Record Reviews
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  | JOY ~ JOY
CADILLAC 022 (Barcode: 5020675000377) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2023
This is a reissue of the only album by the British Jazz quintet JoyFind albums by this artist, which comprised of trumpeter Jim DvorakFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Chris FrancisFind albums by this artist, pianist Frank RobertsFind albums by this artist, bassist Ernest MothleFind albums by this artist and drummer Keith BaileyFind albums by this artist. The original album, with nine tracks, was remastered and expanded by four bonus tracks, one of which was not included on the original album and three are alternate takes. Two of the original tracks were extended to their full-length versions, since they were edited to fit on the original LP.
I have heard Joy performing many times at London’s pubs before the album was released and a friendship between Chris and his lovely wife Penny and myself (and later my wife) soon developed, which led to quite frequent meetings whenever I / we visited London thereafter, staying at their house, which was right on the Putney Bridge. Against all odds, we are still in touch and Chris and Penny are the only people in the entire world that have sent us a Christmas / New Year’s Greeting cards every single year in the last almost 50 years.
Joy was an incredible band in every respect. They had among their ranks brilliant musicians and composers, with plenty of new original material to be played at all times. They were multi-cultural and cross-genre before these idioms were even coined, with musical influences including African Music, American Bebop and British modernism and most importantly they always played as if there was no tomorrow.
Although John JackFind albums by this artist of CadillacFind albums on this label Records recognized their talents and released the album, they never achieved the recognition they truly deserved and by the end of the 1970s Joy disbanded. I always wondered why the album was not reissued earlier on, but better late than never, with my personal gratitude to Mike GavinFind albums by this artist, who now takes care of the Cadillac catalogue, it is finally available again.
Overall, this is a true “lost” gem of the British Jazz, recorded at the peak of its most productive period by the mid-1970s. The album is exploding with true musical joy and inventiveness, energy and talent. It lost absolutely nothing of its relevance over time, and captures some of the magical spirit of British Jazz at its core. Obviously, this is an essential item in every serious British Jazz album collection, which I am sure all the dedicated fans of the genre will grab with a big smile on their faces.
| | Updated: 05/06/2023Posted: 05/06/2023 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS` ORIGINAL DRUM ORCHESTRA ~ THE ART IS IN THE RHYTHM VOLUME 2
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 46 (Barcode: 5060774190531) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1989 Released: 2023
This is an archival live recording by the veteran British saxophonist / composer / bandleader Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist and his Original Drum OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which included violinist Peter KnightFind albums by this artist, bassist Ernest MothleFind albums by this artist, African percussionists Nana TsiboeFind albums by this artist and Kofi AduFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. The six lengthy improvised tracks were captured at two gigs, which were part of a tour the group played in 1989. The CD is dedicated to the memory of the two percussionist, who are now departed.
The music is all improvised, but differs significantly from what is usually conceived as European Free Jazz / Improvised Music due to the presence of the African Music elements, which have a prevailing rhythmic presence. With the saxophone and violin being the only melodic contributors to the music, the percussive elements dominate the proceedings, offering a wide range of pulsations, which keep changing as the pieces develop. It is possibly one of the most vivid examples of African Music within the British Improvised Music idiom, and of course it does continue Watts’ fascination with such musical elements, as present in his ensembles Moire MusicFind albums by this artist and Drum OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which were active during the 1980s and 1990s.
Watts’ improvisations are of course as fascinating as always, obviously highly inspired by the powerful rhythmic elements present herein, and he often exposes his lyrical / melodic persona, which is able to weave beautiful gentle tunes as well.
The music is very well recorded and offers a truly hypnotic ride, which thanks to the extensive duration of the tunes, often close and even over the half an hour mark, absorbs the listener completely for the duration. The more inquisitive listeners might delight in the interplay between the two percussionists and the drummer, who build a trans-continental Euro-African rhythmic understanding and co-existence.
As usual, thanks to the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label for releasing this archival material, for the excellent booklet and photographs and as usual for keeping this Cultural Heritage alive.
Overall, this is again a great addition to the British Jazz legacy, which keeps growing steadily and closing the gaps that time created, for those of us who are always thirsty to hear music, which should not be forgotten. Keep up this splendid job my Friends! And Trevor – may you keep playing for many years to come!
| | Updated: 23/07/2023Posted: 23/07/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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