Record Reviews
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  | JOHNNY ALMOND / MUSIC MACHINE ~ PATENT PENDING
VOCALION 8417 (Barcode: 765387841720) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005
Multi-instrumentalist / composer Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist was one of the most versatile and in-demand players on the British scene in the late 1960s. A member of the Alan Price SetFind albums by this artist, he also led a septet of young up-and-coming musicians called Johnny Almond Music MachineFind albums by this artist, which recorded two albums of which this is the first. Soon after recording this album Almond joined the new version of John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, which recorded the revolutionary The Turning PointFind albums with this title album. In that group he met guitarist Jon MarkFind albums by this artist, with whom he formed one of the best British Jazz-Rock groups – Mark-AlmondFind albums by this artist. Bass player Roger SuttonFind albums by this artist (ex-Brian AugerFind albums by this artist’s TrinityFind albums by this artist), who plays on this album, was also a founding member of Mark-Almond and would later be e member of Riff RaffFind albums by this artist and NucleusFind albums by this artist. Another player, the drummer Alan WhiteFind albums by this artist, would later join the legendary YesFind albums by this artist. This album is a splendid example of early Jazz-Rock, with strong Rhythm And Blues influences. Almond plays tenor, alto and baritone saxophones, flute, alto flute, organ, vibes, mellotron and bass clarinet – surely deserving the “music machine” nickname. His virtuosity (my favorite being his flute playing) is obvious. He also composed all but one of the eight tunes included here. Overall this is an excellent album and a great trip down the memory lane. Wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JON MARK ~ ALHAMBRA
KUCKUCK 11100 (Barcode: 013711110029) ~ UK ~ Electronic & Ambient
Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992
This is a solo album by British guitarist / vocalist / composer Jon MarkFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks composed, orchestrated and performed by Mark.
Mark is one of my all-time favorite artists from the British Jazz / Jazz-Rock scene, when he was a member of John MayallFind albums by this artist’s bands and later co-led the brilliant Mark-AlmondFind albums by this artist group with saxophonists Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist. The series of stunning albums Mark-Almond recorded in the 1970s are all absolutely stunning and lost nothing of their charm to this day. Mark left UK for New Zealand in the mid-1980s and there continued his solo career, releasing a series of Ambient / New Age / World Music albums, this one being one of them.
As the title suggests, the music on this album is soaked in Spanish / Flamenco motives, telling the story of the Alhambra palace in Granada, one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world. The overall ambience of the synthesizer created music reflects the New Age trend that dominated the mid-1990s, but the music is excellent, reflecting Mark’s talent, which is undeniable.
Overall, this is an excellent reminder of Jon Mark, a great musician, who sadly left us in 2021, who’s music, regardless of its stylistic direction, was always a source of joy and a testament of great taste.
| | Updated: 25/06/2026Posted: 25/06/2026 | CD 1 Gold Recommend To A Friend |
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