Record Reviews

JACKSON HEIGHTS ~ BUMP `N` GRIND ESOTERIC 2172 (Barcode: 5013929727229) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1973 Released: 2010 4th and last album by British Prog band Jackson HeightsFind albums by this artist formed by bassist / vocalist Lee JacksonFind albums by this artist following the folding of the NiceFind albums by this artist in 1970. The band was basically a trio with guitarist John McBurnieFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Brian ChattonFind albums by this artist. Ex-King CrimsonFind albums by this artist drummers Mike GilesFind albums by this artist and Ian WallaceFind albums by this artist played the drum parts and several other musicians also help out. Orchestral arrangements were also used on this album, expanding the band´s sound considerably. On this album they played original material written mostly by the keyboardist. The band had a unique sound and style, which combined different musical influences from Folk to Jazz, and lost nothing of its charm in time. Mostly forgotten in the years gone by, this reissue is a nice reminder of how good the band was. Recommended!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JACKSON HEIGHTS ~ RAGAMUFFINS FOOL ESOTERIC 2171 (Barcode: 5013929727120) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2010 3rd album by British Prog band Jackson HeightsFind albums by this artist formed by bassist / vocalist Lee JacksonFind albums by this artist following the folding of the NiceFind albums by this artist in 1970. The band was basically a trio with guitarist John McBurnieFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Brian ChattonFind albums by this artist. Ex-King CrimsonFind albums by this artist drummer Mike GilesFind albums by this artist plays the drum parts and several other musicians also help out. On this album they played original material written mostly by the guitarist, with one tune revisiting the Nice days. The band had a unique sound and style, which combined different musical influences from Folk to Jazz, and lost nothing of its charm in time. Mostly forgotten in the years gone by, this reissue is a nice reminder of how good the band was. Recommended!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JACKSON HEIGHTS ~ THE FIFTH AVENUE BUS ESOTERIC 2170 (Barcode: 5013929727021) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1972 Released: 2010 2nd album by British Prog band Jackson HeightsFind albums by this artist formed by bassist / vocalist Lee JacksonFind albums by this artist following the folding of the NiceFind albums by this artist in 1970. The band was basically a trio with guitarist John McBurnieFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Brian ChattonFind albums by this artist. Ex-King CrimsonFind albums by this artist drummer Mike GilesFind albums by this artist played the drum parts and several other musicians also helped out. On this album they played original material written mostly by the guitarist. The band had a unique sound and style, which combined different musical influences from Folk to Jazz, and lost nothing of its charm in time. Mostly forgotten in the years gone by, this reissue is a nice reminder of how good the band was. Recommended!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

REFUGEE ~ LIVE IN CONCERT - NEWCASTLE CITY HALL 1974 VOICEPRINT 421 (Barcode: 604388327225) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2007 Considering the fact that the legendary band RefugeeFind albums by this artist, formed in 1973 by two ex-NiceFind albums by this artist members Lee JacksonFind albums by this artist and Brian DavisonFind albums by this artist with the Swiss keyboards wizard Patrick MorazFind albums by this artist, recorded only one studio album and disbanded after less than a year with Moraz leaving to join YesFind albums by this artist, every piece of their recorded legacy is an absolute revelation. Add to this the surprisingly high quality of the recording and you have an amazing piece of Prog history on your hands. The concert includes most of the material from the studio album, but the live versions are extensively expanded to include longer solos and variations. All three musicians perform beautifully with Moraz expressing his virtuosity to the limit (and beyond). A couple of non-album tracks are also present, these of course never previously heard. It is a great pity that these recordings were to be the last recorded documents of Jackson and Davison for over 30 years (until the Nice reunion). The word of Prog would have been even richer if they continued their careers. Moraz was of course to be a central figure on the Prog scene for many years and recorded extensively. This is an absolute essential piece of Prog history and I know very few Prog fans that would miss this item in their collection.

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

REFUGEE ~ REFUGEE TIME WAVE 002 (Barcode: 604388669622) ~ SWITZERLAND ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1974 Released: 2006 Only album by the classic Prog group RefugeeFind albums by this artist, which at the time was viewed as an attempt to revive the glorious days of The NiceFind albums by this artist as it featured two ex-Nice members (Lee JacksonFind albums by this artist and Brian DavisonFind albums by this artist) and was fronted by a virtuoso keyboards player – Patrick MorazFind albums by this artist. The album is a great showcase of Patrick’s abilities as a player and composer and includes two lengthy suites (17 and 18 minutes long) in the best tradition of Prog instrumental music. It is a real shame they managed to record only one album before disbanding. Moraz would of course later join YesFind albums by this artist (and achieve international recognition) and then The Moody BluesFind albums by this artist. This album remained unavailable for many years on CD and is one of the most sought after Prog releases in history.

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