Record Reviews

ETERNAL TRIANGLE ~ GRAVITY JAZZ NOW 01 (Barcode: 5060774190678) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is the debut album by British Jazz trio Eternal TriangleFind albums by this artist, which consists of saxophonist Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Veryan WestonFind albums by this artist and percussionist Jamie HarrisFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Watts. The album is also the debut release on the new British label, called Jazz NowFind albums on this label, which is run by the same wonderful people, who run the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which produced an impressive series of brilliant albums, which document the development of British Jazz in past decades. Obviously the new label is meant to document contemporary British Jazz. As we all know, Watts and Veryan played together as a duo since decades, but a meeting during Watts’ 80th Birthday celebration got them together with Harris, and this trio was born. Apparently they decided it was a lot of fun to play together, and as a result this album was born. The music is quite surprising, as it is way more melody oriented than the Improvised Music usually associated with the two veterans. Watts always knew to weave some great tunes, but this album offers quite a collection of his more melodic, sometimes outright romantic outings, which are always a great pleasure to listen to. Of course Watts is still an absolutely amazing player and his saxophone improvisations sound as good as they did half a Century earlier, with his stamina and vitality completely intact. Veryan proves to be an amicable partner on his new electric keyboard and Harris adds the rhythmic layers all along the way and the music flows mostly quite happily, although there are a few more reflective moments as well. Overall, this is a great pleasure to hear these great musicians in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere, which allows them to spread their musical ideas at will, leaving us to enjoy the labor of their collective talents. They promise this is only a beginning, and we all hope this is the truth and nothing but the truth, as much for the music as the new label. Congrats are due all around!

Updated: 24/06/2024Posted: 23/06/2024

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KEVIN FIGES ~ YOU ARE HERE JAZZ NOW 02 (Barcode: 5060774190654) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2023 Released: 2024 This is an album by British Jazz saxophonist Kevin FigesFind albums by this artist, recorded in a sextet setting with pianist Jim BlomfieldFind albums by this artist, trombonist Raphael ClarksonFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Pete JudgeFind albums by this artist, drummer Tony OrrellFind albums by this artist and bassist Riaan VoslooFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, five of which were composed by Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, five were composed by other British Jazz musicians connected to Tippett throughout his career, and the remaining four short pieces were composed by the members of the sextet. The album (and the sextet) is a tribute to the music of the legendary British pianist / composer / bandleader Keith Tippett, one of the most important figures of the modern British Jazz. Figes and a few other members of the sextet played with Tippet before his untimely demise in 2020, and the leader directed a series of concerts commemorating Tippett’s music, leading to the creation of this album. The music is a wonderful tribute to Tippett’s giant contribution to the development of British Jazz since the late 1960s, in which he instigated some of the most revolutionary ideas, ranging from solo piano to Big Band / Orchestral projects, which are still perfectly valid today and remain beacons of ingenuity and genius, sadly not present on the contemporary scene. The music is splendidly performed and recorded and offers a fond memory of Tippett and other heroes of the British Jazz scene, like Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist and King CrimsonFind albums by this artist members, all of which made a tremendous contribution at their time. The material selected for this album is a superb review / retrospect glance at the finest moments of the scene. This album is the second release on the new Jazz NowFind albums on this label label, created by the same people who run the splendid Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which produced an impressive series of brilliant albums, which document the development of British Jazz in past decades. Obviously the new label is meant to document contemporary British Jazz. Overall, this is a wonderful tribute album, which offers refreshed versions of compositions by Keith Tippett and other Godfathers of modern British Jazz, splendidly arranged and performed by Figes and the sextet, a great addition to any British Jazz record collection.

Updated: 10/07/2024Posted: 10/07/2024

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SAROST ~ AURORA JAZZ NOW 03 (Barcode: 5060774190906) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2025 Released: 2025 This is the debut album by the British Jazz Trio SarostFind albums by this artist, comprising of saxophonist Larry StabbinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Paul RodgersFind albums by this artist and drummer Mark SandersFind albums by this artist. The album presents four lengthy tracks, all co-credited to the trio members, with the additional credit to Keith TippettFind albums by this artist on the last track. Considering the collective legacy of these three veteran musicians, it is not surprising to find them improvising freely for the entire duration of this album, displaying their amazing technique and experience. The music takes no prisoners and listeners not used to highly Avant-Garde improvised interactions, each lasting for about a quartet of an hour, should be fairly warned to proceed with caution. However, listeners familiar with previous recordings and appearances by these Artists, should enjoy their collective interactions, as they all have plenty of experience and imagination to share with their listeners. There is plenty of impressive soloing herein and collective camaraderie, of the highest intensity. This is the 3rd release on the new Jazz NowFind albums on this label label, run by the good people of Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label, sharing their finds with all of us. Overall, this is music for a very limited audience of Avant-Garde / Improvised Music niche, as such of the highest quality, but for the rest of the world it is simply beyond comprehension and ability of communicating with it. I feel happy to belong to the first category and thanks for sharing!

Updated: 11/06/2025Posted: 11/06/2025

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