Record Reviews

NEIL ARDLEY / NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ ON THE RADIO: BBC SESSIONS 1971 DUSK FIRE 115 (Barcode: 5065001032516) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 2016 This is a wonderful archival album from the seemingly bottomless vault of the BBC recordings, which presents two sessions led by British composer / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist. The first session (six tracks) presents the full glory of the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. NJOFind albums by this artist) led and conducted by Ardley and the second session (one track) presents a suite-like composition performed by a small Jazz ensemble, which also includes a string section and electronics. The lineup of the New Jazz Orchestra includes the crème de la crème of the British Jazz players at the time: trumpeters Nigel CarterFind albums by this artist, Bud ParkesFind albums by this artist, Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, Ian CarrFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, trombonists Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist, Robin GardnerFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, tuba player Dick HartFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Don RendellFind albums by this artist, Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, Brian SmithFind albums by this artist, Dave GellyFind albums by this artist and Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and percussionist / vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist. The small ensemble includes several NJO members and also features bassist Barry GuyFind albums by this artist and the man in charge of the electronic sounds Keith WinterFind albums by this artist. For listeners familiar with the NJO recordings the music presented here will not be unanticipated, as it follows the pattern presented on their studio recordings, which is based on intricate and lavish orchestral arrangements and excellent solos by the orchestra members. The live sound and the raw power of the twenty piece orchestra are of course irresistible and illustrate the supremacy of orchestral music over small ensembles as far as the scale of possibilities is concerned. The orchestra performs two compositions by the lamented pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist, who was already deceased when this music was recorded. Another pleasant surprise is the inclusion of a composition by the legendary Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, who played in the earlier lineup of the orchestra. The presentation of the tunes by the no less legendary Humphrey LytteltonFind albums by this artist is the proverbial cherry on the top. The suite-like piece marks the beginning for Ardley´s interest in electronic music, which started when he met Keith Winter a year before this music was recorded. His future recording will feature synthesizers of course but this early, both technologically and conceptually, meeting between electronic and acoustic sounds is truly fascinating and innovative, especially since it also features a string section. Overall this album is an invaluable historical document of the time and of the British Jazz history, and well deserved thanks go to Peter MuirFind albums by this artist, the man behind the Dusk FireFind albums on this label / Market SquareFind albums on this label labels and to Dave Gelly for the informative liner notes and his first hand experiences. This is an absolute must to all British Jazz connoisseurs, and in fact to all Jazz lovers around the world, especially the young musicians, who should be aware of how much can be learned from music made in the past. Not to be missed!

Updated: 23/05/2018Posted: 31/05/2017

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

NEW JAZZ ORCHESTRA / NEIL ARDLEY GROUP ~ BBC SESSIONS 1968-1970 RHYTHM AND BLUES 101 (Barcode: 5060331753834) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1968 - 1970 Released: 2024 This is an archival album, which presents recordings by two Orchestral Jazz ensembles, both led by the brilliant pianist / composer / arranger / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, six by the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (a.k.a. NJOFind albums by this artist), recorded in 1968 and eight by the Neil Ardley GroupFind albums by this artist, recorded in 1970. Five of the NJO tracks appear in a studio version on their 2nd studio album “Le Dejeuner Sur L`herbeFind albums with this title”. The first seven of the Neil Ardley Group tracks, which were composed by pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist and are a song cycle / Jazz & Poetry suite, were sadly never recorded in the studio and released on an album. Taylor tragically died just a few months before this music was recorded. The lineup of these two ensembles reads like a Who’s Who of the British Jazz at the end of the 1960s, some still very young at the time, but already experienced musicians, who were going to shape the British Jazz scene in the decades to come. The NJO lineup includes Ardley as the leader / conductor, trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Dave GellyFind albums by this artist, Jim PhilipFind albums by this artist, Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist and Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, Robin GardnerFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, tuba player George SmithFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist and drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The Neil Ardley Group lineup includes Ardley on piano, vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, Carr, Gelly, Thompson, Ricotti, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Mike TravisFind albums by this artist. I rest my case… The music, as expected, is absolutely sensational and reflects the vibrancy and ingenuity of the British Jazz scene at this pivotal period, when the modern British Jazz idiom was molded for decades to come. The specific idiosyncrasies and “Britishness” of the new epoch is simply encapsulated in every note played here. It is also a superb display of the individual talents of these magnificent musicians, those who are still with us and sadly those who departed, like Thompson and Hiseman, who met as members of the NJO and created one of the British Jazz “power couples” or Ardley and Carr, whose giant talents are deeply missed. Overall, this is an absolute must have album for every British Jazz collector, especially in view of the fact that some of the music captured herein is not available anywhere else. For the cognoscenti, the album offers endless hints and interconnections, like a sensational version of the song “Jumping Off The Sun”, which became an anthem for the legendary ColosseumFind albums by this artist, which was founded by Hiseman and Heckstall-Smith, and included Reeves and Thompson, and so on…

Updated: 22/09/2024Posted: 21/09/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend