Record Reviews

STAN TRACEY ~ THE RETURN OF CAPTAIN ADVENTURE TENTOTEN 753 (Barcode: 5060052777539) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1975 Released: 2006 This is an expanded reissue of the classic album by British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live on November 3rd, 1975 at the 100 Club in London, a Mecca of the London Jazz scene at the time, where I have spent more evenings deep into the night than I can remember, by a fabulous quartet (well all of Stan’s quartet were fabulous) with saxophonist Art ThemenFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist, and was released on LP as “Captain AdventureFind albums with this title” on the SteamFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Stan, in 1976. The LP offered just four tracks captured that night and only thirty years later this magnificent 2CD reissue appeared, offering seven previously unreleased tracks recorded that night, almost tripling the playing time of the music. This reissue was released on the TenToTenFind albums on this label Records label, owned by Stan’s son, drummer Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist. Of the eleven tracks on this album, ten are original compositions by Tracey and one is a standard. The music is absolutely stunning from start to finish, with all members of the quartet playing marvelously and due to the special atmosphere in the club explode into lengthy hair-raising solo performances. No wonder that “Captain Adventure” is considered as Tracey’s second-best album after the groundbreaking “Under Milk WoodFind albums with this title”. Themen shows his virtuosity and amazing improvisational skill, Green is unmistakably steady as a rock and superbly melodic and Spring swings like a clockwork. As a result, this is surely one of the best live British Jazz albums of all time. It is fascinating to see the progress towards Free Jazz made by Tracey and his crew. Although the music is still based on clear melodic themes, the improvisations spread towards a much less defined musical structures, especially in Themen’s soloing. Tracey’s idiosyncratic piano playing, based on series of single notes rather than chords, is present vividly and delightfully for the entire duration of the music. Overall, this is an absolute marvel of an album, a timeless gem that deserves an honorable place in every British Jazz record collection, no questions asked. Sadly, this reissue is already out of print since years, so it might be a while until a copy can be found, but the effort is absolutely worth it. Happy hunting!

Updated: 13/01/2023Posted: 13/01/2023

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend