Record Reviews

DJANGO BATES ~ MUSIC FOR THE THIRD POLICEMAN AH UM 003 ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1990 Released: 1990 This is a wonderful and completely obscure album by British pianist / composer / bandleader Django BatesFind albums by this artist, recorded with and octet comprising of saxophonist Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist, cellist / bassist Steve BerryFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist, guitarist Stuart HallFind albums by this artist, violinist Sarah HarrisonFind albums by this artist, bassoonist Robert JuritzFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Dai PritchardFind albums by this artist. Three additional guest musician participate on selected tracks. The album presents thirteen movements / pieces based on the book “The Third Policeman” by Irish writer Flann O`BrienFind albums by this artist. The album was released on the short-lived legendary Ah Um label. The album offers quite unusual instrumentation, similar to a small orchestra, as well as beautiful cross-genre compositions, which combine Jazz with Classical Music, cinematic, vaudeville, Irish Folklore and other influences, and is a superb example of Bates’ great talent as a composer / orchestrator. The music is quite complex and reflects the convoluted plot of the book, which of course is worth reading on its own merits. In some respects, one can look at the album as a soundtrack to a movie, based on the book, which alas was not yet filmed, but surely deserves to be, with the soundtrack already ready. The album is a great opportunity to discover a different musical personality of Bates, much unlike his more familiar Jazz image. It remains to be one of my favorite albums in his extensive recorded legacy. Overall, this is another 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: 12/03/2025Posted: 12/03/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ FINE `N YELLOW GONZO 014 (Barcode: 5060230860428) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2009 Released: 2010 British pianist / composer Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist seems to have found the fountain of youth. Now, at the end of his fifth decade as one of the most important European music makers, leader, prophet, innovator and magician, Westbrook continues to astonish his devotees with new music, alas less frequently than in the past. Accompanied by his faithful life and musical partner, wife, singer / lyricist Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist and a team of superb instrumentalists, Mike created this new album, which is dedicated to the memory of a couple of their friends and supporters Margery and John Styles, who are now both deceased. Obviously a work of love and deep gratitude, this new musical journey takes the listener through different chapters in the Styles´ life´s story, as told by Kate´s lyrics and ornamented by Mike´s music. Musically Mike uses the Blues as the basis for all his compositions on this album, which is somewhat unusual for him, although not entirely unexpected. The four musicians accompanying the Westbrooks on this album are reedmen Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist and Peter WhymanFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve BerryFind albums by this artist and legendary drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, who also directed, engineered and mixed this album in his Temple Music studios. The production and sound quality are truly amazing, which adds to the overall pleasure and delight of listening to the music. Biscoe and Whyman solo beautifully, both on saxophones and clarinets, often interplaying and exchanging licks fiercely. Berry´s bass is both precise and inspired, gluing the music together and Hiseman´s drumming is outstanding, tasteful and incredibly musical above all. Listening to Hiseman´s contributions here one can really hear the difference between drumming and playing the drums. Mike plays some very nice keyboards parts in addition to his usual piano contributions. Kate´s vocal delivery is strong, clear and exquisite as usual with her theatrical trickery of twisting the vocals any way she pleases still amazing every time. Overall this is one of the best albums I´ve heard in a long time, a complete experience, both aesthetical and intellectual, as all good Art should be able to consist of. This one goes beyond any recommendation, being simply a masterpiece and an essential musical experience!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ GLAD DAY ENJA 9376 (Barcode: 063757937623) ~ UK ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 1997 Released: 1999 This is a 2CD album presenting the studio recording of the "Glad Day" Jazz & Poetry project, which combines the poems of celebrated British poet William BlakeFind albums by this artist with the music composed by British pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, recorded in November 1997 at C.T.S. Studios in London. The music was performed by vocalists Phil MintonFind albums by this artist and Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist, with Mike Westbrook on piano, saxophonists Peter WhymanFind albums by this artist, Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist and Chris BiscoeFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve BerryFind albums by this artist and drummer Dave BarryFind albums by this artist. The Senior Girls Choir of Blackheath Conservatoire of MusicFind albums by this artist, directed by Lucy McAlaryFind albums by this artist appears on fire tracks and four guitarists appear on one track. The album presents twelve tracks, all composed by Mike Westbrook. Westbrook´s association with the poetry of Blake goes back to the early days of his career, with the release of the legendary album "Tyger (A Celebration Of William Blake)Find albums with this title" released in 1971, which remains criminally unreleased on CD to this very day. In 1980 Westbrook released another Blake related album called "The Westbrook Blake (Bright As Fire)Find albums with this title" and then in 1999 he released this studio version of "Glad DayFind albums with this title" as a 2CD album, which was followed by a live version “Glad Day LiveFind albums with this title”, filmed and recorded in 2008 and released in 2014 as a DVD / CD set. Ten of the twelve compositions included in the studio version are present on the live album. The poignant and truly revolutionary poetry of Blake challenged Westbrook to create some of his most magnificent work, combining the British traditions of Folk, Classical and Choral music with his Jazz inspirations. The result is one of the most inspiring Jazz & Poetry projects ever created. It offers a sublime balance between the lyrics and the instrumental parts, which compliment each other perfectly. The carefully selected group of musicians performing the music is absolutely perfect for the job. Mike Westbrook plays several deeply moving solo piano parts, as do all other musicians on their respective instruments. Steve Berry is equally proficient playing arco and rhythmic pulsations. The unusual instrumental setting works out magnificently. Minton and Kate Westbrook are as usual beautifully expressive, sensitive and elegant. The choir parts are delicate and modest, as required by this fragile sonic environment. In short this is simply a perfect piece of musical artistry from start to finish. For British Jazz lovers and Westbrook followers this is an absolute must of course. For music connoisseurs not familiar with his work (shame on you!) this is a perfect introduction to his musical world, accessible to every sensitive person on this planet.

Updated: 09/09/2024Posted: 09/09/2024

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ GLAD DAY LIVE WESTBROOK 002CD (Barcode: 5060195515791) ~ UK ~ Jazz & Poetry Recorded: 2008 Released: 2014 This is a DVD / CD set presenting a live recording of the "Glad Day" Jazz & Poetry project, which combines the poems of celebrated British poet William BlakeFind albums by this artist with the music composed by British pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist. Filmed and recorded in concert in December 2008 at Toynbee Studios in London, the music was performed by vocalists Phil MintonFind albums by this artist and Kate WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Mike Westbrook on piano, accordionist Karen StreetFind albums by this artist, violinist Billy ThompsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve BerryFind albums by this artist and the London College of Music Chamber ChoirFind albums by this artist directed by Paul AyersFind albums by this artist. Most of the compositions were arranged by Adrian MitchellFind albums by this artist, and a couple of them by Kate Westbrook. The filming and recording of this material involved the lamented Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The material on the DVD and CD is identical except for one track on the CD which was re-recorded a day later. Westbrook´s association with the poetry of Blake goes back to the early days of his career, with the release of the legendary album "Tyger (A Celebration Of William Blake)Find albums with this title" released in 1971, which also involved Mitchell, and which remains criminally unreleased on CD to this very day. In 1980 Westbrook released another Blake related album called "The Westbrook Blake (Bright As Fire)Find albums with this title" and then in 1999 he released the studio version of "Glad DayFind albums by this artist" as a 2CD album. Ten of the twelve compositions included in the studio version are present on this live album. The poignant and truly revolutionary poetry of Blake challenged Westbrook to create some of his most magnificent work, combining the British traditions of Folk, Classical and Choral music with his Jazz inspirations. The result is one of the most inspiring Jazz & Poetry projects ever created. It offers a sublime balance between the lyrics and the instrumental parts, which compliment each other perfectly. The carefully selected group of musicians performing the music is absolutely perfect for the job. Mike Westbrook plays several deeply moving solo piano parts, as do Thompson and Street on their respective instruments. Berry is equally proficient playing arco and rhythmic pulsations. The unusual instrumental setting (accordion & violin) works out magnificently. Minton and Kate Westbrook are as usual beautifully expressive, sensitive and elegant. The choir parts are delicate and modest, as required by this fragile sonic environment. In short this is simply a perfect piece of musical artistry from start to finish. For British Jazz lovers and Westbrook followers this is an absolute must of course. For music connoisseurs not familiar with his work (shame on you!) this is a perfect introduction to his musical world, accessible to every sensitive person on this planet.

Updated: 10/10/2018Posted: 10/10/2018

DVD+CD 2 Recommend To A Friend