Record Reviews
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  | BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH ~ BREMEN TO BRIDGWATER CUNEIFORM 182/183 (Barcode: 045775018225) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 - 1975 Released: 2004
This albums collects three concerts recorded by the legendary British Jazz ensemble Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist, led by pianist / composer Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist. The first recording captures the ensemble in its early days (1971) whereas the other two come from four years later (1975), towards the end of the life cycle of the first edition of the band, which came to its end with the death of trumpeter Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist just a month after the last of these concerts was recorded. The collective lineup (which changed slightly over time) includes: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, Marc CharigFind albums by this artist and Mongezi Feza trumpet, Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Radu MalfattiFind albums by this artist trombone, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Bruce GrantFind albums by this artist and Gary WindoFind albums by this artist saxophone, Chris McGregor piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist bass and Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist and Keith BaileyFind albums by this artist drums. It is interesting to compare the development of the ensemble over this relatively short time period and see how well integrated musically and spiritually the ensemble really was. Both the individual and collective improvisations are all breathtaking and the entire concert is an orgy of sound and musical creativity. A must to all British Jazz enthusiasts and definitely worth investigating for all open-minded music lovers.
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  | BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH ~ ECLIPSE AT DAWN CUNEIFORM 262 (Barcode: 045775026220) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2008
This splendid recording by the legendary British Jazz ensemble Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist, led by pianist / composer Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist, captures the band at the Berliner Jazztage festival and presents the initial phase in their development as one of the most original and influential bands of the era. The lineup (which kept changing slightly over time) includes: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist and Marc CharigFind albums by this artist trumpet, Nick EvansFind albums by this artist and Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist trombone, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Gary WindoFind albums by this artist saxophone, Chris McGregor piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist bass and Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist drums. The combination of Jazz, Free Improvisation and African music intermixed in a unique way creates a vibrant and challenging musical experience, which had no equal at the time. McGregors clever compositions are ideal vehicles for the individual and collective improvisations and the energy and fire this band has to offer transcends time and space, making it accessible to every connoisseur of good music on this planet. The music remains as valid and brilliant as it was at the time of the recording and its great to have it commercially released at last. Warmly recommended!
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  | BROTHERHOOD OF BREATH ~ TRAVELLING SOMEWHERE CUNEIFORM 152 (Barcode: 045775015224) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 Released: 2001
The saga of the British ensemble Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist and their leader pianist / composer Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist stretches back in time and space to South Africa in the early-1960s, where McGregor founded the first mixed-race Jazz group in the country, the Blue NotesFind albums by this artist. For the Apartheid regime mixed-race groups were hardly a welcome activity and the group suffered many hardships and found it difficult to perform for the white public. In 1964 the group got permission to travel to Europe and eventually arrived in London, where they decided to stay. The Blue Notes played around UK initially as a sextet (McGregor piano, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist alto sax, Nick MoyakeFind albums by this artist tenor sax, Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist trumpet, Johnny DyaniFind albums by this artist bass and Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist drums) and later as a quintet (after Moyake returned to SA). In spite of the fact that they were one of the most innovative and inspiring Jazz acts at the time, they never achieved proper recognition. The pioneering work of Jazz-World Fusion, with the emphasis on African music, which the group presented, was surely quite ahead of its time. By the early 1970s McGregor managed to form a large ensemble, combining the Blue Notes players with some of the most prominent British Jazz musicians of the time, which was called Brotherhood Of Breath. The resulting ensemble was surely one of the highlights of the British Jazz scene in the early to mid-1970s, offering an incredibly powerful stage act, which included a superb amalgam of modern Jazz, Free, Improvised Music and strong African music influence. The ensemble recorded but a few studio albums, but luckily many of their splendid concerts were recorded by radio stations and festivals, mostly around Europe, where they were always received warmly. This album documents a performance captured by the German Radio Bremen and is a superb example of what they were all about. The lineup (which changed slightly over time) includes: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, Marc CharigFind albums by this artist and Mongezi Feza trumpet, Nick EvansFind albums by this artist and Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist trombone, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, Dudu Pukwana and Gary WindoFind albums by this artist saxophone, Chris McGregor piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist bass and Louis Moholo drums. Both the individual and collective improvisations are all breathtaking and the entire concert is an orgy of sound and musical creativity. A must to all British Jazz enthusiasts and definitely worth investigating for all open-minded music lovers.
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