Record Reviews

KEVIN FIGES ~ YOU ARE HERE JAZZ NOW 02 (Barcode: 5060774190654) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is an album by British Jazz saxophonist Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a sextet setting with pianist Jim BlomfieldFind albums by this artist, trombonist Raphael ClarksonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Pete JudgeFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OrrellFind albums by this artist and bassist Riaan VoslooFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, five of which were composed by Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, five were composed by other British Jazz musicians connected to Tippett throughout his career, and the remaining four short pieces were composed by the members of the sextet. The album (and the sextet) is a tribute to the music of the legendary British pianist / composer / bandleader Keith Tippett, one of the most important figures of the modern British Jazz. Figes and a few other members of the sextet played with Tippet before his untimely demise in 2020, and the leader directed a series of concerts commemorating Tippett’s music, leading to the creation of this album. The music is a wonderful tribute to Tippett’s giant contribution to the development of British Jazz since the late 1960s, in which he instigated some of the most revolutionary ideas, ranging from solo piano to Big Band / Orchestral projects, which are still perfectly valid today and remain beacons of ingenuity and genius, sadly not present on the contemporary scene. The music is splendidly performed and recorded and offers a fond memory of Tippett and other heroes of the British Jazz scene, like Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist and King CrimsonFind albums by this artist members, all of which made a tremendous contribution at their time. The material selected for this album is a superb review / retrospect glance at the finest moments of the scene. This album is the second release on the new Jazz NowFind albums on this label label, created by the same people who run the splendid Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which produced an impressive series of brilliant albums, which document the development of British Jazz in past decades. Obviously the new label is meant to document contemporary British Jazz. Overall, this is a wonderful tribute album, which offers refreshed versions of compositions by Keith Tippett and other Godfathers of modern British Jazz, splendidly arranged and performed by Figes and the sextet, a great addition to any British Jazz record collection.

Updated: 10/07/2024Posted: 10/07/2024

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NOSTALGIA 77 ~ SESSIONS FEATURING KEITH & JULIE TIPPETT TRU THOUGHTS 183 (Barcode: 5060006355127) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This is a criminally little known album by British Jazz producer Benedic LamdinFind albums by this artist operating under the Nostalgia 77Find albums by this artist moniker, recorded with the legendary couple: vocalist / lyricist / composer Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist and her husband pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist. Other musicians participating on this album are bassist Riaan VoslooFind albums by this artist, drummer Adam SorensenFind albums by this artist, guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Mark HanslipFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Fulvio SigurtaFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen original songs, composed by Julie, Keith and other musicians participating in this session, with lyrics mostly by Julie. The music is a brilliant amalgam of Blues, soulful Jazz and Avant-Garde, radiantly performed by all the participants. The music moves naturally and smoothly between to genres, which is of course quite surprising and seemingly impossible. Julie offers both “straightforward” vocals and Free Form vocalese, as usual breathtakingly beautiful and Keith idiosyncratic piano playing is the leading instrumental support of the proceedings, but he also offers several wonderful soli. Boyle offers some great guitar parts, as do Hanslip and Sigurta, and the rhythm section supports the music amicably for the entire duration. Overall, this is a little known gem, which offers a superb document of the diversity, openness and versatility offered by Keith and Julie Tippett. The mostly melodic music is spiced by Avant-Garde touches, which should be acceptable to listeners not usually exposed to that kind of music. This is of course a must to all fans of the Tippett couple (separately and together), and is definitely worth seeking out, as long as it is available.

Updated: 20/02/2023Posted: 20/02/2023

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