Record Reviews

STAN TRACEY / MIKE OSBORNE ~ ALONE & TOGETHER CADILLAC 014/015 (Barcode: 5020675971424) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1974 Released: 2015 This is an expanded 2CD reissue of the solo piano album by iconic British Jazz pianist / composer Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, recorded live at the Wigmore Hall on June 18, 1974 and originally released as “AloneFind albums with this title” later that year on the CadillacFind albums on this label label. This reissue adds another CD of previously unreleased music recorded at the same concert, which was a duo of Tracey with saxophonist / composer Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist. Each of the CDs includes just one continuous improvised music piece, lasting 42 and 45 minutes respectively. The Osborne / Tracey duo released an album “OriginalFind albums with this title” on the Cadillac label in 1973 and another album “TandemFind albums with this title” on the OgunFind albums on this label label in 1977, and the duo recording herein expands significantly their common recorded legacy. The music is of course nothing short of stunning, a prime example of the dramatic change of the British Jazz scene during the preceding decade, from Jazz based on the American tradition, including anything between Swing and Bebop, into a full-blown unique genre, which created a new Jazz language, embracing the tradition but expanding it with European music influences and embracing new forms like Free Jazz and Improvised Music. The two CDs in this set differ significantly on many levels and yet have also a wide common ground. Both musicians travelled a long road on their musical paths, and although Osborne was a much more radical and complex musician and personality, they both obviously made many giant steps, before this music was recorded. Solo piano is by definition the most “naked” format and as such the most difficult one altogether, but Tracey managed to record several solo piano album and each of those was a triumphant achievement on many levels – Artistic, aesthetic, technical and intellectual as one. This solo recording is one of them – a brilliant piece not only of music, but an example of how Tracey’s mind worked, constructing the flow of themes and free improvisations glues together as if pre-conceived, which of course it was not so in reality. His brilliant technique is in a way secondary here, as a solo performance is always first and foremost an emotional affair and this music simply explodes with emotions. In complete contrast to the solo performance, a duo is all about combining forces, exchanging ideas, supporting each other, pulling and pushing, leading and following, which is beautifully documented here. The sublime balance between Tracey’s “sanity” and Osborne’s “insanity” is the key to understand what is going on here, and the resulting music is a fascinating example of the “Art of the Duo” idiom. As much as Osborne is pushing the music toward Free Jazz, Tracey is “holding him back” so to speak with his melodic accompaniment, only allowing himself to fully explode during the crescendos of emotions the music leads to. Overall, this is an iconic release, a sublime document of the most productive period of the British Jazz explosion, a point of reference and a milestone of everything that happened on the British Jazz scene at the time. Considering how short Osborne’s career lasted and how limited his recorded legacy is, this is album is nothing short of a Holy Grail, with the Trace’s album remastered as a cherry on top. Absolutely essential piece of British Jazz legacy and a must in any serious record collection. In memory of John JackFind albums by this artist (died 2017), the owner of the Cadillac label, for all his contributions to British Jazz, of which releasing this music is just a tiny part.

Updated: 30/01/2023Posted: 30/01/2023

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HARRY MILLER / ISIPINGO ~ WHICH WAY NOW CUNEIFORM 233 (Barcode: 045775023328) ~ UK ~ Jazz Released: 2006 Originally from South Africa, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist was one of the main forces on the UK jazz scene in the 1970s. He recorded and performed with all the major players during that period (John SurmanFind albums by this artist, CentipedeFind albums by this artist, Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, King CrimsonFind albums by this artist, Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist´s Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist) and his contributions were very significant in the development on that wonderfully diverse and prolific period. He and his wife founded the legendary OgunFind albums on this label label, which released many of that period’s essential recordings and documented the scene probably more efficiently than any other UK label at the time. Miller’s sextet IsipingoFind albums by this artist (Nick EvansFind albums by this artist - trombone, Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist - trumpet, Harry Miller - double bass, Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist - drums, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist - alto sax and Keith TippettFind albums by this artist - piano) recorded only one studio album and therefore this high-quality recording from 1975 by Radio Bremen is an invaluable addition to both Miller’s discography and the overall documentation of this illustrious period in UK jazz. The music is somewhat similar to the output of Chris McGregor´s Brotherhood of Breath (as is the group’s lineup), which played a special kind of jazz strongly influenced by Africa music, called “kwela”. Isipingo is just a bit more on the jazzy side of things. For the many fans of 1970s UK jazz this is a must of course.

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ALAN SKIDMORE / MIKE OSBORNE / JOHN SURMAN ~ S.O.S. OGUN 019 (Barcode: 5020675571921) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006 This is a reissue of one of the most iconic British Jazz albums in all time, the only studio album by the saxophone trio comprising of Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist (tenor saxophone / drums / percussion), Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist (alto saxophone) and John SurmanFind albums by this artist (baritone and soprano saxophones / bass clarinet / synthesizers). The album presents eight original compositions, co-credited to all three members of the trio. I vividly remember the first time when I listened to this album in 1975, being completely knocked out of my socks. The sheer chutzpah by these three musicians doing something so unheard of, playing music galactically remote from anything around, boldly combining the entire Jazz legacy into a completely new universe, and most importantly not giving a toss about what the critics will say (more about this later), was nearly an out-of-body experience. I knew them personally and heard them playing live quite often, but this album was truly something else. The trio came together many months before the studio album was recorded and their early work together can be found on the appropriately titled “Looking For The Next OneFind albums with this title” live album, released on CuneiformFind albums on this label Records in 2013. The time spent gigging together polished their act and level of interplay and by the time they entered the studio, they were completely a three-headed one-minded musical unit. All three players were already established and highly regarded figures on the British Jazz scene at the time, taking an active role in the revolution, which led to the creation of the new, modern British Jazz, emancipated from the American Jazz traditions and limitations. But the meeting of the trio sparked a new level of creativity and “out of the box” thinking, like Surman’s fascination with synthesizers and creating layers of background sound, which he utilizes to this very day. The complexity of simultaneous triple soloing and harmonizing is staggering and has very few parallels to this very day. The new album’s packaging features several reviews of the album, published at the time of its release, and beautifully portrays the rigidness and ridiculous conservatism the British music press suffered from at the time, which opposed the revolutionary trends bitterly. Overall, this is a timeless Masterpiece in the purest meaning of the term. The music is still absolutely fresh and stunning, losing absolutely nothing of its ingenuity, brilliance and spirituality. In retrospect it sounds even more beautiful than it did at the time of its creation, probably due to the fact that we have been exposed to so much bad music over time, that this sounds like honey in the ears. I’d go as far as saying that anybody who did not hear this album, did not hear British Jazz at its absolute best.

Updated: 18/03/2023Posted: 18/03/2023

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KEITH TIPPETT / JULIE TIPPETS / LUIS MOHOLO / CANTO GENERAL ~ VIVA LA BLACK LIVE AT RUVO OGUN 020 (Barcode: 5020675572201) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2004 Released: 2007 This is an album, which documents a live performance captured at the Ruvo Festival in Italy, which features the British Jazz couple: pianist / composer / conductor Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and vocalist Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist, and the drummer Luis MoholoFind albums by this artist, who arrived in UK from South Africa, accompanied by the Italian Jazz Orchestra Canto General, which includes also a vocal sextet. The album presents twelve tracks, seven of which are composed by Keith Tippett, two including lyrics by Julie Tippetts, one is a traditional tune and the remaining four are by other South-African expatriates, who were an integral part of the British Jazz scene: Harry MillerFind albums by this artist, Dudu PukwanaFind albums by this artist and Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist, sadly no longer with us. The music is absolutely fascinating in every respect and the magic of the live performance is perfectly captured by this magnificent recording. The Orchestra features some top Italian Jazz players, like saxophonist Roberto OttavianoFind albums by this artist, who get a chance to solo throughout the proceedings, and Julie’s vocals are as captivating as always. The focal point of the album is a performance of Keith’s “Septober EnergyFind albums with this title” suite, which gets here a sublime reading by all the musicians involved. Although based on melodic themes, the music ventures into extensive improvisations by the instrumentalists, never actually losing any of the coherence, which Keith looks after as a conductor. The music offers some of the most intensive Jazz Orchestra moments ever captured on record, which lovers of that particular idiom should cherish. The album pays a great tribute both to the contribution by the South African Jazz musicians to the development of the modern British Jazz, as well as the sublime compositions by Keith Tippet, which sound absolutely divine in this orchestral form. Overall, this is a magnificent album, full of great music and wonderful performances, with extraordinary Orchestral Jazz rarely heard at such intensity. For Keith’s and Julie’s fans this is an absolute must of course, the same goes to all British Jazz lovers, but every true music lover on this planet should enjoy this beautiful album in full. Great thanks to Hazel MillerFind albums by this artist and her OgunFind albums on this label Records for releasing this music for everybody to enjoy!

Updated: 21/03/2023Posted: 21/03/2023

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KEITH & JULIE TIPPETT ~ LIVE AT THE PURCELL ROOM OGUN 034 (Barcode: 5020675572317) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 2008 Released: 2010 This is a live album by British Jazz legendary “Couple in Spirit”: vocalist / lyricist / composer Julie TippettsFind albums by this artist and her husband pianist / composer Keith TippettFind albums by this artist. The album presents just one continuous improvised piece lasting for slightly over forty-six minutes. The music is a brilliant display of improvised music and the “Art of the Duo” idiom, of the epic proportions. The uninterrupted dialogue develops organically, with the couple exchanging ideas and supporting each other splendidly, and one might say telepathically. Julie utilizes mostly wordless vocalese, which is insanely beautiful, and sadly used by other Jazz vocalists, at least in that extent. Her voice becomes an instrument, which is obviously the most developed instrument out there, completely limitless and unbounded. In addition to her voice, she also plays some oriental percussion instruments, bells and bowls. Similarly, Keith also uses some percussive devices in addition to his piano. Of course this kind of music, or musical experience, is completely indescribable using words (“Writing about music is like dancing about architecture”), and my meager attempts here have the sole purpose to encourage potential listener to grab a copy of this Masterpiece and give it a listen. Overall, this is an absolute gem of Improvised Music / Avant-Garde Jazz, especially since it involves the human voice, which is our God given natural tool of expression. It is an absolute must to listeners, who love to be challenged, and a great document of spontaneous music making, which keeps its power beyond the actual moment of creation, resulting in a timeless, lasting Artistic statement.

Updated: 23/02/2023Posted: 23/02/2023

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HARRY MILLER / ISIPINGO ~ FULL STEAM AHEAD REEL RECORDINGS 012 (Barcode: 676868177927) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 - 1977 Released: 2008 Harry MillerFind albums by this artist brought over from his native South Africa a whole universe of music, which he and several of his South African musical cohorts injected into the British Jazz scene at a time of its greatest glory, not only musically but also socially, when it opened its arms and embraced any worthy influence, be it from India, Middle East, Far East or any other part of the crumbling Empire. Harry was always one of the most revered Masters of the bass and the warm tone and full body of his instrument ornamented countless recordings made by British bandleaders in the 1970s. However, Harry´s heart was always warmest to the amalgam of Free Improvised Jazz based on South African roots. His performances with the Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist and with his own roots ensemble IsipingoFind albums by this artist are clear evidence of the fact. Sadly Isipingo recorded just one album and therefore this new release, which presents a set of wonderful (mostly studio) recordings, all previously unreleased, is a true delight to every one of the many Harry´s fans around the globe. Made in cooperation with the Miller family label OgunFind albums on this label Records, run by his wife Hazel, this album is a heaven on earth in every respect – the music is delightful, the sound quality excellent and the historical value immeasurable. The lineup of the sextet changes slightly on the tracks present here, including saxophonist Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Mark CharigFind albums by this artist and Mongezi FezaFind albums by this artist, trombonists Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Paul NeimanFind albums by this artist, pianists Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and Frank RobertsFind albums by this artist, Miller on bass and drummer Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist. The music, all composed by Miller, charges full steam ahead indeed, preserving absolutely all of its vitality and high spirited energy. This album deserves a well respected place in any serious British Jazz album collection and hopefully will be discovered by many new listeners, who missed this wonderful music when it was performed live, being one more testimony to the fact that Harry´s untimely death in 1983 was a tremendous loss for all music lovers.

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend