Record Reviews
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  | HARRY BECKETT ~ MAXINE ITM 920010 (Barcode: 4250079750108) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1987 - 1995 Released: 2011
This is an album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, released shortly after his death. It presents a compilation of seven tracks, recorded between 1987 and 1995 with five different lineups, ranging between a quintet and a duo. In fact, it is a reissue of the 1993 album “Les Jardins Du CasinoFind albums with this title” with two tracks form the 1996 album “Compared 2 What?Find albums with this title”.
Two tracks were recorded by a quintet with trombonist Annie WhiteheadFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist John BurgesFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CastronariFind albums by this artist and drummer Winston CliffordFind albums by this artist. Another two tracks were recorded by a trio with German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. One track was recorded by a duo with pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist, another one by a duo with pianist Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist and finally one track by a quintet with saxophonist Courtney PineFind albums by this artist, McGregor, bassist Fred Thelonious BakerFind albums by this artist and drummer Clifford JarvisFind albums by this artist.
The music in incredibly diverse stylistically, from mainstream balladry to intense modern Jazz improvisation, but the focus is on Beckett’s superb trumpet / flugelhorn performances, which are consistently breathtaking, despite the changing lineups and stylistic variations.
Personally, my favorite tracks are those with Joachim Kuhn, but all the music is truly delightful and should make every Jazz enthusiast happy. It would be a crime to leave these tracks unreleased, so it’s great to see them available, for us to enjoy and cherish. Warmly recommended.
| Updated: 05/08/2023Posted: 05/08/2023 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT MACHINE ~ OTHER DOORS MOONJUNE 130 (Barcode: 692287913021) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2022 Released: 2023
This is the 3rd album by the iconic British Jazz / Fusion band Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, following their return to the original moniker in 2015, after dropping the “Legacy” suffix. It follows the 2018 studio album “Hidden DetailsFind albums with this title” and the 2020 live album “Live At The Baked PotatoFind albums with this title”. The lineup includes guitarist John EtheridgeFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist / keyboardist Theo TravisFind albums by this artist, bassist Fred Thelonious BakerFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. Bassist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist, who retired from the band by the end of 2021 and was replaced by Baker, guests on two tracks. It is the last album featuring Marshall, who died in 2023 a few months after this album was released and was replaced by Israeli drummer Asaf SirkisFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, a mixture of old and new compositions, seven of which were composed or co-composed by Travis and four composed or co-composed by Etheridge.
The music is the usual wonderful amalgam of Jazz and Fusion, based on beautiful melodic themes and brilliantly performed by these exceptional veteran musicians. Despite the fact that there is no attempt to innovate or revolutionize anything, which was the modus operandi of Soft Machine in their early days, the music played here is a synthesis of decades of experience and an attempt to keep the flame ablaze, without looking back.
Overall, this is an amazing piece of music, which should be a lighthouse of inspiration to the dozens of young Fusion bands, who sadly are not getting a right whiff of things. One can depend on these musicians to get it perfectly right, and to inspire and amaze the listener by their talents and acquired experience, continuing the six decades of well earned respect with pride.
| Updated: 08/06/2024Posted: 08/06/2024 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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