Record Reviews

GORDON BECK / GYROSCOPE ~ PROGRESS JAZZ IN BRITAIN 12 (Barcode: 5060774190777) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2024 This is an archival album by the British pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, which collects the available recordings of the short-lived GyroscopeFind albums by this artist ensemble from 1973 and 1974. The work on this project goes back a few years, to the early days of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, and after being delayed for various reasons, was finally released in 2024. The convoluted story of the “making of…” is described in the wonderfully informative extended booklet, included with the 3CD album. The album presents eighteen lengthy tracks, sourced from rehearsals, live gigs and radio broadcasts. Four of these tracks were previously released on cassette only on Beck’s JaguarFind albums on this label Records label as “One, Two, Three… Go!Find albums with this title”, and the rest are all previously unreleased. Gyroscope consisted of Beck on piano / electric piano, saxophonist / flautist Brian SmithFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist / flautist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist replaced Smith in late 1973. The music, as expected, is absolutely brilliant, which is not surprising to anybody familiar with Beck’s work as leader and sideman. His extensive recorded legacy, which spans over thirty albums, is full of sublime music, which has always been one of my personal British Jazz favorites. His 1980s / 1990s releases on French OwlFind albums on this label and JMSFind albums on this label labels are among my favorites, but everything he recorded was blessed by his incredible talent and good taste. These early 1970s recordings are especially interesting for two reasons: Firstly, the extensive use of the electric piano: Beck was enamored with the instrument and managed to create way more than one would expect was possible from the limited (in comparison to the acoustic piano) instrumented, being a true innovator, which is plainly audible on this album. Secondly, the stylistic freedom, which was somewhat typical at the time especially in British Jazz, which allowed an unrestrained mixture of Jazz subgenres to united “under one roof” so to speak. As a result, we can hear on this album Latin, Funk, Modern Jazz, Modal, post-Bebop and even some Free Jazz touches, which swiftly move from one to the other, in complete fluency and harmony. Overall, this is a true gem of an album, worth the long wait, which is richly rewarded by the sublime musical content. For me it is one of the most important Jazz In Britain releases so far, not only because of my personal love of everything Gordon Beck related, but because it offers a comprehensive, well researched and put together piece of British Jazz history. As such, it is of course absolutely essential to all British Jazz lovers!

Updated: 12/01/2025Posted: 12/01/2025

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GORDON BECK ~ PAY NOW, LIVE LATER: LIVE AT THE BASS CLEF `85 JAZZ IN BRITAIN 75 (Barcode: 5060774190968) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1985 Released: 2025 This is an archival live album the British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, recorded in a trio and quintet settings with saxophonists Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Iain BallamyFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, six of which are original compositions by Beck and one is by his long-time collaborator, guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist. The music was recorded at the “Bass Clef” club in London, owned by legendary bassist / author Peter IndFind albums by this artist. The music covers Beck’s recording career up to the time of the recording, with the first two tracks originating from his early album “GyroscopeFind albums with this title” (played here by the trio) and the rest of the tracks originating from his later recordings, mostly released on the French JMSFind albums on this label label, including those he recorded with Holdsworth. Only one of the tracks offers a previously unrecorded composition. The music and the performances are of course absolutely gorgeous and definitely worth being listened to, and this album, like all the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label’s releases, saves it form falling into oblivion. Beck was one of the most important British Jazz heroes, and considering the fact that his concert recordings are quite rare, this great album is a very important addition to his collective discography. The two lengthy trio tracks present the more Avant-Garde side of Beck’s career, while the rest of the music is more melodic and stylistically mainstream oriented, but by no means less ambitious and aesthetically challenging. Hearing both parts of the live performance offers a splendid opportunity to connect the dots in Beck’s artistic development. Of course all five musicians playing here are some of the best British Jazz veterans, and Bellamy, who was just twenty-one at the time of the recording, proudly represents the next generation of the British Jazz Masters. Overall, this is another most welcome and highly interesting release by Jazz In Britain label, which serves as the most important “keeper of the faith” of the local music industry, and a “life saver” of countless reminders of how brilliant the British Jazz scene used to be in the past, all of which might have been lost forever under the endless musical rubbish piling on top of us ceaselessly. We are of course grateful for the effort and dedication!

Updated: 28/11/2025Posted: 28/11/2025

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ALAN HOLDSWORTH / GORDON BECK ~ WITH A HEART IN MY SONG JMS 044 (Barcode: 3129679004427) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1988 Released: 1988 This is a brilliant duo album by British guitarist / composer Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of several albums they recorded together. The album presents seven original compositions, five by Beck and two by Holdsworth, with two of the tracks being solo pieces, one each by the duo members. The album was recorded in the USA and was produced by Holdsworth. Starting with the late 1970s Holdsworth and Beck recorded many albums for the French OwlFind albums on this label (owned by Jean-Jacques PussiauFind albums by this artist) and JMSFind albums on this label (owned by Jean-Marie SalhaniFind albums by this artist) labels, both of which were vastly important on the European Jazz scene at the time and released superb albums of the highest quality. This album presents the more romantic / lyrical side of their musical personas, as well as their amazing technique and composing depth. The music is all melody based, and the wonderfully crafted compositions are ideal vehicles for both musicians to spread their wings as performers / soloists, although this album emphasizes mostly their wonderful mutual understanding and camaraderie. The music is soaked in synthesizer sounds, since Holdsworth uses mostly guitar synthesizer and Beck uses synthesizer keyboards. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of the Holdsworth and Beck recording legacies, which although perhaps less celebrated, is definitely worth being discovered and deserves an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 04/06/2025Posted: 04/06/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GORDON BECK ~ DREAMS JMS 049 (Barcode: 3129675004926) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 1989 This is an album by British keyboardist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the great heroes of the British Jazz scene since the early 1960s. It is essentially a solo keyboards album, except for a few vocal contributions on four tracks by the American vocalist Rowanne MarkFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions by Beck, with the title tracks being a two-part mini suite. Beck plays piano and a plethora of different synthesizers and even a drum machine. The album was recorded in the USA and was produced by Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist. Starting in the late 1970s Beck recorded many albums for the French OwlFind albums on this label and JMSFind albums on this label labels, several of with involved Holdsworth and other notable British and French Jazz musicians. This album presents the more romantic / lyrical side of his musical persona, as well as his amazing technique and composing depth. The music is all melody based, and the wonderfully crafted compositions are ideal vehicles for Beck to spread his wings as a performer, although his recording legacy shows him as being a brilliant accompanist as well. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of the Gordon Beck puzzle, which although perhaps less celebrated, is definitely worth being discovered and deserves an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 20/08/2021Posted: 20/08/2021

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MARTIAL SOLAL ~ TRIANGLE JMS 076 (Barcode: 3383001867429) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is an album by French Jazz pianist / composer Martial SolalFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic Jazz piano trio format with an American rhythm section, comprising of bassist Mark JohnsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, nine of which are original compositions by Solal and one is co-composed by Johnson and Erskine. Solal, born in Algeria to a Jewish family, settled in Paris in 1950 and quickly became one of the most prominent French Jazz figures, recording dozens of albums as a leader and co-leader and developing the French Jazz piano school. He died in 2024, leaving behind a tremendous legacy, which is an important part of the European Jazz heritage. He moved gradually from the traditional Jazz roots towards modernism, but did not cross the line into Free Jazz, remaining always close to melodic, although highly complex and intellectually challenging Jazz elegance. This album beautifully exemplifies his brilliant ability both as a pianist and composer, and offers a wonderful display of modern European Jazz, with a distinct French fragrance. The American rhythm section supports him respectfully and amicably, bravely performing the quirky rhythm changes. Solal, as usually, performs beautifully and his grace brings a big smile on the listener’s face. Overall, this is a wonderful Jazz piano trio recording, full of beautiful melodies and highly sophisticated performances, which is a sublime pleasure to listen to. This is European Jazz at its absolute finest, and the music, although recorded three decades ago, it still fresh and vibrant. A must in any serious European Jazz record collection.

Updated: 25/09/2025Posted: 25/09/2025

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GORDON BECK ~ ONE FOR THE ROAD JMS 077 (Barcode: 3383001867528) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1995 This is a solo album by British Jazz keyboardist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, which features him playing acoustic and electric pianos, organ and synthesizers. The album presents nine tracks, all original compositions by Beck. It was released on the French JMSFind albums on this label Records, owned by Jean-Marie SalhaniFind albums by this artist, one of the most important European Jazz record producers. Beck was associated with the label for many years and recorded several albums for the label. In order to avoid confusion, it should be noted that the album’s title is identical to the title of Beck’s debut solo album, recorded in 1976 and released a year later on the tiny (but superb) JaguarFind albums on this label label, which still remains unreleased on CD and is a highly sought-after collectors’ item. Seven of the compositions from that album appear also on this album, which makes it a re-make of sorts, which is a fascinating opportunity to compare the two recordings bridging almost a twenty-years gap. The music is, as always, a brilliant example of Beck’s lyricism and superb keyboard technique, which made him one of leading British keyboardist on the local scene. He was a sublime accompanist and played with many leading figures, but his recordings as a leader where always excellent examples of melodic modern Jazz, although he could play Free Form if appropriate for a given moment. Overall, this is a brilliant solo keyboards album, full of great music and exceptional performances, most notable on the acoustic piano. Sometimes romantic and at other moments experimental and adventurous, his music is always an uplifting experience. His death in 2011 was a great loss to all music lovers and to the British Jazz scene at large.

Updated: 21/07/2024Posted: 21/07/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend