Record Reviews

GRACIOUS ~ GRACIOUS! / THIS IS… GRACIOUS!! BGO 256 (Barcode: 5017261202567) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 1995 1st and 2nd albums by obscure UK Prog group GraciousFind albums by this artist, which were the groups entire recorded output and in time achieved quite a legendary status due to the fact that the group was one of the first to use extensively the mellotron as their main instrument (along with their contemporaries Moody BluesFind albums by this artist and King CrimsonFind albums by this artist). The band was led by vocalist Paul DavisFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Martin KitcatFind albums by this artist with the pair also writing all the material the band played, which was a great blend of Rock and Classical Music (as appropriate for Prog) with some Jazzy influences evident on the long improvised instrumental passages. Guitarist Alan CowderoyFind albums by this artist, bassist Tim WheatleyFind albums by this artist and drummer Robert LipsonFind albums by this artist, the remaining group members, were all able instrumentalists and provided excellent support for the keyboard-oriented music. The band´s debut album was the 2nd release on the legendary VertigoFind albums on this label label, but the follow up, although intended to be released on Vertigo, was put on ice by the label (as a result of poor sales of the debut album – which goes to prove that Vertigo was run on pure business basis in contrast to its "progressive" image) and release only 2 years later on a PhilipsFind albums on this label budget label, after the group was already long gone. Both albums have been highly sought-after collector´s items for many years and are considered as classics of early British Prog. The music withstood the test of time remarkably well and listening to these albums today is still a Prog fan´s heaven on earth. Warmly recommended!

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

GRAHAM COLLIER ~ DOWN ANOTHER ROAD / SONGS FOR MY FATHER / MOSAICS BGO 767 (Barcode: 5017261207678) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2007 Composer / arranger / bandleader / bassist Graham CollierFind albums by this artist is one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz, and his contribution to the genre as a musician, educator and writer are monumental. Although initially schooled in the US (Collier was the first student from the UK to be awarded a scholarship at the Berklee School of Music in Boston in the 1960s), he was in fact one of the pioneers of the European Jazz, accepting the American Jazz tradition as a basis for further development and exploration based on the European cultural heritage. His innovative approach as a composer and arranger were immensely influential not only on the local British scene, but also throughout the entire Europe, especially his usage of irregular meters and time signatures. Over the years Collier composed and recorded a colossal body of work, which includes some of the greatest music of the 20th Century. This album collects the three albums Collier recorded for the FontanaFind albums on this label / PhilipsFind albums on this label labels in 1969 / 1970, following his debut recording on DeramFind albums on this label from 1967. He composed all the music presented here (except one tune) and plays bass (something he was to abandon in the future) and the lineups of the three ensembles include some of the greatest players on the British scene at the time: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist, Bob SydorFind albums by this artist, Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist (saxophone), Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist (oboe), Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist (trombone), Philip LeeFind albums by this artist (guitar), John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Geoff CastleFind albums by this artist (piano) and John MarshallFind albums by this artist, John WebbFind albums by this artist (drums). Many of these players were to become future leaders of course, as Collier’s ensembles served as an excellent breeding ground for young players, similar to what happened on the Blues scene with John MayallFind albums by this artist’s ensembles. Collier is often called the Charles MingusFind albums by this artist of European Jazz, and the parallels are obvious. The music is of course absolutely stunning, from start to finish, and brilliantly performed. Every moment on this album is just right, brilliant and timeless, which makes it not only a perfect document of the era, but also a piece of music that retains its intrinsic values forever. Absolutely essential!

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

AL DI MEOLA / JOHN MCLAUGHLIN / PACO DE LUCIA ~ FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAN FRANCISCO PHILIPS 800047 (Barcode: 042280004729) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1980 Released: 1990 This meeting of three guitar geniuses - Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist, John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist - captured live, produced one of the most commercially successful jazz albums in all times. The unbelievable technique, the neck-breaking speed, the telepathic interplay and the soaring melodies create such an overwhelming effect, that it is virtually irresistible to any music lover. The album includes also one track recorded later in the studio and music they perform was written mostly by the participants, but includes also superb interpretations of compositions by Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist and the genius Brazilian composer / musician Egberto GismontiFind albums by this artist. Saying anything else about this album is purely superfluous – it is a classic!

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN / AL DI MEOLA / PACO DE LUCIA ~ PASSION, GRACE & FIRE PHILIPS 811334 ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion Two years after recording their immensely successful live album Friday Night In San FranciscoFind albums with this title, the three guitar geniuses - John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist and Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist - gathered to record a studio album, which reflects again their supernatural ability to improvise together in both the duo and trio formats. One could hardly find a better description for this music than the title of this 1982 album, which says it all. Their ability to exchange hot licks, as well as compliment each other by providing elegant background for the respective solos is truly phenomenal. The music is entirely acoustic of course and it is all composed by the three participants. There is a definite influence of Spanish, Flamenco and Gypsy folk motifs, strong jazzy feel and incredible musicality. They truly play with pleasure to please the listener, who should be able to discover new layers of intricate phrases with each repeated listening. A true classic!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

TERRY SMITH ~ FALL OUT SUNBEAM 5008 (Barcode: 5051125500819) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 Guitarist / composer Terry SmithFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest musicians on the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s. Voted the best Jazz guitarist in the 1968 polls, when this album was recorded, Smith was not only playing at the regular Jazz venues around London, but was also a member of the backup group of singer Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who was at the peak of his popularity at the time. Walker, although extremely successful as a Pop artists, had a keen musical ear and was trying to get away from the sugary Pop image by employing some of the best Jazz musicians at the time In his band, which was led by no other than the legendary Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist. Walker used his influence with his label (PhilipsFind albums on this label) to offer a recording opportunity to some of the young and extremely talented musicians in the band, which led to the recording of this debut album by Terry Smith. As this album shows, Smith already had an extraordinary technique and feel for Jazz. Based on the tradition created by players like Kenny BurrellFind albums by this artist and Wes MontgomeryFind albums by this artist, Smith took his guitar work a few steps further adding his personal touch. Of course just a few months later Smith would become one of the founding members of the British Jazz-Rock ensemble IfFind albums by this artist, which successfully competed with their American counterparts like Blood, Sweat & TearsFind albums by this artist and ChicagoFind albums by this artist. On this album Smith is accompanied by some of the best British Jazz musicians at the time, including Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist on sax and flute, Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist on piano and Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist on bass. Of the eight tracks on this album, three are his originals and the rest standards, beautifully arranged for a big Jazz ensemble. Two of the tracks are performed by Smith’s trio with Bob StuckleyFind albums by this artist on organ and Chris KarenFind albums by this artist on drums. This is an excellent album by all means and it’s great to have it back from oblivion after all these years. Recommended!

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RAY WARLEIGH ~ FIRST ALBUM SUNBEAM 5020 (Barcode: 5051125502011) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1968 Released: 2006 Australian born saxophonist / flautist / composer Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist was one of the busiest musicians on the British Jazz scene in the late 1960s. He was not only playing at the regular Jazz venues around London, but was also a member of the backup group of singer Scott WalkerFind albums by this artist, who was at the peak of his popularity at the time. Walker, although extremely successful as a Pop artists, had a keen musical ear and was trying to get away from the sugary Pop image by employing some of the best Jazz musicians at the time In his band, which was led by no other than the legendary Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist. Walker used his influence with his label (PhilipsFind albums on this label) to offer a recording opportunity to some of the young and extremely talented musicians in the band, which led to the recording of this debut album by Ray Warleigh. Warleigh would become famous later for playing on album by the top Rock stars like Nick DrakeFind albums by this artist, Elton JohnFind albums by this artist, U2Find albums by this artist, Paul McCartneyFind albums by this artist and many more. The format chosen for this album was “Jazz & strings”, which suited Warleigh’s superbly clear and lyrical style perfectly. The chosen material (all standards) was beautifully arranged for a large string orchestra and a Jazz rhythm section, which included some of the best British Jazz players at the time, like Gordon BackFind albums by this artist on piano, Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist on bass and Terry CoxFind albums by this artist on drums. The resulting album is a stunning debut, beautifully executed by all the musicians involved, and showing Warleigh to be a world class player, who can improvise freely and yet always stay within the melodic line. Jazz & strings albums have a tendency to fall into the “land of saccharine” very easily, but fortunately this is well avoided here, producing a most enjoyable Jazz album full of integrity and showmanship. It’s great to have this forgotten gem back in circulation.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend