Record Reviews

TUBBY HAYES ~ THE COMPLETE HOPBINE `69 JAZZ IN BRITAIN 30 (Barcode: 5060774190319) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2021 This is an archival album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist. The music, which was recorded live at the Hopbine club, was taken from the Mathewson tape archive. It presents eight tracks, three of which are Hayes’ originals and five are standards. The album includes an extensive twenty-eight pages long booklet, written by Hayes’ biographer Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist. The tape is a mono recording, but the sound quality is excellent and way better than the other sources of this material, which were previously released on two other albums, and the music can be heard loud and clear. One of the tracks is released here for the first time and this is the first time this performance can he heard in its entirety. In many respects this recording marks a closing of a glorious career by one of the British Jazz greatest personalities, who would be dead just three and a half years after this music was recorded, ridden by ill health. It is also of course a wonderful glimpse at the birth of modern British Jazz, partly influenced by the Free Jazz explosion in American Jazz at the time, but still very much within modern mainstream, reshaped and domesticated into the unique British experience, which eventually emancipated British Jazz from the American bondage. These performances are obviously more spontaneous than those captured on the studio albums Hates recorded at the time and all showcase the great talents of the four musicians involved. Pyne, Mathewson (both sadly not with us any more) and Wells (hopefully destined to stay with us for many more years) show their talents here in full and Hayes’ fluency and artistry remain unparalleled. Interestingly, John ColtraneFind albums by this artist influence on Hayes’ playing is more distinctly heard here than on most other recordings he made. Overall, this is a most welcome addition to Tubby Hayes recorded legacy and British Jazz fans surely will appreciate the work and dedication of the people behind the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, who keep bringing us these wonderful releases and keep the history of British Jazz alive. Absolutely essential part of any serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 27/01/2022Posted: 27/01/2022

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TUBBY HAYES ~ GRITS, BEANS AND GREENS: THE LOST FONTANA STUDIO SESSION 1969 FONTANA 602577569647 (Barcode: 602577569647) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2019 This is an archival “lost” studio album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, three of which are original compositions by Hayes and two are standards. This is the single CD version of this album, which also exists as a 2CD album with eighteen tracks documenting the entire two-days recording sessions of this material. The album is accompanied by an extensive booklet with text by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, Hayes’ biographer. Recorded just four years before his premature death, Hayes is in absolute top form both as a composer and a player, and the quartet is an ideal vehicle to showcase his talents. Although deeply rooted in the American Jazz tradition, this music sparkles with modernism and is an integral part of the process of creating the British Jazz sound, which at the time of the recording was a boiling magma of young talent, but managed also to pull in many of the veterans as well. The sessions, which produced this album, were originally destined to produce the follow up album to the 1967 iconic release “Mexican GreenFind albums with this title”, but for many different reasons sank into oblivion, only to be re-discovered fifty years later. In retrospect, they are the last quartet studio recordings, with the great musician’s fate sealed by his habits and ill health. The same quartet was recorded live on several occasions and the splendid “The Complete Hopbine `69Find albums with this title” released by the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label offers a great document of their masterful performances together. Overall, this is a splendid example of Hayes’ Genius at its best, accompanied by three superb representatives of the British Jazz scene, which is an essential piece of Hayes legacy, as well as a proof of the importance of archival Jazz material, which is great to have and to return to. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 02/06/2023Posted: 02/06/2023

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RUNSWICK / HYMAS ~ BIG BANDS 1974-78 ASC 175 (Barcode: 0712396065340) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1974 - 1978 Released: 2019 This is a phenomenal and completely obscure archival album by British Jazz musicians: bassist / composer Daryl RunswickFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / composer Tony HymasFind albums by this artist. The album presents two recordings (details below), both in a Big Band format, which include the crème de la crème of the British Jazz scene active in the 1970s, including vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Don RendellFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, drummers Spike WellsFind albums by this artist and Tony CarrFind albums by this artist and many others. The sound quality of this material is truly sensational. The first project is the Tony Hymans – Daryl Runswick Big Band, captured live in 1974, performing four original compositions, one by Hymans and three by Runswick. The music is typical of the era, and similar to other Big Band projects from that time, like those by Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist or Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist. The second project is an unreleased studio album “Señor Funk”, conceived by Denis PrestonFind albums by this artist and recorded at the legendary Lansdowne Studios in 1978. It presents six tracks, three composed by Runswick, one each by Tony Coe and John TaylorFind albums by this artist and one standard, all arranged by Runswick. Hymans was not a part of this project. As the album’s title suggests, it was supposed to be somewhat Latin Music oriented, which it indeed is, but it also remains very much British Jazz at its core. The level of composition and performance is everything one might expect from these sublime musicians, and the album is a great exposure to the previously unreleased music from this Golden era of British Jazz. Overall, this is a wonderful discovery and joy to be able to hear this great music, and for the British Jazz fans a great opportunity to hear again many of the heroes of that period. A must in every serious British Jazz collection!

Updated: 18/04/2025Posted: 18/04/2025

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DARYL RUNSWICK ~ THE JAZZ YEARS ASC 167/168 (Barcode: 607128998709) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1978 Released: 2017 This is an archival 2CD album by British bassist / composer Daryl RunswickFind albums by this artist, which collects recordings by his quartets captured between 1967 and 1978. The collective lineup is impressive, to say the least, and includes saxophonists Don RendellFind albums by this artist, Jim PhilipFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, pianists Alan BranscombeFind albums by this artist, Mike McNaughtFind albums by this artist, Tony HymasFind albums by this artist and Mick PyneFind albums by this artist and drummers Mike TravisFind albums by this artist, Spike WellsFind albums by this artist and Harold FisherFind albums by this artist. The album presents sixteen tracks, eleven of which are original compositions by Runswick, one each are by Sulzmann and Hymans and three are standards. The music is superb all the way, a great example of modern British Jazz, which flourished in in 1970s, based on brilliant compositions by Runswick, who also plays excellent bass parts. Although these tracks were never meant to be released as commercial recordings, they offer very good sound quality and a wonderful musical experience. Overall, it is great to see (and hear) this material, which truly deserves to be remembered and listened to, and Runswick deserves to be discovered as an excellent composer and a great musician, whose “Jazz Years” are mostly unknown to the British Jazz enthusiasts. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 19/06/2025Posted: 19/06/2025

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BOBBY WELLINS QUARTET ~ WHAT WAS HAPPENING JAZZ IN BRITAIN 33 (Barcode: 5060774190340) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1979 Released: 2023 This is a 2CD reissue / remaster of two albums by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet setting with keyboardist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Adrian KendonFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents the album “JubilationFind albums with this title”, a live recording with four tracks, all original compositions by Wellins. It is expanded by three bonus tracks, also recorded live a few months earlier, all standards. CD2 presents the album “Dreams Are FreeFind albums with this title”, a studio recording with six tracks, all original compositions by Wellins. It is expanded by four bonus tracks, recorded live, all standards. As usual with the good people of Jazz In Britain label, the album is accompanied by extensive booklet, which presents background information about these recordings and new liner notes by Wells, whose reel tape archive was the source of the bonus material. Although the sound quality is not always perfect, it is certainly good enough to enjoy this splendid example of British Jazz at its best. Wellins was sadly badly under-recorded and most of his early releases, including his first two albums included herein, are all long unavailable, which makes this release ever more important. He was a very fluid improviser, always floating somewhere between mainstream and almost Free, and his unique approach aged very well, still being fascinating today. The three musicians accompanying Wellins are all highly talented and prove to be perfect for the job at hand. Overall, this is another piece of British Jazz history, saved from oblivion by the dedicated people, who do it best. Since time is certainly not standing still, it’s great to see the heroes of the genre, who are still with us, contribute their archival materials and memories to make these momentous documents. I find it absolutely outrageous that these efforts are not sponsored by Public funding, but sadly England is by far not the only country that cares little for its Cultural heritage. Hats off, as usual and thanks for your work Gentlemen!

Updated: 01/04/2024Posted: 01/04/2024

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BOBBY WELLINS SEXTET ~ HOMAGE TO CALEDONIA JAZZ IN BRITAIN 67 (Barcode: 5060774190739) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with his sextet, which also includes pianist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Adrian KendonFind albums by this artist, drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist and percussionist Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, the first four recorded by a quartet and the rest by a sextet. Four tracks are parts of the “Culloden Moor Suite”. All the music was composed by Wellins, except the solo piano track composed by Jacobsen and one track, which is a medley of two standards. This album is a companion release to the “What Was HappeningFind albums with this title” album, recorded by the same quartet, which was also released by the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label. The “Culloden Moor SuiteFind albums with this title”, originally composed in 1961, was finally recorded in its full splendor with the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, directed by Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist, only in 2013, which was the last recording before Wellins’ death in 2016. The sextet version appearing here is the only full version recorded in a “small ensemble” version. Wellins, primarily recognized for his work with Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, was a superb saxophonist and composer and his work as a leader was always a source of joy. His recording legacy as a leader is relatively limited and covers mostly his later period, therefore this album recorded in 1979 is a valuable addition. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the sextet includes Lol Coxhill, associated primarily with the “wilder” side of the British Jazz scene, not to say Avant-Garde, who fits the bill perfectly, despite the basically mainstream orientation of Wellins’ music. The lengthy piano solo track is an absolute gem and a great surprise! Overall, this is another splendid addition to the Jazz In Britain catalogue, which brings to life a piece of the history of the genre, which surely deserves to be remembered and heard. As usual kudos to the people behind the label for carrying on the great work, for we are humbly grateful.

Updated: 12/11/2024Posted: 12/11/2024

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