Record Reviews

MIKE OSBORNE ~ FORCE OF NATURE REEL RECORDINGS 006 (Barcode: 641444026128) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1980 - 1981 Released: 2008 British saxophone Giant Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist retired from active performing by the end of 1982 as a result of his mental illness, leaving the local Free Jazz scene with an enormous empty space. Although his playing is relatively well documented starting in the late 1960s, when he was an active participant in creating the British Jazz revolution / emancipation, and in the 1970s when he played with the most prestigious ensembles, but his last period before his untimely retirement remains almost completely undocumented. Therefore these recordings, dating from the early 1980s, shortly before he was to stop performing are priceless and of great historic importance. The two sessions presented here are both quartet recordings with Dave HoldsworthFind albums by this artist on trumpet and alternating bassists Marcio MattosFind albums by this artist / Paul BridgeFind albums by this artist and drummers Brian AbrahamsFind albums by this artist / Tony MarshFind albums by this artist. Osborne´s playing is fluid and passionate, presenting the absolute heights of improvisational artistry. Both quartets present the usual level of telepathic interplay present in Free Jazz situation, with all musicians performing brilliantly. Osborne died in 2007, leaving behind him a legacy, which proves beyond any doubt that he was a true Force of Nature. Brilliant stuff!

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TONY OXLEY ~ UNRELEASED 1974-2016 DISCUS 129 (Barcode: 5051078993126) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1974 - 2016 Released: 2022 This is an archival album compiling recordings by British Jazz drummer / violinist / composer / improviser / electronicist Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, recorded between 1974 and 2016 with some of the top British / European Avant-Garde musicians. The first three tracks from 1974 present a quintet with bassist Barry GuyFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dave HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, pianist Howard RileyFind albums by this artist and trombonist Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist. Although recorded in 1974, the music was much later into the form present on this album in later dates between 2005 and 2020. Next track from 1981 presents a quintet with guitarist Hugh MetcalfeFind albums by this artist, Riley, saxophonist Larry StabbinsFind albums by this artist and violinist / electronicist Philipp WachsmannFind albums by this artist and finally the last track presents a duo with German percussionist Stefan HoelkerFind albums by this artist. All the music was all composed by Oxley. The album is a spectacular showcase of British / European Improvised Music at its best and has very limited to what most people consider as Jazz, sonically exploring interstellar space rather that our humble earthy neighborhood, but obviously preserving the improvising spirit and using sound as a metaphysical medium to express emotion and artistic expression. The three early tracks form 1974 are perhaps the most remarkable, considering the date of recording, which proves that Oxley already at that time was light-years ahead of most the other musical explorers at the time. The absolute freedom from any references and restrictions characterizes these recordings as completely pioneering at the time, and honestly standing up to anything created in Improvised Music ever since. Kudos to Oxley for releasing these recordings from his personal vaults and to Martin ArcherFind albums by this artist for releasing them faithfully on his DiscusFind albums on this label label, making them available to the world. You make us all spiritually richer being able to listen to this music. Overall, this is a tremendously important historical material, which opens yet another window into the musical legacy of one of the most important British / European Improvising Music personas, which are both delightful and enlightening. An absolute must for Improvising Music followers!

Updated: 05/04/2022Posted: 05/04/2022

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MIKE WESTBROOK ~ A BIGGER SHOW ASC 162-163 (Barcode: 654469439163) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2015 Released: 2016 This is an incredible album that celebrates eight decades of life and six decades of musical activity by British pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, one of the most iconic figures of British / European Jazz and in retrospect an unstoppable innovator, who is always ahead of the time of his contemporaries. The album is a live recording of a show, which features the music of Mike Westbrook and lyrics by his wife Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist, performed by an orchestra consisting of twenty one musicians and called The "Uncommon OrchestraFind albums by this artist". The 2CD album presents eight original compositions, four on each CD, one of which is over half an hour in duration. The music was recorded, mixed and edited by the recently departed Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, who closely cooperated with Westbrook for many years of his life. Westbrook´s big ensemble music is always an amazing amalgam of marching Brass Bands, Circus Music, Funeral Bands, Cabaret and Vaudeville, modem day Opera and Jazz Big Bands. This has not changed much over time, as a concept, but his music travelled far and wide stylistically over the years, always being exceptionally creative and completely unique. The music on this album is no different, and presents a highly complex musical story, which keeps enfolding in front of the listener like an Opera plot. The Orchestra, which is basically a large brass section supported by a double rhythm section (two guitars, two basses and two drums) performs superbly and the orchestra members play bloodcurdling solos along the way. Kate Westbrook, Martine WaltierFind albums by this artist and Billie BottleFind albums by this artist perform the vocal parts, which are, as usual, theatrical and full of drama. A few legendary veterans can be found among the orchestra members, like saxophonist Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Dave HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, both soloing splendidly. Overall this is another Mike Westbrook masterpiece, which proudly takes its place with his earlier works in the rich tapestry of his musical achievements. His many followers will hopefully add this jewel to the Mike Westbrook collection, as it wholly deserves to be heard and admired. There are but a few contemporary musical figures, which have behind them six decades of pioneering work and a splendid legacy of uncompromising musical treasures. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/02/2023Posted: 25/06/2018

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MIKE WESTBROOK ~ LOVE SONGS VOCALION 8407 (Barcode: 765387840723) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005 Pianist / bandleader / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist is a true icon of the British Jazz scene for over four decades. The immense body of work Westbrook produced over the years parallels the achievements of many Classical composers and in fact should be considered as contemporary Classical music, although he is mostly associated with the Jazz genre. In the late 1960s / 1970s Westbrook concentrated mostly on his work with Jazz Big Bands, which he led and composed the music for. He usually composed large orchestral suites, based on conceptual or literary content, again similar to the modus operandi of Classical composers. His legendary Big Bands / orchestras comprised of the creme de la creme of the British Jazz musicians active at the time and were one of the most fascinating grounds of musical experimentation. Later on Westbrook would work mainly in smaller ensembles, which include his wife the singer Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist, producing a series of wonderful compositions often similar in spirit to the work of composer Kurt WeillFind albums by this artist and often involving interpretation of European poetry and other literary works. This album presents a song cycle dedicated to the poems by Caroline MenisFind albums by this artist, and features Britain’s greatest female Jazz vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist. The band consists of saxophonists Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, John WarrenFind albums by this artist and George KhanFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dave HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, trombonists Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist and a rhythm section: Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist – guitar, Mike Westbrook – piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist – bass and Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist – drums, all stellar Jazz musicians. Of course Westbrook’s music is never trivial and requires some serious listening to be truly appreciated, but the intellectual effort is richly rewarded. This reissue includes a super-rare single released at the time to promote the album. Timeless stuff and a must to any true Jazz lover - most warmly recommended.

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MIKE WESTBROOK ~ THE LAST NIGHT AT THE OLD PLACE CADILLAC 016 (Barcode: 5051078961828) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2018 This is a wonderful archival release of a live concert played by pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist and his Concert BandFind albums by this artist, recorded at Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s Old Place on May 25, 1968 – the very night when the Old Place on Gerrard Street finally closed its doors for good. The band comprised of saxophonists Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Bernie LivingFind albums by this artist, George KhanFind albums by this artist and John SurmanFind albums by this artist, trombonists Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Dave HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, Westbrook on piano, bassist Harry MillerFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, most of which are original compositions by Westbrook and all of which were released on the "ReleaseFind albums with this title" album recorded by the same band less than three months later. This album documents the wonderful freedom the band members enjoyed within the band, and especially so during this very special occasion. The recording presents extended soloing by the band members, that was not present on the much more concise studio versions of these compositions, and allows a rare glimpse at the atmosphere prevailing at the Old Place, which was London´s melting pot of all things Jazz related, side by side with the Little Theatre Club run by drummer John StevensFind albums by this artist. As someone who was lucky to witness that period at first hand, I must admit that the fifty years that passed since have not managed to erase the intensity of the magic that was in the air and the feeling that a completely new music was being born right in front of your eyes (and ears). The album is accompanied by informative liner notes by Westbrook and others and is also a tribute to John JackFind albums by this artist, the omnipresent man behind the British Jazz scene and founder of CadillacFind albums on this label Records, who sadly departed in September 2017. The sound quality of the recording is not ideal, but is certainly good enough to faithfully reconstruct the atmosphere of the concert and enable us to enjoy the music, as it was performed. The fact that this music was recorded at all and survived fifty years of storage is another miracle. We are all very lucky that this recording was unearthed and will be now preserved for posterity. Of course this is an absolute must for all British Jazz enthusiasts and Westbrook followers!

Updated: 02/02/2023Posted: 09/10/2018

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