Record Reviews

MIKE WESTBROOK ~ MARCHING SONGS VOL.1 & 2 RIGHTEOUS 23:12 (Barcode: 5013929981225) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2009 This magnificent piece of music by British pianist / composer / bandleader Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist is an iconic recording in the history of modern British Jazz. The huge band, which recorded this music, includes absolutely everybody who was anybody on the scene at the time: saxophonists John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, trombonists Malcolm GriffithFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, bassists Harry MillerFind albums by this artist and Barre PhillipsFind albums by this artist, drummers Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist and John MarshallFind albums by this artist; these being only some of the 30 participants. The music is an extended suite (originally released on 2 LPs) with the main theme being an anti-war protest, as appropriate at the time when the Vietnam was in the center of everybody´s attention. The music was composed almost entirely by Westbrook, with a few sections composed by Surman. There is no point in explaining the significance of this music and its pioneering nature (which I have already done many times here), suffice to say that this is an absolute masterpiece in every respect and no decent Jazz record collection should exclude this historical milestone. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 10/03/2023Posted:

CD 2 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend