Record Reviews

STEVE HILLAGE ~ MOTIVATION RADIO (EXPANDED EDITION) VIRGIN 373425 (Barcode: 094637342527) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1977 Released: 2007 3rd album by Steve HillageFind albums by this artist also recorded (same as its predecessor) in the US. Hillage was trying to expand the scope of his music beyond the Prog and Canterbury genres he was associated with and to include other elements, especially Funk, which he found interesting at the time. He approached the legendary producer Malcolm CecilFind albums by this artist (producer of FunkadelicFind albums by this artist) who agreed to produce the album. The resulting music is much lighter and funkier that the previous albums, bearing less Psychedelic elements. Steve is the main soloist and his guitar playing on this album is definitely some of his finest ever. Miquette GiraudyFind albums by this artist adds some tasty spacey keyboards and the rhythm section provides a strong steady basis for Hillage’s extended guitar outings. Steve’s compositions are also particularly strong here and the album stands the test of time fabulously. Definitely a classic and a must for all Hillage fans.

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RONNIE SCOTT QUARTET ~ BBC JAZZ CLUB 1964-1966 RHYTHM AND BLUES 063 (Barcode: 5060331752219) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1966 Released: 2020 This is an archival album by the British Jazz quartet led by legendary saxophonist Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist, known worldwide as the co-owner / co-founder (with Pete KingFind albums by this artist) of London’s most iconic Jazz Club, established in 1959 and located first at 39 Gerrard Street and in 1965 moved to the nearby current location (yes the club is still functional today) at 47 Frith Street. In all those years the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club became the de facto European Mecca not only for British Jazz, but for top Jazz Artists from all over the world. The album presents three sessions featuring the quartet: three tracks from 1964 (with an announcement by Scott) with pianist Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, bassist Malcolm CecilFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist; three tracks from 1965 with Tracey, bassist Rick LairdFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronnie StephensonFind albums by this artist; and finally five tracks from 1966 (with announcements by Humphrey LittletonFind albums by this artist) with Tracey, bassist Freddy LoganFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill EydenFind albums by this artist with great American vocalist Mark MurphyFind albums by this artist (resident at that time in UK) on two tracks, accompanied only by the piano trio. The music is all mainstream Jazz and all the tracks are standards, but it shows Scott as an excellent player with a personal delivery and a keen eye (well ear) for the musicians he selected for the quartet, which were definitely some of the finest players around at the time. Tracey of course was also a full-fledged composer and leader of his own, and was the house pianist at Ronnie’s Jazz Club for over seven years (1960-1967), definitely not by chance. Although Scott himself was not swept by the charms of the British Jazz revolution, which created a new sound and approach to the music, and remained faithful to the American (mostly Bebop) tradition, he was very open-minded as a person and respected the young and experimenting generation. He offered the club at the old location for as long as the lease lasted, which was named the “Old Place”, to be used by young musicians to rehearse and perform and the “house musician” position was offered to such distinguished modernist as Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist. Overall this album is a nice reminder of Scott – the saxophonist and is a valuable addition to his recorded legacy, especially since this material is available here for the first time and offers quite reasonable sound quality.

Updated: 10/07/2021Posted: 10/07/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend