Record Reviews

STEVE ARGUELLES ~ STEVE ARGUELLES AH UM 007 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1990 Released: 1990 This is the debut album as a leader by British drummer / composer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quintet setting with his brother, saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist, guitarist / violinist Stuart HallFind albums by this artist, accordionist Kim BurtonFind albums by this artist and bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, six of which are original compositions by Steve Arguelles, five are by Julian Arguelles and one is a standard. The music is a brilliant and completely unique collection of tunes, which offer a cross-genre humorous mixture of Jazz, Folklore and vaudeville / Circus music, which is quite sophisticated, despite the external appearance and features superb instrumental performances by the quintet members. As such, this music eschews classification and is completely non-commercial, which explains why it was released on the miniscule legendary Ah UmFind albums on this label label. The Arguelles brothers contributed greatly to the process of shaping the British Jazz scene in the 1990s as members of such bands like Loose Tubes, Human Chain and other collaborations with Django Bates, with Steve becoming later a respected producer and owner of his record label. Overall, this is a charming reminder of the “new age” of British Jazz scene, which started in the 1990s and radically changed its character with the influx of new blood infused by the young generation, preserving the wonderful urge to innovate and discover new vistas. Not easy to find a copy of this jewel these days, but definitely worth an effort. Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 21/05/2025Posted: 21/05/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GORDON BECK ~ JUBILATION!: TRIOS, QUARTETS, AND SEPTETS IN SESSION 1964-1984 TURTLE 501 (Barcode: 5013929580107) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1984 Released: 2018 This is an archival release collecting live recordings made by various ensembles led by the seminal British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures of the revolutionary British Jazz movement of the 1960s, who died in 2011. The recordings present Beck in different settings, from solo piano to a septet, spanning two crucial decades in which Beck and the entire British Jazz scene metamorphosed from a copycat of American Jazz to a bold, adventurous and pioneering musical movement with its own values and aesthetics, leading the rest of Europe towards the same process of emancipation. On the recordings included in this release Beck is accompanied by the crème de la crème of the British Jazz heroes; bassists Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, drummers Johnny ButtsFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. Of the twenty eight pieces performed, only three are standards and the rest are original compositions by Beck. The music moves in a multidimensional space-time continuum, between traditional American Jazz and modern European Jazz, between standards and original compositions and between solo piano and ensemble playing, but always beautifully focused on Beck´s superb feel of melody and rhythm and his exquisite perception of harmony. The trio recordings, which open the first of the three CDs included in this Box Set, present a transition, which presents the quantum jumps separated from each other by two years gaps (1964-1966-1968), by which Beck and the trio move from a Bill EvansFind albums by this artist inspired swing perfection to a much more open, almost free playing, emphasized mostly by the change of the drummer from Butts to Oxley, one of the most important Jazz drummers of all time. By the mid 1970s the trio will be brought to perfection with the inclusion of Mathewson, and rechristened to MOBFind albums by this artist (Mathewson / Oxley / Beck) which can be heard on the second CD. The septet recordings, which take the rest of the first CD, are rather atypical in Beck´s career, as he preferred small ensembles, show Beck´s arranging skills, which he was able to perfect as the resident composer / arranger for the Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s all-star band, which included six of the seven members of the septet (John SurmanFind albums by this artist is the missing one). The latest (chronologically) recordings present a quintet session, which is led by the mature musician Beck has become in the meantime, are presented on the third CD. Beck´s solo material is presented on the second and third CDs. Overall the Box Set is full of magnificent music, diverse stylistically, but always perfectly executed, which presents a portrait of a great Artist. Considering that all these recordings are previously unreleased, this in an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. All the recordings were beautifully remastered and offer a first class listening experience. The Box Set, which was released by the reanimated TurtleFind albums on this label Records, includes an extensive booklet written by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, which is intelligent, informative and well researched, a true model for what all releases of this kind should offer those who buy the product. Absolutely essential to all British / European Jazz connoisseurs!

Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 15/02/2019

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

THIERRY PEALA ~ INNER TRACES NAIVE 3298492261024 (Barcode: 3298492261024) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000 This is the debut album by French Jazz vocalist Thierry PealaFind albums by this artist. Subtitled “A Kenny Wheeler Songbook”, it presents twelve compositions by British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, with lyrics by various lyricist, including British Diva Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, who also sings duets with Peala on four tracks. Other musicians include French pianist Bruno AngeliniFind albums by this artist, Italian bassist Riccardo Del FraFind albums by this artist, drummers British Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist and French Christophe MarguetFind albums by this artist, and finally the Maestro Wheeler himself on trumpet. The music is absolutely delightful from start to finish, which is hardly surprising, and showcases a lesser known facet of Wheeler’s work as a composer of songs, rather than instrumental music. The album is completely unknown to most Wheeler followers and does not appear in Wheeler’s discographies (and Norma Winstone’s discographies as well), which I am familiar with. I stumbled upon it quite accidentally and thanks God I did, as it is an outright marvel. Of course the Wheeler’s compositions are all wonderful, but the vocal interpretations by Peala are also brilliant, as is the instrumental work by all participants. Wheeler plays on ten tracks, as usual stunningly, including some overdubbed duets with himself. Del Fra’s superb bass playing is second to none and Angelini proves to be a highly sensitive accompanist. In short, this is a breathtaking album in every respect, and the fact that I was not aware of it is a travesty, now finally amended. And yes, there is the French accent (all the lyrics are in English), which normally could be an issue, bus somehow in this case this is a charming effect to the whole affair. Overall, this is a sublime album of modern vocal Jazz, beautifully sung and played by the Master musicians, and an important, albeit almost completely hidden, part of Wheeler’s recorded legacy. Of course it is a must for every Wheeler’s records collector, which probably is not that easy to find by now. A truly delightful, heart melting piece of music!

Updated: 14/08/2024Posted: 14/08/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STAN SULZMANN ~ FEUDAL RABBITS AH UM 011 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991 This is a wonderful and completely obscure album by British saxophonist / flautist / clarinetist / composer / bandleader Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, recorded with bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Patrick BettisonFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Sulzmann, one is by Hutton and finally one is a Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist composition. The album was released on the short-lived legendary Ah UmFind albums on this label label. The unusual instrumentation, which presents a double bass lineup, presents the electric bass as a lead instrument and the acoustic bass as part of the rhythm section. The music is based on melodic themes, masterfully, as usual, weaved by Sultzmann and the intimate quartet setting is ideal for this delicate, often fragile music, which is deeply touching. Sultzmann is of course brilliant as one might expect, but Bettison’s bass guitar parts are a delightful surprise, full of romance and wonderful feeling, in complete contrast to the Fusion oriented way the instrument is usually played. Overall, this is a hidden British Jazz gem, which took me years to find a copy of, but the wait was definitely worth it big time. If you can find a copy, grab it, no questions asked! Side Note British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.

Updated: 10/03/2025Posted: 10/03/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR / CREATIVE JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ EXITS AND ENTRANCES OH NO! 1001 (Barcode: 5017771113025) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1997 Released: 2001 This is an album by legendary British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist recorded with the Creative Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which for this recording was a septet comprising of saxophonists Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Andy SchofieldFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, trombonist Liam KirkmanFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, guitarist David ChevallierFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Taylor. The music was commissioned by the Creative Arts Orchestra and the album was produced by the orchestra´s founder Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, who also released this album on his own label Oh No!Find albums on this label, which turned out to be the only album released by that label. The music is a wonderful modern Jazz, based on Taylors themes but very open to improvisations by the orchestra, which often develop into conversations between duos, trios and quartets within the octet and come together to the full octet lineup only during the conclusions of the pieces. The bass parts, which are replaced by the tuba, change the entire rhythm section perception and leave the main rhythmic concept of the pieces to be driven by the drums. In many respects this album is one of the most open / improvised recordings by Taylor, who is usually associated with the typical British long melodic processions. There is till plenty of that in the music, but it is much more fragmented and loosely associated, which for lovers of Improvised Music is absolutely delightful. In retrospect this is one of the least known recordings by Taylor, which of course is criminally unjustified. At the time this music was recorded British Jazz almost entirely said farewell to Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which characterized the genre just a couple of decades earlier, and is a superb reminder of the fact, that Avant-Garde music can be not only extraordinary inventive but at the same time also insanely beautiful. Overall this is a wonderful album, which presents Taylor at his very best both as a pianist and even more so as a composer. Surrounded by some of the best British players at the time, Taylor managed to produce a monumental piece of ensemble music, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and beauty over time. For his many fans, as well as connoisseurs of British Jazz and collectors, this is a true marvel!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 02/04/2019

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

NORMA WINSTONE / MONA LARSEN ~ FREEDOM JAZZ DANCE 3361*BLACK 1016 (Barcode: 4988041007980) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1994 Released: 1995 This is a criminally little known album by the vocal duo of British Jazz Diva Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and Danish Jazz vocalist Mona LarsenFind albums by this artist. They are accompanied by American (resident in Paris when this album was recorded) pianist Jeff GardnerFind albums by this artist, French (of Algerian origin) bassist Michel BenitaFind albums by this artist and British (also resident in Paris) drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album, recorded in Paris, presents eight tracks, all Jazz standards, one with lyrics written by Winstone. The album’s focus is on the sublime vocal performances by the duo, which uses the entire available vocal toolbox, which includes singing lyrics, scatting, vocalizing, and more, which the two vocalists perform together in perfect harmony and sync. The accompaniment is very subdued and delicate, as appropriate for the occasion, but perfectly executed. Benita is absolutely brilliant as a collaborator to the vocal parts and is often left alone with the singers, but the piano trio is also head more prominently on some of the tracks. As far as the vocals are concerned, this album is a beautiful example of what modern Jazz vocals are all about and a classic schoolbook example of how they should be treated. The range of the various vocal techniques and collaborative vocal exchanges are simply phenomenal. It took me ages to find a copy of this album, released only in Japan on an obscure Japanese label, but persistence and patience paid up big time, as this is definitely one of the best vocal Jazz album ever, and I have heard a few of those over the years. Simply brilliant and absolutely essential listening!

Updated: 20/06/2021Posted: 20/06/2021

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend