamraFind albums by this artist. Sheppard composed all the music, which is mostly low-key and lyrical, beautifully melodic and sometimes even sentimental (in a positive way of course). His soprano saxophone lures the listener like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, being extremely addictive. All together this is a most pleasant journey into the lighter side of Jazz, without any compromise on quality. Recommended to listeners who love a great melody with their Jazz meal.

CD 1 HDCD Recommend To A Friend

ANDY SHEPPARD ~ LEARNING TO WAVE PROVOCATEUR 1016 (Barcode: 5019148619413) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1998 British saxophonist / composer Andy SheppardFind albums by this artist needs no introduction to followers of British Jazz. He earned an impressive reputation since the late 1970s, playing in many famous ensembles both in Britain and abroad, like the ones led by George RussellFind albums by this artist, Gil EvansFind albums by this artist and Carla BleyFind albums by this artist. His extensive discography recorded over the years proves his status as one of Britain’s foremost instrumentalists beyond a shadow of a doubt. Sheppard has a rare talent of combining beautiful melodies and expanded improvisation is a way that makes his music accessible to a relatively large audience on one hand, but remains intellectually challenging on the other. He is also extremely versatile and open-minded, always ready to combine in his music the Jazz tradition with other elements like World Music, electronics and even club culture. In 1998 Sheppard joined the roster of the prestigious British ProvocateurFind albums on this label Records label, and released a series of landmark recordings on that label in the following years. For this, his debut recording on Provocateur, Sheppard formed a quintet which included some of his faithful cohorts from the past, as well as new players: John ParricelliFind albums by this artist – guitar, Steve LodderFind albums by this artist – keyboards, veteran bass player Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and percussionist Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. Tabla player Shalda SahaiFind albums by this artist is added on three tracks. Sheppard composed all the music, which is mostly low-key and lyrical, beautifully melodic and sometimes even sentimental (in a positive way of course). His soprano saxophone lures the listener like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, being extremely addictive. All together this is a most pleasant journey into the lighter side of Jazz, without any compromise on quality. Recommended to listeners who love a great melody with their Jazz meal.

CD 1 HDCD Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ A SUPREME LOVE CONFRONT 33 (Barcode: 5060446128084) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 - 2019 Released: 2023 This is a colossal career-spanning archival 6CD Box Set by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, which presents recordings between 1961 and 2019, documenting almost six decades of music making by one of British Jazz most prominent figures. Although most of the music was played by ensembles led by Skidmore, it also includes his work with Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist´s Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist, S.O.S.Find albums by this artist and S.O.H.Find albums by this artist trios, UbizoFind albums by this artist, Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist and even Weather ReportFind albums by this artist. Most of the music was composed by Skidmore, but, as the title suggests, a significant portion of it was composed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, with Skidmore admitting to being his devoted disciple. A vast majority of the 46 tracks included in this Box Set are previously unissued. Over the years Skidmore played with the absolute crème de la crème of the modern British Jazz musicians, including John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as many pioneering European and American Jazz musicians. The music is presented chronologically and beautifully illustrates the gradual metamorphosis of Skidmore from Blues and mainstream Jazz player towards more adventurous areas towards the exploration of Free and Avant-Garde Jazz, which occurred by the end of the 1960s. The last two CDs are dedicated to the exploration of the music of John Coltrane, including a live performance at the legendary Café OTO from 2019 on CD6. The music is of course brilliant from start to finish, and the release of this Box Set is a truly festive occasion to hear so much music previously hidden from the public ear, all of which is essential to every true British Jazz fan around the globe. The level of the performances is stellar of course, with Skidmore displaying his amazing technique and passion, which obviously are old news for any British Jazz follower, but appear herein in their full might and splendor. Thank God for the depth of Skidmore’s private archives, which made this Box Set possible, and perhaps those might be reexamined in order to find more of such treasures? Of course thanks to Mark WastellFind albums by this artist, the owner of ConfrontFind albums on this label Recordings, for making this dream come true. Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of British Jazz history, with hours upon hours of brilliant music, which sees the light of day for the first time. It presents the development of the British / European Jazz scene from the perspective of just one of its many heroes, but considering the incredible gathering of musicians who play on these tracks, it becomes way more than just a story of one man, as important as he might be thanks to his own achievements, constituting in fact a reflection of an Era.

Updated: 01/10/2024Posted: 21/06/2023

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ TCB VOCALION 8481 (Barcode: 765387848125) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2011 This is the 2nd album by British saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, one the pillars of modern British Jazz, who was a prominent figure on the late 1960s / 1970s Jazz scene, contributing some of the greatest moments of that illustrious era. Skidmore´s input over the years is absolutely invaluable and fortunately he is one of the musicians from that period, who still plays today, as brilliantly as always. The album also captures Skidmore´s 2nd quintet, with trombonist Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist (the only common link with the 1st quintet), bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. On four of the seven tracks of this album the quintet is expanded into a septet with the addition of two superb saxophonists: Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and John SurmanFind albums by this artist. Of the seven compositions Skidmore contributed only one, two are by Surman, two others are by the great John WarrenFind albums by this artist, another one is by Osborne and the last one is by Taylor. The music is typical of the time, brilliant modern Jazz, revolutionary in concept, brilliantly performed by these Master musicians. Over 40 years since this music was recorded and it still sounds absolutely stunning and honestly Jazz did not move forward significantly since then. An absolute must to all British Jazz connoisseurs and modern Jazz enthusiast!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STAN SULZMANN ~ ON LOAN WITH GRATITUDE JAZZ IN BRITAIN 48 (Barcode: 5060774190500) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1974 - 1977 Released: 2023 This is an expanded and long overdue reissue / remaster of the debut album as a leader by British Jazz saxophonist / flautist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with keyboardist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. Bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist appears on one track. The album was originally released on the MosaicFind albums on this label label, owned by Graham CollierFind albums by this artist and presented just three tracks, one of which was a three-part suite. Sadly, the studio tapes were lost and the music was transferred from a vinyl copy. This expanded 2CD edition adds no less than eight bonus tracks, recorded before the album recording and taken from tape archives, which include early versions of two of the tracks on the album, including the suite. All the music was composed by Sulzmann. The music, to which I have often returned to over the years, is absolutely sensational, as expected. Sultzmann and his cohorts were among the finest British Jazz players / composers of the period and by the mid-1970s were all at their full capacity, producing brilliant, vibrant and highly original music, probably the best British Jazz ever. The Mosaic label was one of the first independent / musician-owned British Jazz labels and offered an opportunity to release original music by other musicians, in addition to presenting the music by its owner. Sadly, several of the albums released at the time, remain still unreleased on CD to this very day, waiting for the good people of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label to follow the example set by this wonderful reissue. In addition to the brilliant performances (and compositions of course) by the leader, the album also features extensive contributions by the great and sadly departed John Taylor, whose performances herein are absolutely delightful, and for his many followers this album is an essential addition to his splendid legacy. The Mathewson / Levin rhythm section is also a great reminder of their contribution to the British Jazz scene, each in his very own way, and both also sadly not with us anymore, and a tribute to their memory. Overall, this is another “straight between the eyes” class of release, overdue but not forgotten gem, which now can now be discovered by new generations or all those less fortunate British Jazz lovers, who don’t own the original vinyl release. Just keep them coming you archive magicians!

Updated: 10/09/2023Posted: 10/09/2023

CD 2 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

JOHN SURMAN ~ CORUSCATING ECM 1702 (Barcode: 731454303323) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1999 Released: 2000 This is a breathtakingly beautiful and divine album by British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, who again proves being one of the central figures in contemporary music worldwide. Accompanied only by the brilliant veteran British bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and a string quartet, Surman explores this time the realms of chamber Jazz, integrating the string quartet arrangements and individual string parts into his music with amazing skill and ingenuity. The eleven new compositions presented here are brilliant from start to finish, as always, presenting yet another vista of his amazing talent and versatility. There is no point in going much further here, as anybody familiar with Surman´s prolific body of work needs no convincing; those who don´t, well it´s never too late, is it? Surman recorded another album with these same musicians seven years later ("The Spaces In BetweenFind albums with this title").

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

JOHN SURMAN ~ MORNING GLORY FMR 013 (Barcode: 649849982179) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 1995 In complete contrast to the first stage of British saxophonist John SurmanFind albums by this artist’s career, which lasted for about four years (between 1968 and 1971) and was characterized by almost obsessive recording and touring, he decided to “hold his horses” from that point on and record a limited number of albums each year – a modus operandi he adheres to consistently to this very day. 1972 saw the release of just one Surman album, the revolutionary Westering HomeFind albums with this title - a complete solo project. Similarly, 1973 brought us just one Surman album entitled “Morning Glory”, which was also the (collective) name of the group that recorded the album. Consisting of the top players on the British scene it included Surman on soprano saxophone and bass clarinet (note the fact that he does not play here his primary instrument – the baritone saxophone) with Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist on trombone, Norwegian guitarist Terje RypdalFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist on acoustic and electric piano, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass and John MarshallFind albums by this artist on drums. Musically the album is quite surprising, as it marks Surman’s first venture into the field of Jazz-Rock Fusion (under his flag that is). Although the structure of the music is still very free form and the solos tend to float into free improvisational spheres, the guitar, electric piano and the rhythmic patterns are close to Fusion (which was at the peak of its development at the time). One might call this Free-Fusion, but of course labeling this magnificent music is completely senseless. Surman’s solos are, as usual, brilliant but all the musicians contribute more that a fair share to the album’s overall mastery. Originally released on IslandFind albums on this label, the album was unavailable for many years and having it back in circulation is a marvel. Of course it is an absolute must have for every follower of the British Saxophone Colossus and fan of modern British Jazz. Highly recommended!

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOHN SURMAN ~ STRANGER THAN FICTION ECM 1534 (Barcode: 731452185020) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1994 This absolutely brilliant album by British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist is very special as it was recorded by an all-British quartet, which consists of legendary players associated with the British Jazz revolution of the 1960s / 1970s, when they all used to play together. Surman is surrounded by true friends: pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist, and this sympathetic personal vibes obviously influence the musicians, who play their hearts out. Of the eight compositions sic are by Surman and the other two are co-composed by the entire quartet. Although recorded some twenty years after the British Jazz was at its absolute creative peak, this album is still a great evidence of the potential and aptitude of the scene. Of course by now there are many young and extremely talented British musicians around, but these old-timers not only have no intention of leaving us, hopefully any time soon, but still can play like nobody else. Brilliant stuff!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOHN SURMAN ~ THE SPACES IN BETWEEN ECM 1956 (Barcode: 602517235861) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 This is a breathtakingly beautiful and divine album by British saxophonist / composer John SurmanFind albums by this artist, who again proves being one of the central figures in contemporary music worldwide. Accompanied only by the brilliant veteran British bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and a string quartet, Surman explores this time the realms of chamber Jazz, integrating the string quartet arrangements and individual string parts into his music with amazing skill and ingenuity. The eleven new compositions presented here are brilliant from start to finish, as always, presenting yet another vista of his amazing talent and versatility. There is no point in going much further here, as anybody familiar with Surman´s prolific body of work needs no convincing; those who don´t, well it´s never too late, is it?

CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR ~ DECIPHER MPS 4029759124252 (Barcode: 4029759124252) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2017 This is a reissue (first time on CD) of the second album by iconic British Jazz pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist and his only album released on the MPSFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded in a classic piano trio setting with bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist (misspelled Lawrence on the albums artwork, which happened often) and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by Taylor. The album is a continuation of Taylor´s music recorded on his debut album "Pause, And Think Again", recorded a couple of years earlier, but the intimate trio format, as opposed to the larger ensemble with brass players featured on the debut, allows him to focus primarily on presenting his skills as a composer and pianist. The music is a phenomenal display of modern British / European Jazz which combines the Jazz tradition with modernism and European tradition, which flourished tremendously at the time this music was recorded. The amalgam of melodic themes with complex improvisation reaches here an artistic apogee, present only on the absolute top recordings of the period. Laurence and Levin, who also played on the debut album, are ideal partners in this endeavor. Although both still young at the time, they were an integral part of the burgeoning British Jazz scene and their contributions to the development of the genre are immeasurable. The ability to keep time and at the same time allow for time fluctuations and rhythmic irregularity, always back to straight time like clockwork, is absolutely exceptional. In retrospect this album epitomizes the role of the piano trio in modern European Jazz and is absolutely as valid and precious today as it was at the time of its recording. It is a completely essential piece of history and a milestone statement, which should be cherished and remembered. The fact that it is available again is a major reason to celebrate by Jazz connoisseurs of all ages. It is hard to imagine any serious British Jazz collection without this gem! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 28/05/2018Posted: 23/02/2018

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR ~ PAUSE, AND THINK AGAIN FMR 024 (Barcode: 786497181421) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1995 British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist was an integral part of the British modern Jazz revolution in the late 1960s / 1970s and continues to be a dominant figure on the British scene to this day. He was a member of the John SurmanFind albums by this artist’s group and his immense contributions to Surman’s early recordings earned him respect and admiration among his peers and music lovers. He was also a member of Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist’s group and appears on the first 3 albums Beckett recorded as well as on early albums by Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, German guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and many more. Taylor’s brilliant technique and wonderful feel for modern Jazz make him an model for a modern Jazz hero and his incredible work over the years firmly confirms the high hopes he promised during the early days of his career. This album is Taylor’s debut recording as a leader and focuses on his abilities as a composer. Produced by Surman, it was originally released on the legendary TurtleFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded by a sextet, which includes Taylor on piano with Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist on trombone, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist on alto saxophone, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist on drums. Surman guests on soprano saxophone as does the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, who contributes one vocal track with her lyrics. The music, all written by Taylor, is absolutely amazing. Not only in its melodic and rhythmic structures, but also being amazingly diverse stylistically. Although there are five tracks on the album, two of them are in fact “double treats”, combining two different compositions, resulting in seven original compositions written for this album. Taylor cleverly uses the entire palette of modern Jazz, with the composition ranging is style from serenely melodic to frantically and freely improvised. Of the seven compositions, only one is a piano trio and the rest all feature one of the musicians as a soloist. Surman is featured on the free style piece and his solo there ranks amongst his finest ever. Winstone, as usual, adds her magical siren’s mysticism on the tune that closes the album. Of all the British modern Jazz albums recorded at the time, this one is perhaps the most “perfect” one, encompassing and representing the period and the music it created. All the elements of this enchanting music just come together here in a most sensitive way making the total rise above the sum of the ingredients. Not only do all the musicians play perfectly and the music is impeccable, but also the spirit of adventure and the drive to discovery are omnipresent. I can’t even begin to emphasize how important this album is and how vital it is for every modern Jazz enthusiast to savor and cherish. Beyond essential!

Updated: 20/05/2016Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR SEXTET ~ FRAGMENT JAZZ IN BRITAIN 32 (Barcode: 5060774190326) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2022 This is a reissue / remaster of the album recorded by the British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist and his sextet, which also included trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. The album was originally released on cassette only on the legendary JaguarFind albums on this label label, owned by pianist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is a superb example of the iconoclastic British Jazz, which reached its peak in the mid-1970s after several years of dramatic development, which characterized the scene since the late 1960s. The British Jazz managed to crystalize its very own sound and feel, which was instantly recognizable, even though it encompassed an astonishing variety of musical styles, ranging from almost mainstream / melody based Jazz to extreme Avant Garde. Of course those individuals / ensembles, which knew how to embrace both the charm of a beautiful melody and the powerful expressiveness of complex improvisation, like the sextet present on this recording, were the most effective. The six individuals playing here were all top British Jazz Artists at the time, each with his own rich legacy already in place by the time this music was recorded. It was an “all stars” ensemble by any standard, but of course there was nothing extraordinary about it, as almost every other ensemble on the scene at the time could be also acknowledged as an “all stars” gathering, since the scene was literally exploding with talent and activity. Over the years John Taylor created an immense body of Jazz compositions and an extensive recorded legacy, which reflect his sublime ability to weave an intricate, yet romantic melody. His life-long cooperation with Wheeler, widely documented on record, was one of the most fruitful Jazz engines in retrospect, but no Taylor discography could be complete without this particular album, which for so many years remained a hidden secret shared by the British Jazz fanatics. The fact that it is now reissued is a true milestone for the excellent Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which never ceases to surprise and delight those of us, who truly love this music. Overall, this is a monumental release as far as British Jazz is concerned, closing a major gap in so many record collections of dedicated fans, all of which are both happy and grateful. The great talent of Taylor, the superb performances by Wheeler and the rest of the sextet members, and most importantly the everlasting magic of the music, which is every bit as fresh as it was at the time it was recorded, all come together to create a “crown jewel” of an album, which no British Jazz fan can ignore. Thank you Gentlemen for your labor of love, which we all enjoy.

Updated: 13/07/2022Posted: 13/07/2022

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CLARK TERRY ~ CLARK AFTER DARK MPS 4029759115700 (Barcode: 4029759115700) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1977 Released: 2016 This is a reissue of an album by American trumpeter / composer and flugelhorn pioneer Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, which was his second of two albums for MPSFind albums on this label and which was produced by the British music critic / producer Mike HennesseyFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten Jazz ballads, nine of which are standards and one, which was written especially for this album by the German trombonist / bandleader / arranger / composer Peter HerbolzheimerFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded in London and features a mind-blowing huge orchestra, which includes the absolute crème de la crème of the British Jazz musicians, which does not appear on any other recording, and as such is absolutely unique. Some of the names include trumpeters: Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Tony FisherFind albums by this artist and Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, trombonists: Dave HorlerFind albums by this artist and Nat PeckFind albums by this artist, reed players: Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist, pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, guitarist Martin KershawFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others. The music is definitely on the lighter side of Jazz, but Terry´s brilliant technique and enormous feel are definitely worth hearing. But the real hidden gem on this album is the brilliant performance by the orchestra and the superb arrangements. It is an exceptional example of the artistry of orchestration and of course the actual execution of the sophisticated arrangements by a group of immensely talented players. For British Jazz connoisseurs this is a rare gem, which is know by very few members of the proud community. As usual with reissues, it is great to have this gem back in circulation, for new generation of fans to discover and for those who lost the copy of the original vinyl issue to re-discover past pleasures. May the Force be with you! Side Note The legendary German MPSFind albums on this label (Musik Produktion Schwarzwald) label, founded by Hans Georg Brunner-SchwerFind albums by this artist (HGBS) in 1963, first as SABAFind albums on this label Records and later on from 1968 as MPS Records, was the most important independent European record label, which had an enormous contribution to the development of European Jazz. For many years MPS cooperated with the legendary German producer / author Joachim BerendtFind albums by this artist, my Friend and Mentor, whose visionary approach and open-mindedness brought the crème de la crème of the Jazz (in the broadest meaning of the word) musicians from all over the world to the label. Between 1963 and 1983 MPS produced about five hundred albums, many of which are among the most important Jazz recordings on this planet. In 1983 the MPS catalog was sold to UniversalFind albums on this label, which sadly resulted in all those artistic treasures to almost disappear from the face of the earth – a situation not only tragic but culturally criminal. Universal reissued a part of the MPS albums (probably 128 titles) on CD between 1999 and 2011 under the "Most Perfect Sound Edition" moniker. Since 2008 the German Promising MusicFind albums on this label label released some of the MPS recordings, but at a very slow pace. In 2014 the German company Edel AG bought the MPS catalogue from Universal and released a series of 25 MPS albums on CD with a new slipcase graphic design, which brought all those excellent albums back to life. In 2015 Edel AG started to record and release new albums under the MPS moniker. In 2016 Edel AG released a series of 10 classic MPS albums on CD, which were beautifully remastered and re-packaged, presenting the original artwork and liner notes, as well as new liner notes and photographs. An obvious labor of love, these reissues are what the MPS catalogue truly deserves. This project was continued in 2017 with another series of 10 classic MPS albums released on CD. In later years some new reissues were released sporadically. Over the years many SABA / MPS albums were reissued in Japan, which is often the only available source for these albums today, but that is a story in itself.

Updated: 28/05/2018Posted: 23/12/2016

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DICK WALTER / JAZZCRAFT ENSEMBLE ~ SECRET MOVES ASC 029 (Barcode: 5029716002929) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by the British composer / arranger Dick WalterFind albums by this artist recorded with the Jazzcraft EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a gathering of eleven top British Jazz musicians and five guest stars, which collectively read like the who´s who of British Jazz at the closure of the previous Millennium. The ensemble, conducted by Walter, included trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, flugelhornist Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, French horn player Richard BissillFind albums by this artist, valve trombonist Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist and Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. The guests were: vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Alan BarnesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and finally guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short pieces, five of which are original compositions by Walter and the rest are carefully selected Jazz standards and one BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, all exquisitely arranged by Walter. Each and every one of these pieces is an absolute gem, perfectly rounded and complete like a mini-suite, representing all the best in British / European Jazz: delicate aesthetics, superb taste, intelligence and deep understanding of music. This album is one of the most perfect examples of large ensemble Jazz ever recorded and should be a schoolbook example of Jazz arrangement. The music is also beautifully performed by these Master musicians, who contribute perfect ensemble playing as well as beautiful soli, all relatively concise due to the album´s timing limitations, but nevertheless perfectly rounded and expressive. Altogether these seventy two minutes of music round up almost everything there is to say in a mainstream Jazz ensemble format. I have no idea how this nugget managed to slip under my radar for so many years; better late than never is the only solace. The music brings so many memories and associations about British Jazz and its history, that listening to it for the first time was a deeply emotional experience for me. Repeated listening sessions revealed the depth of the arrangements and the incredible craft involved in making it. It is a true masterpiece in every respect. I can hardly imagine a proper British Jazz collection being complete without this album being part of it, and therefore grab a copy as long as it is still available. You can thank me later on, after you have listened to it ;)

Updated: 24/01/2023Posted: 15/04/2019

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ CITADEL / ROOM 315 BGO 713 (Barcode: 5017261207135) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006 This magnificent album marks a pivotal point in the career of pianist / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, a transition between the first and the second phases of his monumental life’s achievement. Since it is a suite composed for and performed by a large ensemble (19 musicians in this case), it continues the pioneering work by Westbrook as a composer of large scale orchestral music and closes the cycle which started with the debut "CelebrationFind albums with this title" and continued with "ReleaseFind albums with this title", "Marching SongsFind albums with this title", "Love SongsFind albums with this title" and "MetropolisFind albums with this title". In between “Metropolis” and "Citadel / Room 315Find albums with this title" Westbrook ventured into Jazz-Rock Fusion with the group Solid Gold CadillacFind albums by this artist, returning to Jazz with the new suite, which was commissioned by the Swedish Radio Jazz Group with John SurmanFind albums by this artist as a guest soloist. It was first performed and recorded in 1974, but for various reasons the recording was not released, so Westbrook decided to record it with a British lineup, following several performances in UK a year later. As usual in his case, he managed to assemble the best Jazz players on the British Jazz scene to participate in the recording, including John Surman as the main soloist on baritone and soprano saxophone, with Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Dave MacRaeFind albums by this artist on piano, Brian GoddingFind albums by this artist on guitar, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass and Allan JacksonFind albums by this artist on drums and many others. The music is of course brilliant, as always, but surprisingly more melodic and accessible than most of his earlier works, with clear “winks” towards the work of Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist. Superbly arranged and performed, this is an epic achievement, sadly one of the last great Jazz works of such scale, as the climate in Britain was about to change very soon and the magnificent Golden Decade was facing an inevitable comedown. Westbrook was of course to continue his extraordinary work as a composer, but his albums will be gradually released on small independent labels and sell meagerly. Well, we still have this essential recording to re-visit any time we feel a need to refill out batteries with some highly charged musical delight. Essential!

Updated: 12/03/2022Posted:

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ METROPOLIS BGO 454 (Barcode: 5017261204547) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1999 If the 1960s served as a period of establishment of the British Jazz scene, with scores of extremely talented instrumentalists and composers coming to prominence, surely the 1970s marked the “emancipation of British Jazz from American slavery”, a phrase brilliantly defined by British trumpeter / composer / musicologist / writer Ian CarrFind albums by this artist. One of the distinct heroes and champions of this new path was undoubtedly pianist / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, whose compositions for large Jazz ensembles were the British answer and equivalent to the body of work composed by the great Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist. MetropolisFind albums with this title marks a high point in a series of brilliant works composed by Westbrook and recorded by large ensembles comprising of the creme de la creme of British Jazz musicians. Westbrook sublimely expands the Ellingtonian framework with the inclusion of multi-layered sound ambience, group improvisation and Rock rhythms, creating a completely innovative and spectacular musical phenomenon, somewhat comparable to contemporary Classical music, but firmly based in Jazz idioms and traditions. “Metropolis” was recorded by an ensemble, which included 23 musicians, each and every one of which are absolute Masters of their trade, including Westbrook on piano, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, George KhanFind albums by this artist and John WarrenFind albums by this artist on saxophones, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpets, Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist on trombone, John TaylorFind albums by this artist on electric piano, Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist on guitar, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist and Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass, Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist and John MarshallFind albums by this artist and drums and the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist on vocals – more or less the entire core of modern British Jazz. The music is of course magnificent, full of pathos and expression with not a single dull moment from start to finish, and the performances absolutely chilling with one solo chasing another. There are few Jazz albums that come close to this masterpiece and although it is relatively little known by Jazz fans worldwide (as most great music) it is an absolute classic and a must for any serious listener, equivalent to hundreds of other less meaningful albums. Absolutely essential!

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

KENNY WHEELER ~ KAYAK AH UM 012 (Barcode: 5017771001223) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992 This is a criminally little known album by the celebrated British Jazz trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, released on the short-lived and sadly forgotten Ah UmFind albums on this label Records, owned by Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist. Wheeler leads a splendid ensemble, which comprises of the absolute crème de la crème of the British Jazz scene at the time: saxophonists Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist and Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist, French horn player John RookFind albums by this artist, trombonists Dave HorlerFind albums by this artist and Dave StewartFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and American drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist. Trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and pianist John HorlerFind albums by this artist are added on the four last tracks only. The album presents seven Wheeler originals, the last four of which create a suite. All the music was recorded during a one-day session, which is absolutely amazing considering the complexity of the arrangements, but of course all these musicians were absolute Masters of the trade. The music is obviously absolutely brilliant, as everything Wheeler ever created and most of it was never recorded by Wheeler again with other ensembles. He briefly describes the origin of all the compositions on the album in the liner notes, one of which is a wonderfully crafted tribute to Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist´s compositions, a rather unlikely connection, but nevertheless true. The playing is of course also magnificent from start to finish, with plenty of wonderful solos by the participants and a superb ensemble performance, typical of British Jazz at its absolute best. The music was also excellently recorded with wonderful separation and perfect sound quality, which of curse enhances the listening pleasure even more. Overall this is lost perfect gem which deserves a proud place in any serious British Jazz collection, and although quite difficult to come by these days, it is by all means worth the effort needed to hunt for it. Essential Kenny Wheeler! Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 16/03/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

KENNY WHEELER ~ SONGS FOR QUINTET ECM 2388 (Barcode: 602547046536) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 I am writing these words with heavy heart, realizing that this is an epitaph of sorts, as this is the last album by British (Canadian born) Jazz trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, recorded less than a year before his distressing death. Wheeler´s music was a continuous element of the soundtrack of my life for over fifty years and I was lucky to hear him performing live and talk to him on various occasions and of course listening to his numerous albums, always following his endeavors, from near and far. For me Wheeler always epitomized the absolute essence of Jazz: intelligence, sensitivity, superb ability to compose unforgettable melodies, or as he liked to call them "songs", and most importantly his open-mindedness and courage to step beyond the obvious and the familiar into terra incognita. It is impossible to imagine the modern British Jazz, and in fact European Jazz as a whole, without his crucial contributions, as he was always there in the eye of the hurricane of its essentially important developments. This album presents a recording by an all British quintet, which includes two British Jazz veterans of the first post WWII generation: saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist (born 1948) and bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist (born 1949) and two veterans of slightly younger generation: guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist (born 1959) and drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist (born 1964). Together they perform nine original compositions by Wheeler, which are again called "songs", as they are all beautifully melodic. The quintet expands these melodic themes into modern Jazz miniatures, with a typical British Jazz elegance, minimalism and virtuosity. All music created by Wheeler over time became part of the absolutely classic Jazz heritage and this album is no different. Both the compositions and their treatment by the quintet are simply perfect in every respect and the listener is treated to a "final product" of the highest quality, being simply left to relax and enjoy this glorious music. Whatever one´s musical background and level of Jazz appreciation, this music is simply beyond being analyzed and its aesthetics should suffice to be recognized as a masterpiece. Of course life will continue, as it always does, regardless of who is left behind. The collective human heritage, which has been expanded and enriched by Wheeler´s presence, will be hopefully properly remembered and cherished. Although in today´s world humanity suffers from the ever shortening attention span, the human ingenuity and culture will prevail in the long rage, provided of course that humanity manages to avoid self obliteration. Wheeler´s recordings are all beautiful gems and let´s treat them as such, today, tomorrow, forever…

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

NORMA WINSTONE ~ EDGE OF TIME DUSK FIRE 108 (Barcode: 5065001032998) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2013 By the time vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist recorded this, her first solo album, she was already an integral part of the emerging new British Jazz scene, which completely revolutionized the meaning and the borders of the Jazz Art Form and made it a part of the European Cultural heritage. Since the late 1960s young British Jazz musicians decided to leave behind the clearly defined and pretty limited American Jazz forms and stretch them beyond recognition, creating a new musical universe. Winstone was right at the epicenter of this new creative eruption and her contributions made a significant mark on a large portion of the British Jazz recordings at the time, when she was a member of groups led by Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist or Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and sang on albums recorded by John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist and others. Winstone has a unique approach to vocals, which puts the human voice on an equal level with the instruments and allows her to perform using vocalese and other wordless techniques, which becomes as important as singing lyrics, which in most cases she writes herself. This approach earned her a respected position of the "resident" vocalist of the British scene at the time, which was reflected by the numerous albums she appeared on. The album includes seven original pieces, four of which were composed by pianist John Taylor, two by John Surman and the remaining one by John WarrenFind albums by this artist. The lineup reads like a who´s who of the British Jazz scene at the time and includes saxophonists Art ThemenFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Kenny Wheeler, trombonists Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, pianist John Taylor, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. The arrangements and settings move between intimate duets to a large scale massive Big Band sound and present the full scale of the Winstone´s vocal abilities and her amazing diversity. It´s pretty remarkable that in the forty plus years that passed since this album was released it lost absolutely nothing of its vitality, freshness and musical boldness. It still kicks butt and makes your body swing involuntarily, exactly as it did when I heard it for the first time. The fact that this music is available again is a joyful occasion indeed and in the sad days of dying Culture a graceful reminder of what used to be considered as music is most refreshing. This is a definite classic recording of the British / European Jazz history and a milestone in the history of Jazz vocals and should be an essential part of any serious music collection.

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend