Record Reviews

CRÈME ANGLAISE ~ CRÈME ANGLAISE GONZO 012 (Barcode: 5060230860404) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 Released: 2010 Debut album by British Jazz sextet Crème AnglaiseFind albums by this artist led by veteran keyboardist / composer Mark HartFind albums by this artist (of SupertrampFind albums by this artist fame) with saxophonist John HelliwellFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist, pianist Arthur LeaFind albums by this artist, bassist Geth GriffithFind albums by this artist and drummer Ben BryantFind albums by this artist. Vocalist Barbara WalkerFind albums by this artist guests on a few tracks. The band performs a set of mostly original compositions, some instrumentals and some with vocal parts, which are very solid and mostly beautifully melodic. The overall performances are excellent, with saxophone and guitar solos being the most notable. Although on the lighter side of Jazz and sometimes bordering with Fusion, this is a very good example of well composed and well played music, which although accessible retains its musical qualities without compromise. Recommended to listeners, who enjoy melodic, soulful Jazz!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MICHEL GIBBS ORCHESTRA ~ BY THE WAY AH UM 016 (Barcode: 5017771102029) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is an album by British Jazz trombonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and his Anglo-American Orchestra commemorating the orchestra´s 25th Anniversary. The members of the orchestra include many of the top British Jazz players, like trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist and the young (at the time) saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The Americans include saxophonist Charlie MarianoFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bob MosesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions, all by Gibbs, which span the entire 25 years period, some of which already appeared on earlier recordings and other that are performed here for the first time. Gibbs´ followers will find this album consistent with his earlier recordings and with his unique orchestral approach and sound colors. Gibbs treats the orchestra like a palette and paints bright sound vistas with zest and vivid imagination. As usual the pieces allow for extensive soloing, which on this album reaches many remarkable peaks. Gibbs´ affinity to Rock is also evident, as is his tendency to feature the guitar as one of the main ingredients of the orchestra with plenty of soloing, which on this album is performed by Walker, who has a profound Bluesy feel and sensitivity. Overall this is another superb album by a great Master of the orchestral Jazz idiom, who had very few parallels over the years and still dominates the scene today. This music lost nothing of its power or beauty over time and is a great document of the period, similar to the recently released album with the Gibbs Orchestra featuring John ScofieldFind albums by this artist from 1991 ("Symphony Hall, Birmingham 1991Find albums with this title"). This is one of the most obscure albums by Michael Gibbs, probably due to the fact that it was released by the short lived small independent British Ah UmFind albums on this label label, founded by musician / producer Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, and has been available for many years. Wholeheartedly recommended and if you can dig it out somehow, don´t even think twice – grab it as it is worth its weight in gold! Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 29/05/2018

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

LONDON TROMBONE QUARTET ~ SOME OF OUR BEST FRIENDS ASC 011 (Barcode: 5029716000239) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is the only album by the British Jazz ensemble called London Trombone QuartetFind albums by this artist, which consisted of four trombonists: Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, Richard EdwardsFind albums by this artist, Mark NightingaleFind albums by this artist and Dave StewartFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded with some top British Jazz musicians active at the time: pianists Pete SabertonFind albums by this artist, John HorlerFind albums by this artist and Dave ArchFind albums by this artist, bassists Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist, Geraint RobertsFind albums by this artist and Laurence CottleFind albums by this artist, drummers Ian ThomasFind albums by this artist and Dave BryantFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, Pete HurtFind albums by this artist, Andy MacintoshFind albums by this artist, Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Dave O`HigginsFind albums by this artist, guitarists Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist and John ParricelliFind albums by this artist, percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Gerard PresencerFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven original compositions by Beachill (3), Sultzmann (2), and one each by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Arch, Nightingale, Colin TownsFind albums by this artist, Dick WalterFind albums by this artist and Saberton. Although Wheeler did not play on this album, one of his tunes was recorded. This is one of Wheeler’s recordings, which remains almost completely obscure and does not appear in most of his discographies. I was very lucky to get it from Kenny’s private collection. The music is a marvelous example of modern British Jazz, based on excellent original compositions and performed by the crème de la crème of British Jazz musicians active in the 1990s. The trombone quartet was quite a unique ensemble of course and they offered very unique arrangements featuring the trombone at the focus, proving the possibilities of the instrument in the hands of great musicians. Overall, this is an excellent British Jazz album, performed by first class musicians, which is absolutely worth digging for to discover the splendid music and superb performances by the entire team.

Updated: 06/04/2023Posted: 06/04/2023

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

PRINTMAKERS ~ WESTERLY BASHO 46 (Barcode: 832929004629) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is a beautiful debut album by the British Jazz ensemble The PrintmakersFind albums by this artist, which comprises of top Jazz musicians spanning several generations: the wonderful vocalist / lyricist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, pianist / composer Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mark LockheartFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve WattsFind albums by this artist and drummer James MaddrenFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tunes, three of which were composed by Iles with lyrics by Winstone, two with music by Ralph TownerFind albums by this artist and lyrics by Winstone, one tune each composed by John TaylorFind albums by this artist and Iles, both without lyrics, a song by Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and finally two are the ensemble´s interpretations of familiar Pop songs, one each by Paul SimonFind albums by this artist and Joni MitchellFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded live in a room of a country house and offers superb sound quality. The album is dedicated to the memory of the great Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. The music is everything one might expect from this formidable lineup: superb vocals and excellent playing from start to finish, elegant, somewhat restrained and always exactly with the right dose of emotional involvement and professional musicality. There is an obvious affinity and respect between the participants and a harmonious teamwork, which truly pays off. On the two tunes that do not feature lyrics, Winstone performs her fabulous vocalese parts, which are her trademark since many years. There is plenty of opportunity for great solo parts by Lockheart, Iles and Walker, and the rhythm section keeps the music flowing gently but precisely in time and in perfect harmony. Although the entire album is characterized by a relaxed, calm atmosphere, the music is rich and full of intrinsic vitality. Stylistically one might consider this to be "mainstream Jazz", but this music has absolutely nothing in common with the American version of mainstream Jazz, which of course is all for the best. It is great to see Winstone active and at full power, as if for her time is standing absolutely still. Having enjoyed her work for five decades, I can say that her music making is a safe heaven of good taste and aesthetic excellence, one of a very few of such kind. This album is relatively little known by Jazz connoisseurs, and therefore it is wholeheartedly recommended to all true music lovers and British Jazz enthusiasts to grab a copy as long as it is still in circulation.

Updated: 29/05/2018Posted: 29/05/2018

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WALKER ~ ROPES MADHOUSE 002 (Barcode: 5029385847661) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 2016 Released: 2019 This is the second album by British Jazz guitarist / composer Mike WalkerFind albums by this artist. It presents a suite for Jazz quintet and string orchestra, originally commissioned for the Manchester Jazz Festival and debuted there in 2008. The studio version, recorded several years later, features a core quintet which includes American drummer Adam NussbaumFind albums by this artist and British saxophonist Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianists Les ChisnallFind albums by this artist or Gwilym SimcockFind albums by this artist, bassists Steve WattsFind albums by this artist or Steve RodbyFind albums by this artist and several other musicians as well as the twenty two piece Psappha StringsFind albums by this artist orchestra. The album´s eight tracks include the three-part Ropes suite and five additional tracks, all composed and arranged by Walker, except for the closing track which was co-composed by him and Chisnall. The music is a beautifully lyrical Jazz-Classical Fusion, which goes way beyond the "Jazz with strings" idiom by amalgamating the string orchestra deep within the music´s concept, and making it an integral part of the entire essence of the project. The Jazz improvisations are all carefully kept within the melodic and harmonic outline of the pieces, often pretty minimalist and serene, but always exquisitely expressive. The participating instrumentalists are all Masters of their trade and their respective contributions are all elegant, tasteful and respectful, as appropriate for such a delicate and complex endeavor. Dixon, who is the main soloist, sounds absolutely delicious both on clarinet and soprano saxophone, Walker´s guitar parts are certainly up to par with his reputation and the pianists lay down an excellent harmonic foundation as well as tasteful soli. The string orchestra is excellently mixed with the Jazz ensemble, exactly prominent enough to be a part of the music but without dominating it. Considering the fact how rare Jazz and string music collaborations are these days, this is a superb reminder of the potential such projects have to offer, and how these can be carried out without crossing over into the terrible kitsch they sometimes turn into. Overall this is a splendid album from start to end, full of great music and excellent performances, which should satisfy all true music connoisseurs, who are open to atypical, but highly rewarding experimentation. This is British / European Jazz at its usual, highly aesthetic and challenging best, which is of course wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 17/04/2019Posted: 17/04/2019

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend