Record Reviews
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  | IAIN BALLAMY ~ PEPPER ST. INTERLUDES
FERAL 102 (Barcode: 766013010220) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000
This is another criminally little known album, this time by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Iain BallamyFind albums by this artist, recorded with Norwegian button accordionist Stian CarstensenFind albums by this artist and British vocalist Diva Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, cellist Matthew SharpFind albums by this artist and drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist (on one track only). The album presents fourteen pieces, two of which (one of them repeated three times) are original compositions by Ballamy, one is by Carstensen, one is by the Jewish British composer Michael CarrFind albums by this artist (repeated twice) and the rest are mostly unique arrangements of Jazz standards.
The entire concept of the album is to present intimate duets of saxophone with accordion or with cello, and on two tracks featuring Winstone singing the lyrics of songs and adding vocalese on two others. The atmosphere is utterly enchanting and misty like the London fog. Ballamy´s playing is full of lyricism and heartbreaking melancholy, and the album is a great tribute to the Jazz standards, which are an endless source of great and moving tunes.
Although focusing on the saxophone, the album offers some extraordinary accordion playing and of course the vocals by Winstone are always a joyful occasion to hear her Artistry and alone a worth having this album in your collection.
Overall this is a very unusual album, full of deeply reflective music, which might take some time to get in love with, but that is bound to happen sooner or later. It definitely deserves to be discovered, if a copy can be found, which probably won´t be easy. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 15/01/2021Posted: 14/01/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | BILL BRUFORD / EARTHWORKS ~ LIVE AT THE SHAUBURG BREMEN 1987
MOOSICUS 1215 (Barcode: 885513121523) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1987 Released: 2022
This is an archival live album by the British Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Bill BrufordFind albums by this artist and the first edition of his sensational quartet called EarthworksFind albums by this artist, which also included saxophonist Iain BallamyFind albums by this artist, pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist and bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by Radio Bremen in November 25, 1987, and offers ten tracks, all original compositions by the quartet members.
Bruford founded Earthworks in 1986 after spending almost twenty years as member of cutting edge Progressive Rock bands like YesFind albums by this artist (of which he was a founding member), King CrimsonFind albums by this artist, GenesisFind albums by this artist, U.K.Find albums by this artist and his own band called simply BrufordFind albums by this artist, returning to his Jazz roots. Earthworks comprised of the crème de la crème of the young British Jazz scene at the time and took the local as well as international scene by storm.
This live recording finds the quartet in absolute top form, over a year after their debut album was recorded and following extensive touring, which allowed them to develop the material and their unique musical approach. In contrast to expectations and speculations, Earthworks was a bona-fide Jazz quartet, which did not follow the Fusion path, which would have been more natural as a continuation of Bruford’s musical path up to that moment. Bellamy and Bates arrived from the sensational Loose TubesFind albums by this artist Big Band, which was one of British Jazz most surprising ensembles during the 1980, and Hutton was already a highly sought after young Jazz bassist on the local scene. Together they were simply unstoppable and the level of their performances was absolutely sensational. They were able to create a complex fury of sound, which was completely unprecedented on the British Jazz scene, and Bruford’s drumming behind Earthworks in as absolute peak of his career.
Overall, this album is a “missing link” in the Earthworks discography, from the period between the debut and the second album “Dig?Find albums with this title”, and of course an essential part in the Bruford discography, which none of his many fans will want to miss.
| | Updated: 17/06/2023Posted: 17/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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