Record Reviews

PAUL GONSALVES ~ HUMMING BIRD VOCALION 8404 (Barcode: 765387840426) ~ USA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005 American tenor saxophonist Paul GonsalvesFind albums by this artist belongs to the same school of big tone / lush virtuosi like Coleman HawkinsFind albums by this artist and Ben WebsterFind albums by this artist, who spent most of his playing career with Big Bands, lead by Count BasieFind albums by this artist, Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and Dizzy GillespieFind albums by this artist. Therefore this particular album is especially interesting, as it captures Gonsalves in a small combo situation and additionally his fellow musicians are all young British players, who were used to play modern Jazz, rather than American mainstream. The “old timer” proves that he can stand up to the challenge with flying colors and delivers his usual fluent solos, invigorated by the flow of energy present in the studio. He is accompanied by a group of splendid musicians, which includes trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, trombonist Dave HorlerFind albums by this artist, pianists Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist and Alan BranscombeFind albums by this artist, bassists Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist and drummer Benny GoodmanFind albums by this artist. The material includes mostly Jazz standards with one original composition by Stan Tracy. Good mainstream Jazz, but lovers of the British scene will surely enjoy the contributions by Wheeler and both pianist in an unusual setting.

Updated: 14/08/2021Posted:

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STAN TRACEY ~ THE 1959 SESSIONS RESTEAMED 116 (Barcode: 5060138617162) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1959 Released: 2022 This is a sensational archival album by one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz, pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. It presents eight previously unreleased tracks recorded in June 1959 at the Decca studios and intended to be released as a follow-up album to Tracey’s second album as a leader “Little KlunkFind albums with this title”, released in early 1959, but strangely forgotten. The tracks were recorded by two trios, both with Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist on bass, and with drummer Tony CrombieFind albums by this artist on the first four tracks, which are standards, and drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist on the next four tracks, which are original compositions by Tracey. The recording quality of all the tracks is absolutely perfect, which of course adds to the joy. The music is as brilliant as one might expect, with Tracey and the lads having obviously great fun and playing their hearts out. Clearly the tracks with Seamen are much more exciting and modernist, with his brilliant drumming technique, way ahead of its time, dominating the proceedings, as appropriate for his legendary status. Tracey demonstrates the early exposure of his idiosyncratic approach to Jazz piano playing, with the typical attack on the keyboard and a barrage of single notes, rather than playing chords, perhaps influenced by the fact that he also played the vibraphone, which can be heard here on one track. Overall, this is another superb addition to the Stan Tracey discography, thanks to his son Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist and the ReSteamedFind albums on this label Records label, which is doing a great job keeping the memory and music alive. This is an absolute must to all Tracey followers and thanks for bringing this music to our lives!

Updated: 06/01/2023Posted: 06/01/2023

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STAN TRACEY ~ THREE CLASSIC ALBUMS PLUS AVID 1044 (Barcode: 5022810304425) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 2003 Released: 2011 This is a marvelous collection of early recordings by the Godfather of modern British Jazz, pianist / vibraphonist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. It includes the first two albums Tracey recorded as a leader: "ShowcaseFind albums with this title" (from 1958) and "Little KlunkFind albums with this title" (from 1959) and the only album by the short-lived octet Jazz Inc.Find albums by this artist led by drummer / composer / bandleader Tony CrombieFind albums by this artist, which features Tracey on piano. The "Plus" comprises of four tracks by the Stan Tracey quartet featuring Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist (from 1959), a couple of tracks by the Harry KleinFind albums by this artist Quintet featuring Stan Tracey on piano (from 1955) and a trio recording by guitarist Jon WheatleyFind albums by this artist, bassist Andy CleyndertFind albums by this artist and Tracey from 2003 (not really belonging to this set but what the heck). This collection is not only highly entertaining, but also very educational, as it traces the development of Modern British Jazz, which started as a formidable adaptation of the American Jazz tradition and gradually developed into a completely new and even separate Jazz idiom. The comparison between "Showcase" and "Little Klunk" is particularly fascinating, as these two albums are light years apart from each other, although in fact they were recorded only one year between each other. The former, recorded in a trio / quartet setting features Tracey on piano and vibraphone, with guitarists Ike IsaacsFind albums by this artist or Ray DempseyFind albums by this artist, bassists Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist or Johnny HawksworthFind albums by this artist and drummers Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist or Ronnie VerrellFind albums by this artist (the piano pieces are trios and the vibraphone pieces are quartets). All the music on this album consists of standards and stylistically the music moves between Swing and Bebop, with Tracey obviously already listening closely to the American pioneers stepping beyond, especially Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist. The latter album, however, recorded in a trio format with Napper and Seamen features all original compositions by Tracey and clearly defines his original voice, which moves away quite radically from both Swing and Bebop, but not yet as advanced as it will become in not too distant future. The work of the magnificent Phil Seamen heard here is of course priceless, considering his tragically short life. The Jazz Inc. live recording is also a typical example of the British scene at the time, with the octet playing mostly original material by its members, with just a couple of standards thrown in for good measure. Excellent soloing by all the musicians and the accomplished Big Band sound are a superb nostalgic memento. The Tracey / Hayes tracks recorded by the BBC World Service for "export to former colonies", is a rare opportunity to hear these two Giants together, which happened only very rarely. The guitar trio tracks added here seemingly simply to "fill the time" prove to be the least interesting per se, although of course perfectly well played. Overall this collection, digitally remastered and very reasonably priced, is a true gem and an essential part of every modern British Jazz record collection. A must!

Updated: 26/01/2016Posted: 26/01/2016

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RAY WARLEIGH ~ FIRST ALBUM SUNBEAM 5020 (Barcode: 5051125502011) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 Australian born saxophonist / flautist / composer Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest musicians on the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s. He was not only playing at the regular Jazz venues around London, but was also a member of the backup group of singer Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who was at the peak of his popularity at the time. Walker, although extremely successful as a Pop artists, had a keen musical ear and was trying to get away from the sugary Pop image by employing some of the best Jazz musicians at the time In his band, which was led by no other than the legendary Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist. Walker used his influence with his label (PhilipsFind albums on this label) to offer a recording opportunity to some of the young and extremely talented musicians in the band, which led to the recording of this debut album by Ray Warleigh. Warleigh would become famous later for playing on album by the top Rock stars like Nick DrakeFind albums by this artist, Elton JohnFind albums by this artist, U2Find albums by this artist, Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist and many more. The format chosen for this album was “Jazz & strings”, which suited Warleigh’s superbly clear and lyrical style perfectly. The chosen material (all standards) was beautifully arranged for a large string orchestra and a Jazz rhythm section, which included some of the best British Jazz players at the time, like Gordon BackFind albums by this artist on piano, Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist on bass and Terry CoxFind albums by this artist on drums. The resulting album is a stunning debut, beautifully executed by all the musicians involved, and showing Warleigh to be a world class player, who can improvise freely and yet always stay within the melodic line. Jazz & strings albums have a tendency to fall into the “land of saccharine” very easily, but fortunately this is well avoided here, producing a most enjoyable Jazz album full of integrity and showmanship. It’s great to have this forgotten gem back in circulation.

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