Record Reviews
2 Reviews Found. Use search to find more reviews or follow the links in the review text.
  | JON HISEMAN ~ A NIGHT IN THE SUN
BLACK SUN 15043 (Barcode: 013711504224) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1981 Released: 2012
This is a reissue / remaster of an obscure album by British drummer / composer / bandleader Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist, recorded in Brazil with a group of local musicians, led by trumpeter Marcio MontarroyosFind albums by this artist with guitarist Sergio DiasFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Lincoln OlivettiFind albums by this artist, bassist Jamil JoanesFind albums by this artist and several others. The album presents seven tracks, which are original compositions by Montarroyos and Dias (two each), Olivetti and Joanes (one each) and finally one by Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist (Jon’s wife).
The music is a wonderful amalgam of melodic themes, spiced with Brazilian rhythmic influences and arranged with a Brass-Rock, Funky and Groovy accents, led by Hiseman’s dynamic drumming and featuring great soloing by the local musicians. Although on the lighter side of the Jazz spectrum, the album is full of excellent music and a great trip down the memory lane, as well as another musical treasure in Hiseman’s recorded legacy.
The album was produced by Eckart RahnFind albums by this artist, who founded the legendary German label KuckuckFind albums on this label Records in the late 1960s, which released this album originally in 1981.
Overall, this is a most welcome reissue of a forgotten little gem, recorded by one of the most important figures on the British Jazz and Jaz-Rock scene, the late Jon Hiseman, whom I had the pleasure to know for many years. We miss you, my Friend!
| | Updated: 30/01/2024Posted: 30/01/2024 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | JON MARK ~ ALHAMBRA
KUCKUCK 11100 (Barcode: 013711110029) ~ UK ~ Electronic & Ambient
Recorded: 1992 Released: 1992
This is a solo album by British guitarist / vocalist / composer Jon MarkFind albums by this artist. It presents eleven tracks composed, orchestrated and performed by Mark.
Mark is one of my all-time favorite artists from the British Jazz / Jazz-Rock scene, when he was a member of John MayallFind albums by this artist’s bands and later co-led the brilliant Mark-AlmondFind albums by this artist group with saxophonists Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist. The series of stunning albums Mark-Almond recorded in the 1970s are all absolutely stunning and lost nothing of their charm to this day. Mark left UK for New Zealand in the mid-1980s and there continued his solo career, releasing a series of Ambient / New Age / World Music albums, this one being one of them.
As the title suggests, the music on this album is soaked in Spanish / Flamenco motives, telling the story of the Alhambra palace in Granada, one of the greatest architectural wonders of the world. The overall ambience of the synthesizer created music reflects the New Age trend that dominated the mid-1990s, but the music is excellent, reflecting Mark’s talent, which is undeniable.
Overall, this is an excellent reminder of Jon Mark, a great musician, who sadly left us in 2021, who’s music, regardless of its stylistic direction, was always a source of joy and a testament of great taste.
| | Updated: 25/06/2026Posted: 25/06/2026 | CD 1 Gold Recommend To A Friend |
|
