Record Reviews
8 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | IAN CARR DOUBLE QUINTET ~ SOLAR SESSION
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 25 (Barcode: 5060774190227) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2021
This is an archival album by British trumpeter / composer / bandleader / author Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, which presents a radio broadcast of a live session, recorded in October of 1970. The lineup is a tentet (or double quintet), which consists of Top British Jazz musicians of the time, some of which were members of Carr’s band NucleusFind albums by this artist at the time and other were invited to record the Nucleus third album “Solar PlexusFind albums with this title”: trumpeter Harold BeckettFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Brian SmithFind albums by this artist and Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist, bass clarinetist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist, percussionist Chris KaranFind albums by this artist and finally synthesizer (VCS3) player Keith WinterFind albums by this artist.
The album presents five tracks and the total playing time is only twenty-six minutes, which makes it rather an EP than a full CD. Perhaps with some patience more Ian Carr’s archival material might have been discovered to make this a more significant release, which of course does not undermine the value of the material included herein. The sound quality of this material is quite flat and a proper remaster might have added some glamour.
This session was recorded shortly before the recording of “Solar Plexus” commenced, and includes abridged versions of most of the material that was eventually included on that album, which in today’s terms would have been called a “sneak preview”. The lineup misses the great Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, who took part in the recording of the “Solar Plexus” album, playing on some tracks, alongside Beckett, who played on the other tracks.
The music, as wonderful as it is, appears somewhat hesitant and slightly “undercooked” in comparison to the future album’s versions, which makes this release slightly less essential than most of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label releases so far, but for Carr / Nucleus completists is probably essential.
Overall this album is definitely worth investigating, although does not add anything highly significant to Ian Carr’s recorded legacy as such. As usual kudos to the label for digging this material up.
| | Updated: 22/06/2021Posted: 22/06/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM COLLIER ~ DOWN ANOTHER ROAD / SONGS FOR MY FATHER / MOSAICS
BGO 767 (Barcode: 5017261207678) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2007
Composer / arranger / bandleader / bassist Graham CollierFind albums by this artist is one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz, and his contribution to the genre as a musician, educator and writer are monumental. Although initially schooled in the US (Collier was the first student from the UK to be awarded a scholarship at the Berklee School of Music in Boston in the 1960s), he was in fact one of the pioneers of the European Jazz, accepting the American Jazz tradition as a basis for further development and exploration based on the European cultural heritage. His innovative approach as a composer and arranger were immensely influential not only on the local British scene, but also throughout the entire Europe, especially his usage of irregular meters and time signatures. Over the years Collier composed and recorded a colossal body of work, which includes some of the greatest music of the 20th Century. This album collects the three albums Collier recorded for the FontanaFind albums on this label / PhilipsFind albums on this label labels in 1969 / 1970, following his debut recording on DeramFind albums on this label from 1967. He composed all the music presented here (except one tune) and plays bass (something he was to abandon in the future) and the lineups of the three ensembles include some of the greatest players on the British scene at the time: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist, Bob SydorFind albums by this artist, Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist (saxophone), Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist (oboe), Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist (trombone), Philip LeeFind albums by this artist (guitar), John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Geoff CastleFind albums by this artist (piano) and John MarshallFind albums by this artist, John WebbFind albums by this artist (drums). Many of these players were to become future leaders of course, as Collier’s ensembles served as an excellent breeding ground for young players, similar to what happened on the Blues scene with John MayallFind albums by this artist’s ensembles. Collier is often called the Charles MingusFind albums by this artist of European Jazz, and the parallels are obvious. The music is of course absolutely stunning, from start to finish, and brilliantly performed. Every moment on this album is just right, brilliant and timeless, which makes it not only a perfect document of the era, but also a piece of music that retains its intrinsic values forever. Absolutely essential!
| | | CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | JOHN DANKWORTH ~ THE ZODIAC VARIATIONS / THE $1,000,000 COLLECTION
VOCALION 8480 (Barcode: 765387848026) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 - 1967 Released: 2011
Legendary British saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader John DankworthFind albums by this artist was one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz. Although his career started in mid-1940s he was keen to pursue the sounds of Bee Bop, when those crossed the Atlantic and later pioneered the modern British Big Band sound. This album brings together two of thematic / "concept" Jazz suites written by Dankworth and performed by his Big Band / Orchestra, both being masterpieces of the genre. "The Zodiac VariationsFind albums with this title", recorded both in US and UK, feature some top American Jazz players as soloists: trumpeter Clark TerryFind albums by this artist, trombonist Bob BrookmeyerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Phil WoodsFind albums by this artist and others. "The $1,000,000 CollectionFind albums with this title" (about famous paintings), recorded three years later, when the British Jazz scene was rapidly developing into a dew dimension, features many of the brilliant young players arriving on the scene, like trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist and many others. Musically this is brilliant stuff, from start to finish of course. British Jazz fans will find this stuff delightful, and Big Band enthusiasts will have a field day with this. I don´t think there is anything else I need to add here, just grab it, if this is your cup of tea!
| | Updated: 31/05/2017Posted: | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAEL GIBBS ~ REVISITING TANGLEWOOD 63: THE EARLY TAPES
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 24 (Barcode: 5060774190227) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2021
This is an archival album by British trombonist / composer / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, which presents two radio broadcasts of live sessions, recorded in May and November of 1970. The lineups of the Orchestra / Big Band (thirteen or sixteen members respectively) consists of Top British Jazz musicians at the time, some of which took part in the recording of the seminal “Tanglewood 63Find albums with this title” album, which was recorded shortly after the second session. The collective personnel includes: trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, Nigel CarterFind albums by this artist and Harold BeckettFind albums by this artist, trombonists Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Gibbs, tuba player Dick HartFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Jim PhillipFind albums by this artist and Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist, pianist Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummers John MarshallFind albums by this artist and Clive ThackerFind albums by this artist and finally vibraphonist / percussionist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist.
The album presents seven tracks, four from the first session and three from the second. Those include all five compositions included on the “Tanglewood 63” album. In addition, it also presents “Country RoadsFind albums with this title”, written by Gary Burton and Steve Swallow, which appeared first on the Burton’s 1968 album by the same name, which included a couple of compositions by Gibbs and one co-composed piece by Gibbs and Burton, and which would have to wait for a couple of years to appear on the 1972 Gibbs “Just AheadFind albums with this title” album. The last track is “June The 15, 1967”, which appeared initially on the Burton’s 1967 “Lofty Fake AnagramsFind albums with this title” album, which also included two compositions by Gibbs, including this one, and which would have to wait for forty-two years to appear on the 2012 Gibbs “Back In The DaysFind albums with this title” album.
The music is, as everything Gibbs ever recorded, absolutely heavenly, both as far as the compositions and the performances are concerned. The formidable team of musicians, under his direction, is able to achieve peaks never earlier encountered in British Jazz orchestral music, and these archival recordings are absolutely fascinating, especially when compared to the final version of most of the music included here, recorded on the “Tanglewood 63” album.
So far, this is definitely my favorite release on the new Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which does a splendid job digging out treasures from dusty vaults, especially so because this album also offers the best sound quality of all their releases so far. So as usual, hats off for the team behind the label and waiting for more of your gems. A bit more attention to details won’t hurt…
| | Updated: 29/06/2021Posted: 28/06/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | MICHAEL GIBBS / GARY BURTON ~ FESTIVAL 69
TURTLE 503 (Barcode: 5013929580305) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2018
This is an archival release documenting a live concert by pioneering American vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist supported by a Big Band led by British trombonist / composer / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist. The concert, which is presented on the first two CDs of this three CDs set, was recorded in November 1969 in Belfast. The third CD presents an earlier (February 1969) recording by the Big Band at the Lancaster University. Both recording were made prior to the release of the Michael Gibbs eponymous debut album in 1970.
The first CD presents five tracks performed by the Gary Burton Quartet, which included guitarist Dave PritchardFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill GoodwinFind albums by this artist, and one track with the quartet supported by the Big Band, which included trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Gibbs of course, trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Trevor BarberFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist and guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist. The second CD presents four tracks with the quartet supported by the Big Band and one final track just by the quartet.
The third CD presents the Big Band with a dreamy lineup of saxophonists John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and Alan Skidmore, trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Rodney TealFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris Pyne and Gibbs of course, tuba player Dick HartFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, pianist Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist – a true Who´s Who of the British Jazz scene at the time. The Big Band performs eight original compositions by Gibbs (two combined into one track).
The Gibbs / Burton association goes back to their common Berklee School of Music days. Burton included many compositions by Gibbs on his albums in the 1960s, but for a variety of reasons they did not manage to record together until the "In The Public InterestFind albums with this title" album released in 1974. In fact almost all of the compositions by Gibbs appearing in this set were already previously recorded by Burton. Therefore this historic recording is another wonderful example of their lasting cooperation, and since it remained unreleased for five decades, it is even more significant.
Of course Burton always was a "strange bird" on the American Jazz scene and his aesthetic affiliations were much closer to the European Jazz, which was rapidly developing by the mid-1960s. The pioneering Jazz-Rock Fusion recordings by his quartet, especially those with guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, paved the way for the Fusion explosion by the end of the 1960. It is therefore not surprising, that Burton was able to appreciate the quality of Gibbs´ compositions in spite of their complex harmonic and rhythmic structures.
The Lancaster University recording is by no mean less interesting and presents the very early stage of Gibbs´ illustrious career as a band leader, parallel to his composing duties. The glorious days of British Jazz when the concept of a functional Big Band was still feasible were sadly rather short lived and therefore any document of the era is simply invaluable. The presence of Jack Bruce on bass, shedding his superstar post-CreamFind albums by this artist image just for the love of Jazz, that he always considered as very close to his heart, was far from sensationalism. In the short period of time, when Bruce was closely involved with the core British Jazz scene, including the recording of his superb "Things We LikeFind albums with this title" album, are truly worth remembering.
Overall this set is a splendid piece of the British Jazz at its creative peak, and as such is an essential part of every serious British Jazz collection. The sound, which is far from ideal, has been restored to the best ability of today´s sound technology and the set includes well researched and comprehensive booklet describing the background and circumstances of these recordings, which is very informative.
This set is the fifth release by the resurrected TurtleFind albums on this label Records, a Cherry RedFind albums on this label label dedicated to reissues and archive releases of historic British Jazz recordings, which unearth lost and forgotten musical treasures British Jazz connoisseurs simply can´t live without!
| | Updated: 28/06/2021Posted: 30/09/2018 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | HENRY LOWTHER ~ CHILD SONG
VOCALION 8403 (Barcode: 765387840327) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2005
Trumpeter / violinist / composer Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest and most sought after musicians on the British scene in the late 1960s and 1970s. His virtuosity and versatility resulted in him being a member in many groups (often simultaneously) and in different musical environments like Rock (Manfred MannFind albums by this artist), Jazz-Rock (Keef HartleyFind albums by this artist), Blues (John MayallFind albums by this artist) and Jazz (Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist) as well as participating in hundreds of recordings as a session musician. This album is his debut recording as a leader of his own quintet, which includes some of the best young and up-coming British Jazz musicians at the time: Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist – sax, Mike McNaughtFind albums by this artist – electric piano, Daryl RunswickFind albums by this artist – bass and Mike TravisFind albums by this artist – drums. Two additional musicians: Jimmy JewellFind albums by this artist – sax and Neil SlavenFind albums by this artist – percussion also take part in the recording. The music, all composed by Lowther, is a splendid example of the European modern Jazz, which is both melodic and adventurous at the same time. The performances are all spotless and the music flows beautifully, leaving the listener wishing for more when the album is over. Overall the album stands the test of time with flying colors and I can wholeheartedly recommend it every Jazz buff, but of course especially to people partial to the British Jazz scene. Great stuff!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | RAY RUSSELL SEXTET ~ FORGET TO REMEMBER
JAZZ IN BRITAIN 22 (Barcode: 5060774190166) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2021
This is an archival album by British Jazz guitarist / composer Ray RussellFind albums by this artist, which presents a BBC session recorded in a sextet setting with trumpeter Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, bassist Daryl RunswickFind albums by this artist and drummer Alan RushtonFind albums by this artist. The album presets seven tracks, five original compositions by Russell, two appearing twice in alternate versions.
Before this session Russell already recorded and released two seminal albums for CBSFind albums on this label (“Turn CircleFind albums with this title” and “Dragon HillFind albums with this title”) and some of the material present here would appear later on his third studio album (also on CBS) “Rites And RitualsFind albums with this title”.
The music is already deeply within the modern British Jazz mold, which developed around that time, plunging into open formats and Free Improvisation, but still based on clear melodic phrases serving as the starting points of each tune. Russell offered a completely idiosyncratic style, merging Rock attack with Jazz chord delivery, which made him a new voice on the scene. He eschewed the Fusion direction, staying firmly within the Jazz idiom at the time, sounding like an angry John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist on speed, but completely himself. His soloing on this album, which is much more opened than on the studio recordings, is absolutely hair-raising and deserves to be heard, since after fifty years of Jazz guitar there are very few examples of a more imaginative approach.
The other players support the leader amicably, with Beckett taking the rest of the soloing under his wings and the other two brass players heard mostly on the intros and outros but also soloing from time to time. The rhythm section is brilliant all the way and manages to swing gracefully despite the rather overall Free atmosphere.
With the usual BBC sound quality, this is a superb document of the era, obviously worth being heard by the fans of the period. Guitar freaks are in for quite a surprise obviously, so here it is, five decades old and still alive and kicking. Good job with keeping this music alive.
| | Updated: 30/05/2021Posted: 30/05/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
|
