Record Reviews

JOHNNY ALMOND / MUSIC MACHINE ~ PATENT PENDING VOCALION 8417 (Barcode: 765387841720) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005 Multi-instrumentalist / composer Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist was one of the most versatile and in-demand players on the British scene in the late 1960s. A member of the Alan Price SetFind albums by this artist, he also led a septet of young up-and-coming musicians called Johnny Almond Music MachineFind albums by this artist, which recorded two albums of which this is the first. Soon after recording this album Almond joined the new version of John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist, which recorded the revolutionary The Turning PointFind albums with this title album. In that group he met guitarist Jon MarkFind albums by this artist, with whom he formed one of the best British Jazz-Rock groups – Mark-AlmondFind albums by this artist. Bass player Roger SuttonFind albums by this artist (ex-Brian AugerFind albums by this artist’s TrinityFind albums by this artist), who plays on this album, was also a founding member of Mark-Almond and would later be e member of Riff RaffFind albums by this artist and NucleusFind albums by this artist. Another player, the drummer Alan WhiteFind albums by this artist, would later join the legendary YesFind albums by this artist. This album is a splendid example of early Jazz-Rock, with strong Rhythm And Blues influences. Almond plays tenor, alto and baritone saxophones, flute, alto flute, organ, vibes, mellotron and bass clarinet – surely deserving the “music machine” nickname. His virtuosity (my favorite being his flute playing) is obvious. He also composed all but one of the eight tunes included here. Overall this is an excellent album and a great trip down the memory lane. Wholeheartedly recommended!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER ~ AUGER INCORPORATED SOUL BANK 009 (Barcode: 4062548057089) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1965 - 2000 Released: 2023 This is a collection album by the great British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Brian AugerFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents twenty-five tracks, which span Auger’s entire career and include rarities and previously unreleased material. The tracks are presented in chronological order and include some early Jazz acoustic piano material, The SteampacketFind albums by this artist, The TrinityFind albums by this artist, Oblivion ExpressFind albums by this artist and more recent solo material. I have been a faithful admirer of Auger since the mid-1960s, when I first heard him play live, and my fascination never weakened throughout the years. I closely followed his career and fanatically obtained every recording he took part in, including the reissues of his albums, which periodically appeared on the market since the concept of reissues was born. I have always considered him as one of the most talented and inventive musicians, with a chameleonic ability to sound just right in every musical environment. His Hammond work is absolutely second to none and his revolutionary recordings with Julie Driscoll rank among the best music ever created on this planet. Therefore, the music on these two CDs is absolutely divine and it is a great pleasure to listen to this collection, even if I consider collections as a bad idea in principle. Having said all that, the history of Auger’s material being repeatedly reissued by different labels over time presents a grim picture is mismanagement and market misunderstanding, of which this album is a classic example. I am sure that the true fans would prefer a single CD collection of previously unissued material than a mixture of released (which everybody owns already) and unreleased material. From the production / discographical point of view this collection is a disaster, since there is absolutely no information as to the recording dates and lineups of the individual tracks, no information as to where the previously released tracks originate from, etc. In short this is one gigantic blunder. So, my dear Brian, you should really be more careful before you approve releases like this one, as they damage your reputation rather than pay a tribute you really deserve. Overall, this is a collection full of great music, but suffering from unforgivable production blunders, which don’t hurt the music per se, but seriously question the purpose of it all. Love you anyway ;) and hope for some new music coming our way!

Updated: 10/09/2023Posted: 10/09/2023

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER ~ LANGUAGE OF THE HEART GHOSTOWN (Barcode: 885767215412) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is an album by British (resident in California) keyboardist / composer / bandleader Brian AugerFind albums by this artist produced and recorded with the American duo TeaFind albums by this artist (guitarist Franck BalloffetFind albums by this artist and percussionist / keyboardist Phil BunchFind albums by this artist). Several other musicians also participate on the album. The album presents seven original compositions, all co-credited to Auger and Tea. Auger, as anybody reading my reviews already knows, has been my absolutely favorite Hammond organ player since I first heard him in London exactly fifty years ago and still is today. Nobody, and I mean nobody, managed to come even close to his exquisite feel and the ability to achieve a perfect cross-genre (before cross-genre was invented) mixture of Pop / Jazz / Soul / Groove, which he perfected while playing with his TrinityFind albums by this artist and Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist and later with the Oblivion ExpressFind albums by this artist. Listening to this album is like taking the time machine trip five decades back and listening to Auger swirl around the Hammond, with precisely the same feel and sound I remember hearing in London clubs and later on the early albums. The compositions are all also perfectly in the same mold, which simply could not make me (and many of Auger´s faithful followers) more happy. All the musicians taking part in the recording do a great job and except for the vocals, which I could do without (but which are definitely of secondary importance), the music comes together perfectly. Although I usually say that nobody does music like that anymore, obviously Auger is the notable exception to the rule. Overall this is just an absolutely perfect Brian Auger album, which finds him doing what he does best – playing his Hammond like nobody else can do. In contrast to other "revival" efforts by many musicians who go back to the 1960s, which are mostly sad and pitiful, Auger manages simply to be himself here, carefree and obviously happy, which clearly projects through the music, which again is as timeless as it always was. Thank you Brian for the gift of music over the years!

Updated: 26/07/2019Posted: 26/07/2019

CD-R 1 Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ BEFOUR (EXPANDED EDITION) CASTLE 1054 (Barcode: 5050749410542) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2004 2nd album by UK organ genius Brian AugerFind albums by this artist with his group, which now includes the incredible guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist as a permanent member. This is a superb example of early Jazz- Rock / Prog and perhaps one of the best albums in that genre. The sublime covers of Foure`s "Pavane" and Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist`s "Maiden Voyage" sound as fresh as sprig lillies and the entire album is truly a breathtaking effort. Not to be missed!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ DEFINITELY WHAT! (DELUXE EDITION) CASTLE 979 (Barcode: 5050159197927) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 Released: 2004 1st album by the amazingly talented UK organ player Brian AugerFind albums by this artist. With his profund understanding of jazz and perfect technique, Brian Auger was a prime example of all the vital elements one can expect from a great musician. His trio (called Trinity) worked with the superb singer Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist (see her releases), but also recorded separately. The music can be considered as early fusion or instrumental Jazz-Rock, but the labels just don`t cover the sophistication and the beauty of it - just sit down and listen!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ LIVE AT ROCKPALAST REPERTOIRE 1474 (Barcode: 4009910147429) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2011 Released: 2024 This is a live recording by legendary British Jazz / Fusion keyboards wizard Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, captured on October 20, 2011 in Bonn, Germany. It presents an attempt to relive the brief phenomenal success achieved in the late 1960s by Brian Auger and his TrinityFind albums by this artist with the singer Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist, which produced four quintessential early Fusion / Psychedelia British albums: “OpenFind albums with this title”, “Definitely What!Find albums with this title”, “StreetnoiseFind albums with this title” and “BefourFind albums with this title”. The lineup appearing here includes Auger on keyboards, bassist Les KingFind albums by this artist, Auger’s son Karma AugerFind albums by this artist on drums and his daughter Savannah GraceFind albums by this artist on vocals. The album presents thirteen tracks, most of which are contemporary redemptions of tracks from the a.m. albums. The accompanying DVD offset the video version of the same material. I must admit that I had a lot of reservations about this project before I had the opportunity to listen to the music, for the obvious reasons. These four albums are an absolute “Holy Grail” of British recorded music, and any attempt to touch them in any form or shape sounds like blasphemy. But, with all due respect, it is Brian Auger’s music after all, so if anybody could be trying to revitalize it, it should be him. I am relieved and happy to say that these new versions worked out pretty well after all; they are politely different from the originals and they respect the essence of the original music. Auger’s performances are absolutely sensational and his keyboards work lost nothing of its sensational virtuosity and inventiveness. The rhythm section keeps time, a bit less Jazzy and creatively than the original team, but times they are a-changin’. The greatest fear were of course the vocals, as nobody on earth comes close to the vocal abilities of Julie Driscoll, but Savannah skillfully manages to circumvent the challenge by avoiding copying Julie’s vocal groundbreaking innovations, and simply sticking to the tunes, which she does skillfully and without a hitch. She even manages to mimic some of Julie’s idiosyncrasies, which made me smile. Overall, this is a respectful tribute to some of the greatest music recorded in UK in the late 1960s, brilliantly played by the Godfather of the original project, and for me the greatest organ player of all time. The fact that I managed to enjoy the music wholeheartedly means that is respectful to the origin and offers a first class aesthetic value. Thank you Brian for all the fantastic music you created over time, which made so many music-loving people so happy!

Updated: 24/08/2024Posted: 24/08/2024

CD+DVD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JULIE DRISCOLL / BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ LIVE ON AIR 1967-68 LONDON CALLING 5031 (Barcode: 5053792503117) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2019 This is an archival release of TV and live club performances by the legendary British vocalist Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / composer Brian AugerFind albums by this artist and his TrinityFind albums by this artist, which were at the peak of their commercial success when these recordings were made. The Trinity lineup changed several times in this period and included guitarists Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist and Vic BriggsFind albums by this artist, bassists Roger SuttonFind albums by this artist, Rick LairdFind albums by this artist and Dave AmbroseFind albums by this artist and drummers Clive ThackerFind albums by this artist, Micky WallerFind albums by this artist and Clem CattiniFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks recorded in UK and France, which include several versions of the same songs, overall seven songs from the repertoire of Driscoll and Auger albums released at the time. The quality of these historic recording varies but overall is good enough to be listened to and enjoyed in full. Auger is of course one of the forefathers of Jazz-Rock Fusion and his Hammond performances are second to none to this very day. Deeply rooted in Jazz, Auger managed to create a wonderful amalgam of Jazz / Groove / Soul / Rock, which proved be as popular at the time as the most commercial recordings. He is still active today, five decades later. Driscoll was one of the most idiosyncratic British Pop stars of all times and her performances in the late 1960s stand proudly side by side by the most important female Rock vocalist of the era. She later married the British Avant-Garde pianist / composer Keith Tippett and changed her vocal style into innovative Avant-Garde vocal Jazz explorations. She is also still active today, five decades later. One of the tracks on this album offers a recording of Driscoll supported by a large orchestra, which is absolutely unique in her discography. Considering the fact that the recorded legacy of Driscoll, Auger and the Trinity is relatively limited, every scrap of recorded music featuring their unique talents is invaluable. Side Note Obiterdictum Ltd, a company based in Cyprus (oh well you know the story… copyright laws and legal issues) releases mostly live recorded radio broadcasts from the 1960s on and offers an amazing source of music which was never officially released by some of the best Classic Rock and Jazz artists. The catalogue offers five hundred releases, which is an absolute treasure chest of music history, often appearing for the first time. Although the sound quality and sometimes also music quality range from absolutely brilliant to pretty poor, most of the material is surely listenable, especially after being remastered recently, and more importantly offers music which is not available elsewhere. The company releases the albums under several sub-labels: Air CutsFind albums on this label, EchoesFind albums on this label, Hi HatFind albums on this label, HotspurFind albums on this label, InterferenceFind albums on this label, KeyholeFind albums on this label, KlondikeFind albums on this label, Live On VinylFind albums on this label, London CallingFind albums on this label, OrbitFind albums on this label, Rox VoxFind albums on this label and Sound StageFind albums on this label. There is no ironclad logic as to what material appears on which label, except perhaps some internal considerations by the Obiterdictum owners. Approach with caution, but keep in mind that some of these releases are absolutely brilliant!

Updated: 27/07/2019Posted: 27/07/2019

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JULIE DRISCOLL / BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ OPEN (DELUXE EDITION) CASTLE 0978 (Barcode: 5050159197828) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1967 Released: 2004 2nd album by one of the most distinctive female voices ever on the UK scene. Julie DriscollFind albums by this artist was undoubtedly the most talented interpretter of soul material in her unique style which mixes soul with jazz and heavy psychedelia. Combined with the amazing talents of the organ player Brian AugerFind albums by this artist (see his releases), they were deadly. Just listen to Julie`s performance of DonovanFind albums by this artist`s `Season Of The Witch` - this surely must be one of the highlights of female singing in music`s history. The bonus material includes their amazing psychedelic hit `This Wheel`s On Fire`, penned by Bob DylanFind albums by this artist. Absolutely essential in any person`s collection!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

JULIE DRISCOLL / BRIAN AUGER / TRINITY ~ STREETNOISE (DELUXE EDITION) CASTLE 980 (Barcode: 5050159198023) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Originally released in 1969 as a double LP, this was to be the last cooperation between Julie and Brian (well not really, as they re-united for another album years later). This is undoubtedly one of the best proto-Prog releases of all times and one of the best 1960s albums. Julie`s expressive vocals are just heartbreaking and Brian`s jazzy hammond is unsurpassed. The material - a mixture of originals and covers - is very well selected and includes the unforgettable ode dedicated to the tragic Czech uprising (Czechoslovakia), which was brutally put down by invading armies of the Soviet block. Over the years this album lost absolutely nothing of its strength and beauty. Definitely an essential listen!

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend