Record Reviews
14 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | AMALGAM ~ ANOTHER TIME
FMR 116 (Barcode: 649849981615) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1976 Released: 2003
5th album by the superb British Jazz / Improvised Music ensemble AmalgamFind albums by this artist, one of the precursors of British / European Free Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup is a quartet, including guitarist Steve HaytonFind albums by this artist, bassist Pete CowlingFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, which marks the beginning of the second phase of Amalgam, which is characterized by the dual saxophone – guitar frontline. The music is written entirely by Watts, who after the departure of drummer John StevensFind albums by this artist became the group´s main composer. This album was originally released on the tiny German independent VinylFind albums on this label label, and was unavailable for many years, which is now rectified by this CD issue. With the guitar and electric bass the sound of the band changes completely, with a distinct Fusion feel, but the dexterity and obvious genius are still the same as always. This is probably the most accessible Amalgam album ever recorded and young listeners, ignorant of the band´s Improvised Music roots should be able to enjoy it immensely. This is still a classic, although a different cup of tea altogether. Brilliant stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | AMALGAM ~ DEEP
FMR 127 (Barcode: 649849981677) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2003
7th album by the superb British Jazz / Improvised Music ensemble AmalgamFind albums by this artist, one of the precursors of British / European Free Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup is a quartet, including guitarist Dave ColeFind albums by this artist, bassists Harry MillerFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, which marks the second phase of Amalgam, characterized by the dual saxophone – guitar frontline. The music is written entirely by Watts. This album was originally released on the tiny German independent VinylFind albums on this label label, and was unavailable for many years, which is now rectified by this CD issue. With the guitar and double electric bass the sound of the band becomes even more close to Fusion, but the extended improvisations and the virtuosity of the performers are still the same as always. This is again quite an accessible Amalgam album ever and easily enjoyed both by Jazz and Fusion adventurous music fans. This is still a classic and brilliant stuff as always!
| | | CD-R 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | AMALGAM ~ OVER THE RAINBOW
FMR 132 (Barcode: 649849981745) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2003
9th album by the superb British Jazz / Improvised Music ensemble AmalgamFind albums by this artist, one of the precursors of British / European Free Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup is a quartet, including guitarist Keith RoweFind albums by this artist, bassist Colin McKenzieFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, the last stable lineup of the ensemble before it disbanded in 1980 marking 13 years of activity. The music is written by Watts or is spontaneously composed and was recorded live. This album was originally released on the ArcFind albums on this label label, owned by Watts, and was unavailable for many years, which is now rectified by this CD issue. With the guitar and electric bass the sound of the band is close to Fusion, but with the extended improvisations, complete freedom of expression and virtuosity of the performers the music retains all of the qualities of Improvised Music remaining relatively accessible. This set includes visionary, complex and dense music, which is completely unique and unprecedented. Listeners looking for a total musical experience should look no further. This is classic and brilliant stuff in every respect!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | AMALGAM ~ SAMANNA
FMR 125 (Barcode: 649849981608) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1977 Released: 2003
6th album by the superb British Jazz / Improvised Music ensemble AmalgamFind albums by this artist, one of the precursors of British / European Free Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup is a quintet, including guitarist Dave ColeFind albums by this artist, bassists Pete CowlingFind albums by this artist and Colin McKenzieFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, which marks an extension of the quartet that recorded the previous album at beginning of the second phase of Amalgam, characterized by the dual saxophone – guitar frontline. The music is written entirely by Watts. This album was originally released on the tiny German independent VinylFind albums on this label label, and was unavailable for many years, which is now rectified by this CD issue. With the guitar and double electric bass the sound of the band becomes even more close to Fusion, but the extended improvisations and the virtuosity of the performers are still the same as always. This is again quite an accessible Amalgam album ever and easily enjoyed both by Jazz and Fusion adventurous music fans. This is still a classic and brilliant stuff as always!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | AMALGAM ~ WIPE OUT
FMR 111 (Barcode: 649849982445) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2007
10th and final recording by the superb British Jazz / Improvised Music ensemble AmalgamFind albums by this artist, one of the precursors of British / European Free Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist. On this album the lineup is a quartet, including guitarist Keith RoweFind albums by this artist, bassists Colin McKenzieFind albums by this artist and George LyleFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, the last stable lineup of the ensemble before it disbanded in 1980 marking 13 years of activity. The music is written by Watts or is spontaneously composed and was recorded live during Amalgam´s last British tour. This album was originally released on the legendary independent ImpetusFind albums on this label label as a 6 LPs set, and was unavailable for many years, which is now rectified by this CD issue. With the guitar and electric bass the sound of the band is close to Fusion, but with the extended improvisations, complete freedom of expression and virtuosity of the performers the music retains all of the qualities of Improvised Music remaining relatively accessible. This set includes three hours of visionary, complex and dense music, which is completely unique and unprecedented. Listeners looking for a total musical experience should look no further. This is classic and brilliant stuff in every respect!
| | | CD 3 Recommend To A Friend |
  | PSYCHIC WARRIOR ~ PSYCHIC WARRIOR
HUX 059 (Barcode: 682970000596) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 2003 Released: 2004
Only album by the brilliant, but short-lived British quartet comprising of keyboardist Alex MaguireFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, bassist Fred BakerFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. The first three musicians in the lineup are of course associated with the Canterbury scene, mostly on the Free Jazz and Improvised Music side of the genre. Maguire wrote most of the music for this session, with Dean co-composing one track. The music is, as always in the case of such great musicians, a brilliant display of both individual virtuosity and group improvisation, which need little introduction to connoisseurs of the genre. In view of Dean´s death, this is one of the latest studio sessions he played on and therefore a treasure. Not to be missed!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS / LIAM GENOCKEY ~ THE ART IS IN THE RHYTHM
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 39 (Barcode: 5060774190418) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1989 Released: 2022
I have been following the Artistry of British saxophonist / composer / bandleader Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist for almost six decades now, starting with the early days of SMEFind albums by this artist (Spontaneous Music EnsembleFind albums by this artist) and later AmalgamFind albums by this artist, Moire MusicFind albums by this artist, London Jazz Composers` OrchestraFind albums by this artist and his work with other British and international improvisers, which over the years amasses to a vast recorded legacy, surely one of the most impressive achievements of the British Improvised Music scene and beyond. We are so lucky to have him around with us, still contributing new music continuously, although this album is of a retrospective / archival nature, documenting Watts’ duets with Irish drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist, who earned his fame on the British Folk-Rock scene, but in fact was active on the British Jazz, Jazz-Rock and Improvised Music scene as well, including his work with Watts as early as 1976, when he became a member of Amalgam.
This archival album presents three improvised pieces, recorded over three decades ago, two of which last almost half an hour and the remaining one half that time, which of course is nothing exceptional in Improvised Music. The recording offers an excellent sound quality and separation (drums on the far left and saxophones on the far right), which allows the listener to enjoy the phenomenal interplay between the two musicians, who converse, exchange ideas and dance around each other in perfect accord.
Improvised Music tends to be mostly a spur of the moment affair, which is a brilliant, but often sadly of very temporary nature. Most improvised concerts do not manage to encapsulate the energy and emotional delivery when transferred to a recording, which a listener would return to repeatedly. This recording manages to break the pattern, and certainly offers enough aesthetic and artistic value, which is worth keeping for posterity and listening to, since it offers a timeless tale of human communication, not only on the musical plane, but also on a perceptional “higher” plane, which is not even possible to be explained verbally and has to be experienced at first hand in order to participate in the event. Of course the Masterly abilities of both these musicians are plainly evident herein, and as the title suggests, it is worth to listen carefully to the rhythmic effect of this music, which of course is present not only in the drum parts.
As usual kudos to the people behind the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which keeps all the British Jazz fans around the globe hooked on its excellent output, which never ceases to deliver exactly what we all wish to hear.
Overall, this is another excellent piece of the puzzle, which presents the diverse musical history of the British Jazz, which remains to be a wonderful treasure chest, which sometime seems like a bottomless pit, considering the amount of music it offers time and again.
| | Updated: 26/09/2022Posted: 26/09/2022 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS / MOIRE MUSIC ~ LIVE IN KARLSRUHE
FMR 232 (Barcode: 649849982810) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1989 Released: 2007
Live recording by the Moire MusicFind albums by this artist ensemble, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist after his previous band, AmalgamFind albums by this artist, disbanded. In contrast to Amalgam, Moire Music is a large ensemble, varying in size around 10 members, and often features a brass section, a string section and an expanded percussion section, including African drums. In contrast to Amalgam´s music, which was based mainly on a small group improvisation, this ensemble performs music which is well structured and arranged, but allows plenty of individual improvisation to take place. It also tends to include many World Music elements, incorporating them into the Jazz framework. This particular lineup of the ensemble includes the esteemed saxophone player Simon PicardFind albums by this artist. The drummer is another ex-Amalgam member Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. This material was previously unreleased and is a most welcome addition to this band´s recorded legacy. It goes without saying that the music is brilliant, as anything Watts is associated with, I can hardly imagine a Jazz enthusiast who would remain impartial to these performances, while listening to this music and my warm recommendation is self-explanatory. Great stuff!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS / MOIRE MUSIC ~ MOIRE MUSIC
FMR 250 (Barcode: 649849983053) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1985 Released: 2008
Debut album by the Moire MusicFind albums by this artist ensemble, founded by saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist after his previous band, AmalgamFind albums by this artist, disbanded. In contrast to Amalgam, Moire Music is a large ensemble, varying in size around 10 members, and often features a brass section, a string section and an expanded percussion section, including African drums. In contrast to Amalgam´s music, which was based mainly on a small group improvisation, this ensemble performs music which is well structured and arranged, but allows plenty of individual improvisation to take place. It also tends to include many World Music elements, incorporating them into the Jazz framework. This particular lineup of the ensemble includes the legendary saxophonist Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist and another esteemed saxophone player Simon PicardFind albums by this artist. The drummer is another ex-Amalgam member Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live and the original album was released on the independent ArcFind albums on this label label, owned by Watts. Unavailable for many years, this is a long overdue first appearance on CD, which of course is most welcome. It goes without saying that the music is brilliant, as anything Watts is associated with, I can hardly imagine a Jazz enthusiast who would remain impartial to these performances, while listening to this music and my warm recommendation is self-explanatory. Great stuff!
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS / MOIRE MUSIC ~ WITH ONE VOICE
FMR 108 (Barcode: 649849981523) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1988 Released: 2002
2nd album by the Moire MusicFind albums by this artist ensemble, founded by saxophonist Trevor Watts after his previous band, AmalgamFind albums by this artist, disbanded. In contrast to Amalgam, Moire Music is a large ensemble, varying in size around 10 members, and often features a brass section, a string section and an expanded percussion section, including African drums. In contrast to Amalgam´s music, which was based mainly on a small group improvisation, this ensemble performs music which is well structured and arranged, but allows plenty of individual improvisation to take place. It also tends to include many World Music elements, incorporating them into the Jazz framework. This particular lineup of the ensemble includes the esteemed saxophone player Simon PicardFind albums by this artist. The drummer is another ex-Amalgam member Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live and the original album was released on the independent ArcFind albums on this label label, owned by Watts. Unavailable for many years, this is a long overdue first appearance on CD, which of course is most welcome. It goes without saying that the music is brilliant, as anything Watts is associated with, I can hardly imagine a Jazz enthusiast who would remain impartial to these performances, while listening to this music and my warm recommendation is self-explanatory. Great stuff!
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | TREVOR WATTS` ORIGINAL DRUM ORCHESTRA ~ THE ART IS IN THE RHYTHM VOLUME 2
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 46 (Barcode: 5060774190531) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 1989 Released: 2023
This is an archival live recording by the veteran British saxophonist / composer / bandleader Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist and his Original Drum OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which included violinist Peter KnightFind albums by this artist, bassist Ernest MothleFind albums by this artist, African percussionists Nana TsiboeFind albums by this artist and Kofi AduFind albums by this artist and drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. The six lengthy improvised tracks were captured at two gigs, which were part of a tour the group played in 1989. The CD is dedicated to the memory of the two percussionist, who are now departed.
The music is all improvised, but differs significantly from what is usually conceived as European Free Jazz / Improvised Music due to the presence of the African Music elements, which have a prevailing rhythmic presence. With the saxophone and violin being the only melodic contributors to the music, the percussive elements dominate the proceedings, offering a wide range of pulsations, which keep changing as the pieces develop. It is possibly one of the most vivid examples of African Music within the British Improvised Music idiom, and of course it does continue Watts’ fascination with such musical elements, as present in his ensembles Moire MusicFind albums by this artist and Drum OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which were active during the 1980s and 1990s.
Watts’ improvisations are of course as fascinating as always, obviously highly inspired by the powerful rhythmic elements present herein, and he often exposes his lyrical / melodic persona, which is able to weave beautiful gentle tunes as well.
The music is very well recorded and offers a truly hypnotic ride, which thanks to the extensive duration of the tunes, often close and even over the half an hour mark, absorbs the listener completely for the duration. The more inquisitive listeners might delight in the interplay between the two percussionists and the drummer, who build a trans-continental Euro-African rhythmic understanding and co-existence.
As usual, thanks to the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label for releasing this archival material, for the excellent booklet and photographs and as usual for keeping this Cultural Heritage alive.
Overall, this is again a great addition to the British Jazz legacy, which keeps growing steadily and closing the gaps that time created, for those of us who are always thirsty to hear music, which should not be forgotten. Keep up this splendid job my Friends! And Trevor – may you keep playing for many years to come!
| | Updated: 23/07/2023Posted: 23/07/2023 | CD 2 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ANNIE WHITEHEAD ~ THE GATHERING
PROVOCATEUR 1022 (Barcode: 5038491102229) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000
British trombonist / composer Annie WhiteheadFind albums by this artist earned her legendary status working on the local scene since the late 1970s in an incredible variety of settings, spanning everything from Pop & Rock and up to Free Jazz. Her amazing versatility and technical proficiency made her a most appreciated session musician and a reliable band member. Over the years she played practically with countless British Jazz players, both the older and newer generation. She started to lead her own ensembles since the mid-1980s. Her reputation spreads worldwide beyond the British Isles and she also played with many internationally renowned Jazz musicians. This album, her debut for the prestigious ProvocateurFind albums on this label label, finds her leading her own quintet, which includes the gifted keyboardist Steve LodderFind albums by this artist and veteran drummer Liam GenockeyFind albums by this artist. On one of the tracks the legendary Robert WyattFind albums by this artist adds his vocal and instrumental contributions. The music, mostly composed by Annie, covers a wide variety of styles, from Funk, World Music influences and contemporary Jazz. Performed with her usual fire and grace, and always technically brilliant, the album is a lovely portrait of Annie’s charm and abilities. Lovers of trombone will of course see this as a must, but any Jazz fan should find some aspects of this album to be both interesting and pleasurable. Worth investigating.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
|
