Record Reviews

GORDON BECK ~ JUBILATION!: TRIOS, QUARTETS, AND SEPTETS IN SESSION 1964-1984 TURTLE 501 (Barcode: 5013929580107) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1984 Released: 2018 This is an archival release collecting live recordings made by various ensembles led by the seminal British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures of the revolutionary British Jazz movement of the 1960s, who died in 2011. The recordings present Beck in different settings, from solo piano to a septet, spanning two crucial decades in which Beck and the entire British Jazz scene metamorphosed from a copycat of American Jazz to a bold, adventurous and pioneering musical movement with its own values and aesthetics, leading the rest of Europe towards the same process of emancipation. On the recordings included in this release Beck is accompanied by the crème de la crème of the British Jazz heroes; bassists Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, drummers Johnny ButtsFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. Of the twenty eight pieces performed, only three are standards and the rest are original compositions by Beck. The music moves in a multidimensional space-time continuum, between traditional American Jazz and modern European Jazz, between standards and original compositions and between solo piano and ensemble playing, but always beautifully focused on Beck´s superb feel of melody and rhythm and his exquisite perception of harmony. The trio recordings, which open the first of the three CDs included in this Box Set, present a transition, which presents the quantum jumps separated from each other by two years gaps (1964-1966-1968), by which Beck and the trio move from a Bill EvansFind albums by this artist inspired swing perfection to a much more open, almost free playing, emphasized mostly by the change of the drummer from Butts to Oxley, one of the most important Jazz drummers of all time. By the mid 1970s the trio will be brought to perfection with the inclusion of Mathewson, and rechristened to MOBFind albums by this artist (Mathewson / Oxley / Beck) which can be heard on the second CD. The septet recordings, which take the rest of the first CD, are rather atypical in Beck´s career, as he preferred small ensembles, show Beck´s arranging skills, which he was able to perfect as the resident composer / arranger for the Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s all-star band, which included six of the seven members of the septet (John SurmanFind albums by this artist is the missing one). The latest (chronologically) recordings present a quintet session, which is led by the mature musician Beck has become in the meantime, are presented on the third CD. Beck´s solo material is presented on the second and third CDs. Overall the Box Set is full of magnificent music, diverse stylistically, but always perfectly executed, which presents a portrait of a great Artist. Considering that all these recordings are previously unreleased, this in an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. All the recordings were beautifully remastered and offer a first class listening experience. The Box Set, which was released by the reanimated TurtleFind albums on this label Records, includes an extensive booklet written by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, which is intelligent, informative and well researched, a true model for what all releases of this kind should offer those who buy the product. Absolutely essential to all British / European Jazz connoisseurs!

Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 15/02/2019

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

TUBBY HAYES ~ COMMONWEALTH BLUES ART OF LIFE 1016 (Barcode: 804640101628) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2005 British Jazz legend Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist was one of the greatest representatives of the genre and also one of the very few British musicians to get US exposure due to his frequent performances there. Although primarily revered for his tenor saxophone playing, he was also a superb flautist and vibraphonist. The bulk of recordings come from the period between mid-1950s to mid-1960s. By late 1960s Hayes became seriously ill and subsequently died (in 1973) at a ridiculously young age of 38. His musical legacy is of immense importance, as it laid the foundations for the European Jazz and its emancipation from the American Jazz tradition. His virtuoso playing and extraordinary sense of improvisation enabled Hayes to extend the be-bop tradition, established by Jazz giants like Charlie ParkerFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, into a new plane with added European sophistication and culture replacing the raw energy and often rage of American Jazz. This album is an extremely important document of Tubby’s magnificent performance, especially so due to the fact that it contains all previously unreleased recordings. The source of the music comes from the famous BBC “transcription service” recordings – a blessed initiative of the BBC to record British Jazz and subsequently broadcast these recordings on the BBC World Service stations around the world. These recordings were pressed on vinyl and distributed worldwide, but never released commercially. The album includes four such sessions, recorded for the Spanish-speaking listeners (see the announcements in Spanish) with his quartet, which includes Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist on piano, Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist on bass and Johnny ButtsFind albums by this artist on drums. The first three sessions are devoted each to a separate instrument and feature Hayes on tenor saxophone, vibraphone and flute. The fourth session features his playing all three instruments, each on a separate track. The recording quality is excellent (as is the remaster) and the result is a magnificent album, which deserves the title of a true classic of the British Jazz. The many fans of Tubby Hayes will find this album to be essential for their collections and it deserves a honorable place in any decent Jazz album collection. Genius at work!

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