Record Reviews

TINA MAY ~ A WING AND A PRAYER 33 RECORDS 134 (Barcode: 5020883336343) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2005 - 2006 Released: 2006 This is a wonderful album by British Jazz vocalist Tina MayFind albums by this artist, recorded in a minimalist setting with saxophonist / flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist and pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, six of which were recorded in a studio and five were recorded live. Some of the tracks are duos with Sultzmann or Iles and others are trios, with both instrumentalists present, all arranged by Iles. Most of the tracks are standards, but two tracks (one by Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and another one by Joe HendersonFind albums by this artist) are originally instrumentals, with lyrics written by May. As stated on the album’s liner notes, all the songs are deeply personally emotional to May, which is plainly evident by the way she performs them, and the intimate setting is ideal to reveal the emotional depth. As a result, this particular album, one of quite a few May has recorded during her lifetime, is my favorite recording of hers. It is not only the most immediate experience, but I think it is the Jazziest one, where she is absolutely in the epicenter of the music, amicably and intelligently supported by the two great musicians, who do not take away any of the limelight, but manage to shine some of their own upon her. Tina’s tragic and way premature death of May in 2022 left a big empty space in British vocal Jazz, and the only consolation is her recorded legacy, mostly released on 33 RecordsFind albums on this label, which we can always return to, in hour of need. Overall, this is a beautiful vocal Jazz album, by a highly talented singer, which is full of great music as well as unusually deep emotions and brilliant instrumental work by two of Britain’s best instrumentalists. When times get really blue, this is one of the records I put on…

Updated: 21/04/2025Posted: 21/04/2025

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

DICK WALTER / JAZZCRAFT ENSEMBLE ~ SECRET MOVES ASC 029 (Barcode: 5029716002929) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by the British composer / arranger Dick WalterFind albums by this artist recorded with the Jazzcraft EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a gathering of eleven top British Jazz musicians and five guest stars, which collectively read like the who´s who of British Jazz at the closure of the previous Millennium. The ensemble, conducted by Walter, included trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, flugelhornist Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, French horn player Richard BissillFind albums by this artist, valve trombonist Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist and Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. The guests were: vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Alan BarnesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and finally guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short pieces, five of which are original compositions by Walter and the rest are carefully selected Jazz standards and one BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, all exquisitely arranged by Walter. Each and every one of these pieces is an absolute gem, perfectly rounded and complete like a mini-suite, representing all the best in British / European Jazz: delicate aesthetics, superb taste, intelligence and deep understanding of music. This album is one of the most perfect examples of large ensemble Jazz ever recorded and should be a schoolbook example of Jazz arrangement. The music is also beautifully performed by these Master musicians, who contribute perfect ensemble playing as well as beautiful soli, all relatively concise due to the album´s timing limitations, but nevertheless perfectly rounded and expressive. Altogether these seventy two minutes of music round up almost everything there is to say in a mainstream Jazz ensemble format. I have no idea how this nugget managed to slip under my radar for so many years; better late than never is the only solace. The music brings so many memories and associations about British Jazz and its history, that listening to it for the first time was a deeply emotional experience for me. Repeated listening sessions revealed the depth of the arrangements and the incredible craft involved in making it. It is a true masterpiece in every respect. I can hardly imagine a proper British Jazz collection being complete without this album being part of it, and therefore grab a copy as long as it is still available. You can thank me later on, after you have listened to it ;)

Updated: 24/01/2023Posted: 15/04/2019

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend