Record Reviews

DON AIREY ~ ONE OF A KIND (EXTENDED EDITION) EAR MUSIC 4029759126393 (Barcode: 4029759126393) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 2016 - 2017 Released: 2018 This is the 6th studio album by British Rock keyboardist Don AireyFind albums by this artist, primarily known as a member of the iconic Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, where he replaced Jon LordFind albums by this artist in 2001. The album was recorded with vocalist Carl SentanceFind albums by this artist, guitarist Simon McBrideFind albums by this artist, bassist Laurence CottleFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon FinniganFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, ten songs and one instrumental, all originals co-written by Airey, Sentance and McBride. This Extended Edition includes a second CD with live material recorded by the same band in Hamburg, not including any of the songs from the studio album. Not surprisingly, the album sounds quite similar to Deep Purple, a mixture of Classic Rock and melodic Hard Rock, brilliantly performed by all these seasoned instrumentalists and with superb vocals by Sentence. All the songs on the album are just perfect for this kind of music, and although they sound as if originating some fifty years earlier, this is exactly what some of us like to hear occasionally. Airey plays some brilliant keyboard parts as does McBride, again in perfect tradition of the 1970s, and these musicians know exactly what they are doing, note after note. If someone likes the music of Deep Purple, it is simply impossible not to like this stuff. And of course they are every bit as good live as they are in the studio! Overall, this is a perfect extension of the music of Deep Purple, and for the many fans the band still has around the world, this is exactly what the doctor prescribed. Excellent musicianship and vocals make this a true delight from start to finish. A taste of grandmother’s cake? Who cares, if you were born at the right period, you know what I mean…

Updated: 01/04/2024Posted: 01/04/2024

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LONDON TROMBONE QUARTET ~ SOME OF OUR BEST FRIENDS ASC 011 (Barcode: 5029716000239) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is the only album by the British Jazz ensemble called London Trombone QuartetFind albums by this artist, which consisted of four trombonists: Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, Richard EdwardsFind albums by this artist, Mark NightingaleFind albums by this artist and Dave StewartFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with some top British Jazz musicians active at the time: pianists Pete SabertonFind albums by this artist, John HorlerFind albums by this artist and Dave ArchFind albums by this artist, bassists Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist, Geraint RobertsFind albums by this artist and Laurence CottleFind albums by this artist, drummers Ian ThomasFind albums by this artist and Dave BryantFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, Pete HurtFind albums by this artist, Andy MacintoshFind albums by this artist, Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Dave O`HigginsFind albums by this artist, guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist, percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Gerard PresencerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions by Beachill (3), Sultzmann (2), and one each by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Arch, Nightingale, Colin TownsFind albums by this artist, Dick WalterFind albums by this artist and Saberton. Although Wheeler did not play on this album, one of his tunes was recorded. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is a marvelous example of modern British Jazz, based on excellent original compositions and performed by the crème de la crème of British Jazz musicians active in the 1990s. The trombone quartet was quite a unique ensemble of course and they offered very unique arrangements featuring the trombone at the focus, proving the possibilities of the instrument in the hands of great musicians. Overall, this is an excellent British Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for to discover the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 06/04/2023Posted: 06/04/2023

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