Record Reviews

SKIDMORE / OXLEY / HAURAND ~ S.O.H. LIVE IN LONDON JAZZWERKSATT 016 (Barcode: 4250079757824) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1983 Released: 2007 This is an archival live recording by the wonderful trio consisting of British Jazz saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and German bassist Ali HaurandFind albums by this artist, known collectively as S.O.H.Find albums by this artist The trio performs four extended pieces, all being original compositions by the trio members with one tune co-composed by the Dutch pianist Jan HuydtsFind albums by this artist. The trio, which was active between 1978 and 1984, recorded just a couple of obscure albums released on small independent European labels and this live recoding, which saw the light of day only more than twenty years after it was recorded, is a substantial addition to its discography. Both Skidmore and Oxley are among my favorite British Jazz musicians and both made tremendous contributions to the development of British and than European Jazz, as did Haurand, not only as a musician but also as organizer and bandleader of such formidable international groups like the European Jazz QuintetFind albums by this artist which than developed into the European Jazz EnsembleFind albums by this artist, which exists to this very day. The music is a classic example of European post-Coltrane Free Jazz, based on intensive and highly emotional performances by the trio members. Skidmore is a brilliant improviser and his lengthy solos are unstoppable, to the delight of all Free Jazz enthusiasts. Oxley, who is without a doubt the most original Jazz drummer ever, is a monster and his solo work on this album is some of the finest recorded evidence of his genius. Haurand fills in very well and supports his cohorts with his energetic pulsations. The overall sound of the trio is a modern version of the "wall of sound" effect, initiated by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist two decades earlier, but with more emphasis on sophistication rather than on raw power. Overall this is a tremendous piece of highly charged music, which captures one of the most interesting European Jazz ensembles active in the late 1970s / early 1980s at its peak form and portrays the British / European Jazz scene at the time. An absolute must for British Jazz enthusiasts / collectors!

Updated: 11/01/2017Posted: 11/01/2017

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

ALAN SKIDMORE ~ A SUPREME LOVE CONFRONT 33 (Barcode: 5060446128084) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1961 - 2019 Released: 2023 This is a colossal career-spanning archival 6CD Box Set by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, which presents recordings between 1961 and 2019, documenting almost six decades of music making by one of British Jazz most prominent figures. Although most of the music was played by ensembles led by Skidmore, it also includes his work with Alexis KornerFind albums by this artist´s Blues IncorporatedFind albums by this artist, S.O.S.Find albums by this artist and S.O.H.Find albums by this artist trios, UbizoFind albums by this artist, Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist and even Weather ReportFind albums by this artist. Most of the music was composed by Skidmore, but, as the title suggests, a significant portion of it was composed by John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, with Skidmore admitting to being his devoted disciple. A vast majority of the 46 tracks included in this Box Set are previously unissued. Over the years Skidmore played with the absolute crème de la crème of the modern British Jazz musicians, including John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist, John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and many others, as well as many pioneering European and American Jazz musicians. The music is presented chronologically and beautifully illustrates the gradual metamorphosis of Skidmore from Blues and mainstream Jazz player towards more adventurous areas towards the exploration of Free and Avant-Garde Jazz, which occurred by the end of the 1960s. The last two CDs are dedicated to the exploration of the music of John Coltrane, including a live performance at the legendary Café OTO from 2019 on CD6. The music is of course brilliant from start to finish, and the release of this Box Set is a truly festive occasion to hear so much music previously hidden from the public ear, all of which is essential to every true British Jazz fan around the globe. The level of the performances is stellar of course, with Skidmore displaying his amazing technique and passion, which obviously are old news for any British Jazz follower, but appear herein in their full might and splendor. Thank God for the depth of Skidmore’s private archives, which made this Box Set possible, and perhaps those might be reexamined in order to find more of such treasures? Of course thanks to Mark WastellFind albums by this artist, the owner of ConfrontFind albums on this label Recordings, for making this dream come true. Overall, this is an absolutely essential piece of British Jazz history, with hours upon hours of brilliant music, which sees the light of day for the first time. It presents the development of the British / European Jazz scene from the perspective of just one of its many heroes, but considering the incredible gathering of musicians who play on these tracks, it becomes way more than just a story of one man, as important as he might be thanks to his own achievements, constituting in fact a reflection of an Era.

Updated: 01/10/2024Posted: 21/06/2023

CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend