Record Reviews

JOHN CAMERON ~ COVER LOVER / WARM & GENTLE VOCALION 8478 (Barcode: 765387847821) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 - 1968 Released: 2011 British pianist / composer John CameronFind albums by this artist was one of the great mavericks on the local Jazz scene in the 1960s, when he was still performing himself. Later on Cameron concentrated on his work as a composer, arranger, bandleader contributing numerous film soundtracks, musicals, etc. This reissue brings to life two rare 1960s albums. The first features Cameron as pianist and vocalist, performing a set of songs he wrote, which are full of witty English humor. He is accompanied by four excellent musicians: saxophonists Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist and Art EllefsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Spike HeatleyFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony CarrFind albums by this artist. The second features an orchestra led by Cameron performing a set of Pop / Rock songs arranged by him, which is a typical easy-listening recording, but of high quality due to the superb Jazzy arrangements. This album is primarily of interest to followers of John Cameron´s music (myself included), but British Jazz enthusiasts might find it interesting as well.

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DIRECTIONS IN JAZZ UNIT ~ NEW DIRECTIONS IN JAZZ 1963-64 RHYTHM AND BLUES 090 (Barcode: 5060331753018) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1963 - 1964 Released: 2022 This is an archival album presenting live recordings by the British Jazz ensemble Directions In Jazz UnitFind albums by this artist, led by vibraphonist / pianist / composer Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist. Those include a performance for the German NDR TV in Hamburg in 1964 and three (two in 1964 and one in 1963) sessions recorded by the BBC, altogether thirty-one tracks. In 1961 Le Sage formed a quartet with saxophonist Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist, bassist Spike HeatleyFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony CarrFind albums by this artist, which was the foundation later to be expanded into the Directions In Jazz Unit, which also included saxophonist / flautist Johnny ScottFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / clarinetist Bob BurnsFind albums by this artist and the Freddie Alexander Cello EnsembleFind albums by this artist (a string quartet), a revolutionary lineup by any standard at the time. Le Sage, Ross and Scott composed most of the music performed by the ensemble, which additional contributions by other members of the ensemble and an odd standard here and there. The music certainly includes the clear signs of the British Jazz making giant steps towards the emancipation from the American Jazz tradition and forming of an independent, unique new direction, which in the few short years to come would revolutionize British Jazz entirely. The unusual instrumentation used by the ensemble, with obvious European music influences, and the arrangements that are clearly more elegant and “relaxed”, as well as highly sophisticated, pave the way for the change to come. The quality of the original compositions is excellent from start to finish. Although the recording is in Mono, the sound quality is excellent and every note of the music is perfectly audible, except for the 1963 BBC session, which lacks the clarity of sound of the rest of the material, but is still quite acceptable, especially in view of the historic importance of this material. Overall, this is a wonderful time capsule of the early days of modern British Jazz, which is a delightful trip down the memory lane, and quite an educational perspective of the history of the British Jazz chronology. Kudos to the Rhythm And BluesFind albums on this label label for digging this material from the depths of the vaults and releasing it, keeping the memories alive. There is nothing more important than keeping our dying Culture alive, as long as we can.

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 01/10/2022

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HAROLD MCNAIR ~ HAROLD MCNAIR / FLUTE & NUT VOCALION 8494 (Barcode: 765387849429) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 - 1969 Released: 2012 This is a criminally overdue reissue of the two albums recorded by the British Jazz flautist / saxophonist / composer Harold McNairFind albums by this artist for the RCAFind albums by this artist label, which have been unavailable for over forty years now. McNair, born in Jamaica, was one of many brilliant West Indian musicians to arrive on the British scene in the 1950s and 1960, greatly contributing to the creation of the modern British Jazz, which was at its peak when these two albums were recorded. Although McNair played the saxophone superbly, his flute playing was absolutely amazing and extraordinary, making him probably the best ever British Jazz flautist. He died from cancer in 1971 at a ridiculous young age of thirty nine, a tremendous loss of an amazing talent, lamented to this very day by those who knew him and his work. His rather limited recorded legacy is now radically expanded with the reissue of these two albums. The eponymous album was recorded by the Harold McNair quartet, with pianist Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist, bassist Spike HeatleyFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony CarrFind albums by this artist. They perform nine pieces, five of which are originals composed by McNair, three are standards and one is a song written by the Folk-Rock singer / songwriter DonovanFind albums by this artist. McNair was a regular member of Donovan´s band, where he played alongside the pianist / composer / arranger John CameronFind albums by this artist. McNair´s performances on this album are perfect from start to finish. He uses the flute on most of the tracks and his immediately recognizable style is simply overwhelming. The "Flute & NutFind albums with this title" album features McNair accompanied by a Jazz Orchestra conducted by John Cameron, performing eight pieces orchestrated and arranged by Cameron, three of which are McNair originals, one a Cameron original and the remaining four are standards. In retrospect this is the best album McNair ever recorded, with his flute (and occasional saxophone) sounding absolutely marvelous and the beautiful arrangements adding a spectacular effect to the entire production. McNair recorded only one more album as a leader after this, called "The FenceFind albums with this title", before he died, which was released on the B&CFind albums on this label label. Parts of the first album included here were released posthumously by the same label as another eponymous album, and included also live material recorded at the Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s club. Beautifully remastered by Michael J. DuttonFind albums by this artist, these two albums sound fresh and wonderful, as if recorded only a short while ago. Musically they are some of the best Jazz flute music even captured and are an essential piece of the modern British Jazz legacy. Absolutely brilliant stuff!

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