Record Reviews

GINGER BAKER ~ WHY? MOTEMA 148 (Barcode: 181212001488) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014 This is the final album by British drummer / composer / bandleader Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with American saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist, bassist Alec DankworthFind albums by this artist and Ghanaian percussionist Abass DodooFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, three of which are Baker’s original compositions, one is by Ellis, two are standards, one is a traditional Nigerian tune and one is a composition by American trumpeter Ron MilesFind albums by this artist, composed especially for Baker. Following an illustrious career in Rock, Blues-Rock and World-Rock music with Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist and other acts, Baker returned gradually to Jazz, which was his initial playground in the early 1960s, when he played on the London’s Jazz scene and studied drums with the legendary Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist. Since the early 1980s he released a series of Jazz oriented albums, of which this was his last. He died in 2019 following a long period of illness. The music is soaked in Baker’s deep involvement with African rhythmic traditions, which in fact dominated his entire career and made his to study African music, including a residence in Nigeria in the 1970s. The resulting Jazz-World Fusion is highly spiritual and intimate. The small format makes this album especially interesting, enabling every little nuance of Baker’s incredible drumming technique to be perfectly audible. Dankworth’s contributions herein are also marvelous. Overall, this is an almost completely overlooked album by one of the greatest British / European drummers of all time, which definitely is worth exploring and deservers a proper place in any serious album collection. Listeners interesting in drums and especially in African drumming, should seek this little gem out.

Updated: 05/03/2023Posted: 05/03/2023

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VAN MORRISON ~ BACK ON TOP EXILE 724384714826 (Barcode: 724384714826) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999 This is the 27th studio album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes keyboardist Geraint WatkinsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Mick GreenFind albums by this artist, bassist Ian JenningsFind albums by this artist, drummer Bobby IrwinFind albums by this artist, American saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist, Irish pianist and arranger Fiachra TrenchFind albums by this artist, who is in charge of the string arrangements, and others. The album presents ten tracks, all original by Morrison. Musically the album offers a certain return to Blues and Rhythm And Blues, but, as usual, it is a mixture of cross-genre songs, all blessed by Morrison’s outstanding ability to weave beautiful melodies and write heartfelt lyrics, like only a few others. There is also a slight jazz touch in the background, which characterizes everything Morrison recorded. Overall, this is a piece of music that is worth being remembered, and although Morrison’s recorded legacy offers a few dozen releases, he never recorded a bad album and everything he ever put out is worth an honorable place in a decent record collection. It is one of those Artists you can never have too much of…

Updated: 24/08/2024Posted: 24/08/2024

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VAN MORRISON ~ DAYS LIKE THIS POLYDOR 731452730725 (Barcode: 731452730725) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is the 23rd studio album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes guitarist Ronnie JohnsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Nicky ScottFind albums by this artist, drummer Geoff DunnFind albums by this artist and a brass section with saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Matthew HollandFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are originals by Morrison and two are his adaptations of songs by other songwriters. Musically the album offers a mix of Blues, Folk, Gospel and Celtic, but, as always, it is a mixture of cross-genre songs, all blessed by Morrison’s outstanding ability to weave beautiful melodies and write heartfelt lyrics, like only a few others Artists are able to do. There is also a slight jazz touch in the background, which characterizes everything Morrison recorded. Overall, this is a piece of music that is worth being remembered, and although Morrison’s recorded legacy offers a few dozen releases, he never recorded a bad album and everything he ever put out is worth an honorable place in a decent record collection. It is one of those Artists you can never have too much of…

Updated: 22/12/2024Posted: 22/12/2024

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VAN MORRISON ~ INARTICULATE SPEECH OF THE HEART POLYDOR 042283960428 (Barcode: 042283960428) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1982 Released: 1989 This is a reissue of the 14th studio album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes keyboardist John AllairFind albums by this artist, guitarist Chris MichieFind albums by this artist, bassist David HayesFind albums by this artist, drummer Tom DonlingerFind albums by this artist and a brass section with trumpeter Mark IshamFind albums by this artist (who also plays synthesizers) and saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist. The album presents eleven tracks, all of which are originals by Morrison. This was the 3rd album Morrison released in the 1980s and his last album released (originally) on Warner Bros.Find albums on this label label. Musically the album offers Morrison’s usual mix of Celtic, Blues, Folk, Gospel and Jazz influences, but since it offers several instrumental tracks, which is not typical, the Jazzy undercurrents are more dominant than ever. But he delivers, as usual, a mixture of cross-genre songs, all blessed by his outstanding ability to weave beautiful melodies and write heartfelt lyrics, like only a few others Artists are able to do. Overall, this is a piece of music that is worth being remembered, and although Morrison’s recorded legacy offers a few dozen releases, he never recorded a bad album and everything he ever put out is worth an honorable place in a decent record collection. It is one of those Artists you can never have too much of…

Updated: 28/01/2025Posted: 28/01/2025

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VAN MORRISON ~ INTO THE MUSIC WARNER BROS. 075992624824 (Barcode: 075992624824) ~ IRELAND ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1979 Released: 1990 This is the 11th studio album by legendary Northern Irish singer / songwriter Van MorrisonFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by a splendid group of musicians, which includes violinist Toni MarcusFind albums by this artist, pianist Mark JordanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Herbie ArmstrongFind albums by this artist, bassist David HayesFind albums by this artist, drummer Peter Van HookeFind albums by this artist and a brass section with saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Mark IshamFind albums by this artist. This was the first album featuring Ellis, who became more or less a permanent recording artist on future Morrison’s albums. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are originals by Morrison and one is his adaptation of song by other songwriters. This was the last album Morrison released in the 1970s. Musically the album offers the usual mix of Blues, Folk, Gospel and Celtic, but, as always, it is a mixture of cross-genre songs, all blessed by Morrison’s outstanding ability to weave beautiful melodies and write heartfelt lyrics, like only a few others Artists are able to do. There is also a slight jazz touch in the background, which characterizes everything Morrison recorded. Overall, this is a piece of music that is worth being remembered, and although Morrison’s recorded legacy offers a few dozen releases, he never recorded a bad album and everything he ever put out is worth an honorable place in a decent record collection. It is one of those Artists you can never have too much of…

Updated: 01/01/2025Posted: 30/12/2024

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