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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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

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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

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend