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17 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.

GEORGIE FAME / USCHI BRUNING / ALAND SKIDMORE QUARTET ~ A DECLARATION OF LOVE
ITM 9200020 (Barcode: 4250317473738) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 2008 Released: 2015

This is an archival release of a live concert which features the British Jazz singer / keyboardist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the German Jazz singer Uschi BruningFind albums by this artist accompanied by the quartet led by the legendary British Jazz saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, which also includes pianist Steve MellingFind albums by this artist, bassist Geoff GascoyneFind albums by this artist and drummer Ian PalmerFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, of which five feature Fame, three feature Bruning, one is a Fame / Bruning duet and one is an instrumental performance by the quartet. The music is mostly Jazz standards, except the title tracks which is a Fame original and one standard which has lyrics written by Fame. Recorded at the Berlin Philharmonic, the album´s sound quality is impeccable.

Fame has been my favorite Jazz vocalist since I have heard him live in London in the late 1960s, and I have been fortunate to hear him perform many times over the years in very diverse circumstances ranging from intimate solo appearances to his concerts with Big Bands, always delivering the absolute top performances. Regardless if he sang Jazz, Blues, Rhythm And Blues or even Pop, his absolutely unique intonation and heartfelt articulation are simply magical. Now in his sixth decade as a performer, he is still a formidable Artist.

Bruning is a German Jazz icon, who started her career in the dark days of the DDR period, which paradoxically produced some of the most interesting European Jazz. Her work with the legendary saxophonist Ernst-Ludwig PetrowskyFind albums by this artist is one of the most interesting vocal recordings made at the time behind the Iron Curtain. She is still active today on the German scene and definitely worth following.

Skidmore needs no introduction of course, being one of the world top saxophonists and one of the most important Jazz musicians keeping the John ColtraneFind albums by this artist legacy alive. His enormous contribution to British / European Jazz is unprecedented.

Overall this is a wonderful vocal Jazz album, full of great singing, superb instrumental work and good taste, rarely present on contemporary recordings. Great fun from start to finish and of course warmly recommended!
Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 21/07/2019CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend

KIDD, CAROL ~ ALL MY TOMORROWS
LINN 068 ~ UK ~ Jazz


Another great album by this fabulous singer with a selection of great jazz standards performed in her unique way. Accompanied by a flying jazz trio and string quartet, and with additional help from the brilliant guitarist Martin Taylor, this is vocal jazz at its best. Especially remasterd for this 24 K gold edition.
 CD 1 Gold Recommend To A Friend

KIDD, CAROL ~ ALL MY TOMORROWS
LINN 210 ~ UK ~ Jazz


Another great album by this fabulous singer with a selection of great jazz standards performed in her unique way. Accompanied by a flying jazz trio and string quartet, and with additional help from the brilliant guitarist Martin Taylor, this is vocal jazz at its best.
 CD 1 SACD Recommend To A Friend

KIDD, CAROL ~ GOLD
LINN 045 ~ UK ~ Jazz


Carol Kidd it the undisputable Queen of the British Jazz vocalists with many recordings and concerts all over the world to her credit. She sings in the best tradition of the classic jazz singers like Sarah Voughan and her golden voice takes no prisoners. This is a collection of her remarkable performances taken from her many Linn albums and especially remastered for this 24 K gold edition.
 CD 1 Gold Recommend To A Friend

KOLBE / ILLENBERGER ~ EMOTIONS - LIVE IN BREMEN 1978
MIG 02542 (Barcode: 885513025425) ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 1978 Released: 2021

This is an archival live album by the German Jazz guitar duo of Martin KolbeFind albums by this artist and Ralf IllenbergerFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by Radio Bremen a few months after the releases of the duo’s debut album “WavesFind albums with this title” on the legendary MoodFind albums on this label Records label. The album presents sixteen tracks, several of which originate from the debut album. All the music was co-composed by the duo, except one track by each of them and two tracks that are Rock standards. The album offers a wonderful sound quality, which again testifies as to the superb sound engineering by the German Radio / TV stations and their deep vaults with many gems from the past.

Both Kolbe and Illenberger were highly skilled guitarist, who played amplified acoustic guitars. They improvised extensively and wrote excellent melody lines, which were perfect vehicles for their improvisations. Their music had touches of Rock, Country, Pop and other influences, but were always strongly Jazz oriented, as this album amply proves. The duo recorded also a couple of albums as a trio with German pianist / composer Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, which was known under the KIDFind albums by this artist moniker.

The album includes several pieces, that never made it to their studio albums, and therefore offers the only opportunity to hear them, which is a surprising benefit of this album.

Overall, this is a delightful album of guitar music, which should make guitar enthusiasts extremely happy, but all Jazz lovers, who enjoy the gentler, more melodic side if improvised music should enjoy this album in full.
Updated: 26/06/2025Posted: 26/06/2025CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend

KOLBE / ILLENBERGER / DAUNER ~ KID - SECOND STEP
MOOD 33.601 ~ GERMANY ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion

Recorded: 1985 Released: 1985

This is the 2nd album by the German Jazz trio comprising of guitarists / composers Martin KolbeFind albums by this artist and Ralf IllenbergerFind albums by this artist and pianist / composer Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist. Kolbe and Illenberger worked together as a duo, before adding Dauner and forming the trio, which appeared also under the KIDFind albums by this artist moniker. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions, five by Kolbe & Illenberger and three by Downer.

The music is a mixture of Rock and Jazz, based on beautiful melodic themes and featuring extensive guitar improvisations on both acoustic and electric guitars. They released several albums on the MoodFind albums on this label Records label before joining with Dauner to form the trio, which released two albums. Dauner’s piano / keyboards work expanded the sound and capacity of the duo and enabled to create a more complex set of compositions, all staying strictly within the highly melodic / lyrical setting.

Overall, this is another wonderful cooperation between Dauner and other musicians, which showcases his universal talents. The beautiful music was very popular among Jazz-Rock Fusion fans and is sadly little known beyond the German scene, but although recorded four decades ago, lost nothing of its value and is still a very solid example of the talents of the musicians involved. Definitely worth being re-discovered or re-visited!
Side Note
MoodFind albums on this label Records, established in 1977 and based in Germany, was a small independent record label founded by European Jazz musicians: German Wolfgang DaunerFind albums by this artist, Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and Albert MangelsdorffFind albums by this artist and Dutch Ack van RooyenFind albums by this artist. The label was active between 1977 and 2006 and released 78 albums, first on vinyl and later on CD. In 2010 the label released 11 2CD albums with reissues of early vinyl albums.

The label was the home label of the four founders, as well as the United Jazz + Rock EnsembleFind albums by this artist, Ian CarrFind albums by this artist’s NucleusFind albums by this artist and many other, mostly European musicians. The total output of the label is a superb document of the European Jazz scene between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. Some of these albums are absolutely essential.
Updated: 26/06/2025Posted: 22/02/2025CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

SKID ROW ~ LIVE AND ON SONG
HUX 075 (Barcode: 682970000756) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock

Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2006

Skid RowFind albums by this artist were an excellent proto-Prog band formed in Ireland in 1967 by bassist & songwriter Brush ShielsFind albums by this artist. The band also featured Phil LynottFind albums by this artist on vocals, the 17 year old Gary MooreFind albums by this artist on guitar and Noel BridgemanFind albums by this artist on drums. Phil Lynott left after recording the band’s debut single, and went on to form Thin LizzyFind albums by this artist. The band continued as a trio, with Gary Moore, Brush Shiels & Noel Bridgeman. Eventually, Gary Moore also left, and went on to become one of rock music’s most acclaimed guitarists. This superb album brings us the 2 early singles (A and B) recorded on the Irish SongFind albums on this label label (ultra rare collector’s items) and a live performance recorded for the BBC in 1971 which includes a 16+ minutes extravaganza featuring Moore’s guitar pyrotechnics. This is a most welcome addition to the always excellent HuxFind albums on this label label catalog.
 CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

SKIDMORE / OXLEY / HAURAND ~ S.O.H. LIVE IN LONDON
JAZZWERKSATT 016 (Barcode: 4250079757824) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music

Recorded: 1983 Released: 2007

This is an archival live recording by the wonderful trio consisting of British Jazz saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist, known collectively as S.O.H.Find albums by this artist The trio performs four extended pieces, all being original compositions by the trio members with one tune co-composed by the Dutch pianist Jan HuydtsFind albums by this artist.

The trio, which was active between 1978 and 1984, recorded just a couple of obscure albums released on small independent European labels and this live recoding, which saw the light of day only more than twenty years after it was recorded, is a substantial addition to its discography. Both Skidmore and Oxley are among my favorite British Jazz musicians and both made tremendous contributions to the development of British and than European Jazz, as did Haurand, not only as a musician but also as organizer and bandleader of such formidable international groups like the European Jazz QuintetFind albums by this artist which than developed into the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which exists to this very day.

The music is a classic example of European post-Coltrane Free Jazz, based on intensive and highly emotional performances by the trio members. Skidmore is a brilliant improviser and his lengthy solos are unstoppable, to the delight of all Free Jazz enthusiasts. Oxley, who is without a doubt the most original Jazz drummer ever, is a monster and his solo work on this album is some of the finest recorded evidence of his genius. Haurand fills in very well and supports his cohorts with his energetic pulsations. The overall sound of the trio is a modern version of the "wall of sound" effect, initiated by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist two decades earlier, but with more emphasis on sophistication rather than on raw power.

Overall this is a tremendous piece of highly charged music, which captures one of the most interesting European Jazz ensembles active in the late 1970s / early 1980s at its peak form and portrays the British / European Jazz scene at the time. An absolute must for British Jazz enthusiasts / collectors!
Updated: 11/01/2017Posted: 11/01/2017CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ A SUPREME LOVE
CONFRONT 33 (Barcode: 5060446128084) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1961 - 2019 Released: 2023

This is a colossal career-spanning archival 6CD Box Set by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, which presents recordings between 1961 and 2019, documenting almost six decades of music making by one of British Jazz most prominent figures. Although most of the music was played by ensembles led by Skidmore, it also includes his work with Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist´s Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist, S.O.S.Find albums by this artist and S.O.H.Find albums by this artist trios, UbizoFind albums by this artist, Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist and even Weather ReportFind albums by this artist. Most of the music was composed by Skidmore, but, as the title suggests, a significant portion of it was composed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, with Skidmore admitting to being his devoted disciple. A vast majority of the 46 tracks included in this Box Set are previously unissued.

Over the years Skidmore played with the absolute crème de la crème of the modern British Jazz musicians, including John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as many pioneering European and American Jazz musicians.

The music is presented chronologically and beautifully illustrates the gradual metamorphosis of Skidmore from Blues and mainstream Jazz player towards more adventurous areas towards the exploration of Free and Avant-Garde Jazz, which occurred by the end of the 1960s. The last two CDs are dedicated to the exploration of the music of John Coltrane, including a live performance at the legendary Café OTO from 2019 on CD6.

The music is of course brilliant from start to finish, and the release of this Box Set is a truly festive occasion to hear so much music previously hidden from the public ear, all of which is essential to every true British Jazz fan around the globe. The level of the performances is stellar of course, with Skidmore displaying his amazing technique and passion, which obviously are old news for any British Jazz follower, but appear herein in their full might and splendor. Thank God for the depth of Skidmore’s private archives, which made this Box Set possible, and perhaps those might be reexamined in order to find more of such treasures? Of course thanks to Mark WastellFind albums by this artist, the owner of ConfrontFind albums on this label Recordings, for making this dream come true.

Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of British Jazz history, with hours upon hours of brilliant music, which sees the light of day for the first time. It presents the development of the British / European Jazz scene from the perspective of just one of its many heroes, but considering the incredible gathering of musicians who play on these tracks, it becomes way more than just a story of one man, as important as he might be thanks to his own achievements, constituting in fact a reflection of an Era.
Updated: 01/10/2024Posted: 21/06/2023CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ ONCE UPON A TIME…
VOCALION 8406 (Barcode: 765387840624) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005

The title of the debut album by saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist is indeed appropriate for the occasion, as this is a recording of such beauty and excellence, that is happens extremely rarely. Alan, son of veteran British Jazz figure Jimmy SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, earned his own reputation by storming the modern British Jazz in the late 1960s. He participated in numerous pivotal recordings as sideman, and his debut turned out to be just it – the absolutely perfect example of what was happening at the time. If I had to select just one album, which represents the British scene at that time, this would be it. Skidmore on tenor sax leads a perfect quintet with Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist on trumpet, John TaylorFind albums by this artist on piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist on bass and Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist on drums (yes they were John SurmanFind albums by this artist’s rhythm section as well). Of the six exquisite compositions present, two are by John Surman, and the rest by Tony Oxley, John WarrenFind albums by this artist, John Taylor and Alan Skidmore, each contributing one composition. Whatever I’ll say here does not come even close to listening to this music, so do yourself a favor and grab a copy – this is something I’ve been listening to for almost 40 years and it still grabs me each and every time, so it must be really special. Essential stuff!
 CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ TCB
VOCALION 8481 (Barcode: 765387848125) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1970 Released: 2011

This is the 2nd album by British saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, one the pillars of modern British Jazz, who was a prominent figure on the late 1960s / 1970s Jazz scene, contributing some of the greatest moments of that illustrious era. Skidmore´s input over the years is absolutely invaluable and fortunately he is one of the musicians from that period, who still plays today, as brilliantly as always. The album also captures Skidmore´s 2nd quintet, with trombonist Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist (the only common link with the 1st quintet), bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. On four of the seven tracks of this album the quintet is expanded into a septet with the addition of two superb saxophonists: Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and John SurmanFind albums by this artist. Of the seven compositions Skidmore contributed only one, two are by Surman, two others are by the great John WarrenFind albums by this artist, another one is by Osborne and the last one is by Taylor. The music is typical of the time, brilliant modern Jazz, revolutionary in concept, brilliantly performed by these Master musicians. Over 40 years since this music was recorded and it still sounds absolutely stunning and honestly Jazz did not move forward significantly since then. An absolute must to all British Jazz connoisseurs and modern Jazz enthusiast!
 CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ THE CALL
PROVOCATEUR 1018 (Barcode: 5038491000037) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion

Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999

Legendary British saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist is one of the pivotal players on the modern British Jazz scene. His immense contribution to the development of the scene is well documented on his numerous recordings as a leader and sidemen in the late 1960s / 1970s and his position in the Pantheon of British Jazz is fully earned. Skidmore is one of the relatively few heroes of the British Jazz revolution to continue an active and successful career through the years, which also included recording of new albums periodically, keeping him constantly in the public eye (or rather ear). This album also reveals Skidmore’s open-mindedness and respect towards cultures and music other than Jazz, constituting a splendid example of contemporary Jazz-World Fusion. During his 1994 stay in South Africa Skidmore met the local drums / percussion ensemble AmampondoFind albums by this artist and fell in love with their music. Five years later he actually fulfilled his dream to record an album with Amampondo, which was recorded in South Africa and includes also Colin TownsFind albums by this artist on keyboards. Some overdubbing was later added to the original recording in the UK, which features Steve MellingFind albums by this artist (piano), Arnie SomogyiFind albums by this artist (bass) and Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist (drums). Skidmore plays incredibly on this album. His tone and vigor completely untouched by time and his improvisational powers at their peak, resembling as always those of John ColtraneFind albums by this artist. In fact it almost jumps out of this music that Coltrane would have probably recorded a similar album if he lived, as he was often researching and absorbing the African roots of Jazz prior to his untimely death. This realization adds another dimension to this sublime music, a prophetic one in that. In all respects this is one of the best Jazz-World Fusion albums I’ve ever heard and surely one I’ve probably enjoyed the most. Skidmore’s saxophone improvisations backed up by the African percussion merge perfectly into a new amalgam, which sounds and feels completely natural and coherent. His virtuoso performances are dazzling, but never flashy or overbearing – just exactly right for each moment. Skidmore again proves to his listeners that he is a Master with unmatched quality and talent. This album deserves to be listened to by every Jazz lover on this planet and embodies an essential recording of human Culture, transcending race, backgrounds and traditions and pointing clearly to the future of music.
 CD 1 HDCD Essential Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE / MIKE OSBORNE / JOHN SURMAN ~ S.O.S.
OGUN 019 (Barcode: 5020675571921) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music

Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006

This is a reissue of one of the most iconic British Jazz albums in all time, the only studio album by the saxophone trio comprising of Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist (tenor saxophone / drums / percussion), Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist (alto saxophone) and John SurmanFind albums by this artist (baritone and soprano saxophones / bass clarinet / synthesizers). The album presents eight original compositions, co-credited to all three members of the trio.

I vividly remember the first time when I listened to this album in 1975, being completely knocked out of my socks. The sheer chutzpah by these three musicians doing something so unheard of, playing music galactically remote from anything around, boldly combining the entire Jazz legacy into a completely new universe, and most importantly not giving a toss about what the critics will say (more about this later), was nearly an out-of-body experience. I knew them personally and heard them playing live quite often, but this album was truly something else.

The trio came together many months before the studio album was recorded and their early work together can be found on the appropriately titled “Looking For The Next OneFind albums with this title” live album, released on CuneiformFind albums on this label Records in 2013. The time spent gigging together polished their act and level of interplay and by the time they entered the studio, they were completely a three-headed one-minded musical unit.

All three players were already established and highly regarded figures on the British Jazz scene at the time, taking an active role in the revolution, which led to the creation of the new, modern British Jazz, emancipated from the American Jazz traditions and limitations. But the meeting of the trio sparked a new level of creativity and “out of the box” thinking, like Surman’s fascination with synthesizers and creating layers of background sound, which he utilizes to this very day. The complexity of simultaneous triple soloing and harmonizing is staggering and has very few parallels to this very day.

The new album’s packaging features several reviews of the album, published at the time of its release, and beautifully portrays the rigidness and ridiculous conservatism the British music press suffered from at the time, which opposed the revolutionary trends bitterly.

Overall, this is a timeless Masterpiece in the purest meaning of the term. The music is still absolutely fresh and stunning, losing absolutely nothing of its ingenuity, brilliance and spirituality. In retrospect it sounds even more beautiful than it did at the time of its creation, probably due to the fact that we have been exposed to so much bad music over time, that this sounds like honey in the ears. I’d go as far as saying that anybody who did not hear this album, did not hear British Jazz at its absolute best.
Updated: 18/03/2023Posted: 18/03/2023CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Essential Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE / UBIZO ~ 50 JOURNEYS
PROVOCATEUR 1040 (Barcode: 5038491104025) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion

Recorded: 2008 Released: 2008

3rd album by British saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and his African Music ensemble UbizoFind albums by this artist, which combines European Jazz musicians with African ethnic players. The album’s title celebrates Skidmore’s 50 years as a Jazz musician, one of the most illustrious careers on the British Jazz scene. The music is a beautiful amalgam of modern Jazz and ethnic elements, which Skidmore and his group have been exploring for the last few years. This version of Ubizo includes such gifted players as Ingolf BurkhardtFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Steve MellingFind albums by this artist and Colin TownsFind albums by this artist (keyboards) and Neville MalcolmFind albums by this artist (bass), alongside the African players, who play a plethora of folklore instruments. This album is slightly more oriented towards the ethnic elements, with relatively short tracks, but the scope and the beauty of the music is breathtaking. The Jazz elements are of course still strongly manifested, especially in view of the two John ColtraneFind albums by this artist compositions included, with spectacular solos by Skidmore. Overall this is another masterpiece of Jazz-World Fusion, with great music from start to finish, proving that music does not have to be somber and gloomy to be intelligent and rewarding. I had a great fun listening to this album and I’m sure many listeners will feel the same. Wholeheartedly recommended!
 CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE / UBIZO ~ UBIZO
PROVOCATEUR 1036 (Barcode: 5038491103622) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion

Recorded: 2002 Released: 2003

Following the recording of the sensational “The CallFind albums with this title” album, legendary British saxophonist / composer Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist reunited again with the South African ensemble AmampondoFind albums by this artist and created the group UbizoFind albums by this artist, adding a few other British Jazz musicians. This album documents the group’s music, which is a direct continuation of the tremendous success achieved on the previous album. This time the group presents a slightly different balance between Jazz and Folklore, as the “Jazz section” is strengthened by the addition of trumpeter Ingolf BurkhardtFind albums by this artist (from the NDR Big BandFind albums by this artist). Other players include Colin TownsFind albums by this artist (keyboards), Steve MellingFind albums by this artist (piano) and Arnie SomogyiFind albums by this artist (bass), who played on the previous album, and Stephen KeoghFind albums by this artist on drums. The music includes compositions by Skidmore, Towns and of course by members of Amampondo, as well as arrangements of traditional South African music. The overall balance between Jazz and Folklore is absolutely perfect, creating a superb Jazz-World Fusion, as it should be. British Jazz aficionados should remember Skidmore’s participation in Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist’s Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist some 30 years earlier, which also blended South African music and Jazz. It is quite interesting to compare this recording with the BOB ones and observe the process of maturity and refining that occurred in the meantime. The raw power and wildness (in search of musical and not only freedom) is replaced here by moderation and sophistication. Yes, we are all getting older, no doubt, but this does not affect Skidmore’s playing, which is exceptional, like always. His tone and improvisational skills are a symbol of (spiritual) youth and his Coltranesque explorations remain equal to none. I only hope Skidmore will continue to record his superb music for many years to come. Delightful!
 CD 1 Digipak HDCD Recommend To A Friend

JOHN SURMAN / ALAN SKIDMORE / TONY OXLEY ~ JAZZ IN BRITAIN `68-`69
VOCALION 8418 (Barcode: 765387841829) ~ UK ~ Jazz

Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2006

Saxophonists John SurmanFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist are three of the most distinguished representatives of the burgeoning British Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s. Each of them has a most impressive recorded legacy from that period and of course in the years to follow. This album, initially released in 1972, collects five stunning and previously unreleased outtakes, recorded at several sessions involving these three musicians, most of which originate from the sessions for Skidmore’s debut album. Each and every one of these tracks is absolutely superb, and considering the fact these are outtakes, this is ample evidence of the unbelievably high standard of the music at the time. The first track presents the unaccompanied saxophone trio comprising of Alan Skidmore (tenor), Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist (alto) and John Surman (baritone), which would later become known as S.O.S.Find albums by this artist and record albums under that name. On the next track the lineup is expanded to an octet with the addition of Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (flugelhorn), Malcolm GriffithFind albums by this artist (trombone), John TaylorFind albums by this artist (piano), Harry MillerFind albums by this artist (bass) and Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist (drums). The third track is actually recorded in two parts, with a personnel change between the two parts: part one is a quartet (Surman, Taylor, Miller & Jackson), that features a rare appearance of Surman on piano, and part two a quintet (Skidmore, Wheeler, Taylor, Miller & Oxley) introducing Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist (trumpet) and Tony Oxley (drums). The remaining two tracks are recorded by the same quintet. Surman composed three of the pieces and his fellow saxophonist John WarrenFind albums by this artist composed another one. The music is absolutely divine from start to finish in every respect – the compositions, the solos and the interplay are all breathtaking. My personal favorite is the incredible work by Oxley, by far one of the most innovative and inventive drummers in Jazz. Oxley’s approach at the time is somewhat similar to the incredible work done by the young Tony WilliamsFind albums by this artist, when he joined the Miles DavisFind albums by this artist quintet. Overall this is one the finest examples of British Jazz ever recorded and an absolutely essential document of the era.
 CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

TOMAS SYKORA TRIO & AID KID ~ ALCHEMY
ANIMAL MUSIC 114 (Barcode: 8594211850216) ~ CZECH REPUBLIC ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion

Recorded: 2023 Released: 2023

This is an album by the Czech Jazz pianist / composer Tomas SykoraFind albums by this artist and his trio with bassist Tomas LiskaFind albums by this artist and drummer Roman VichaFind albums by this artist, augmented by the electronics artist Aid KidFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. Ondra MikulaFind albums by this artist). The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Sykora.

The music is a highly exciting and innovative piece of contemporary Jazz, fused with electronics, which results in a fresh, up to date sound and feel, sometimes close to contemporary electronic Pop music, but still very much within the Jazz territory, with extensive improvisations by the leader and vigorous support by the slick rhythm section.

Sykora plays both acoustic piano and synthesizers, but the listener is surrounded by an electric perception, as a result of the electronic layers, electric bass and synthesizer parts. Yet the result manages to retain a solid melodic background and continuity, which keeps the music within a clearly harmonic environment, not crossing over to the Pop, Dance, Techno and Trance idioms.

Some Jazz purist my find this music too far removed from the Jazz tradition, but let’s keep in mind that Sykora has already proven his Jazz background beyond any doubt and this experimentation is nothing else but an attempt to discover new areas of interest, without compromising quality or aesthetic values.

Overall, this is an interesting and innovative attempt to amalgamate Jazz and electronic music, based on a set of highly melodic compositions, excellently executed by the participating musicians. Perhaps not universally appealing to the broad Jazz audiences, but highly interesting to the younger listeners, who are exposed to electronic sounds on a daily basis and should find this music familiar enough to explore it further. Definitely worth investigating!
Updated: 19/08/2023Posted: 19/08/2023CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

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