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Jazzis Web Shop News 02/2008

jazzis kirjoitti noin 16 vuotta sitten (33 kommenttia)
ALBUM

This month is dedicated mostly to the releases on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is a bit “outside” of that range and brings an earlier album by saxophonist Don Rendell:

Don Rendell – “Playtime”

Saxophonist / composer Don Rendell is a prominent figure on the UK Jazz scene for over 5 decades. Since his earliest recordings in the mid-1950s and well into the 2000s, his unmistakable tone and total control of his instrument have been his trademark. Although mostly known for his role as a co-leader of the Don Rendell / Ian Carr Quintet, one of Britain’s most innovative and brilliant Jazz ensembles of the late 1960s, over the years he recorded hundreds of sessions as sideman and leader. This album brings back to life his second LP recorded in 1958 (the first, called “Meet Don Rendell” was a 10-inch LP recorded 3 years earlier). The bonus tracks include two EP recordings, one form 1955 and the other from 1959. At the time these sessions were recorded the UK Jazz scene was strongly influenced by American Jazz. Rendell was a member of the legendary Ted Heath and Stan Kenton orchestras and toured along with Gerry Mulligan and the Modern Jazz Quartet, which gave him ample opportunity to hear the Masters and learn from them. By the time he formed the sextet that recorded this album Rendell was a seasoned musician and knew exactly what he wants to do. The music includes four original compositions by the sextet members (two of which are Rendell’s) and six standards. The arrangements are very clever and often quite different from the usual approach at the time, being an early sign of the new way the British musicians were about to treat the US Jazz tradition. The performances are spotless and inspired and overall this is a most enjoyable piece of great music, somewhere between Swing, Cool and Hard Bop. Most warmly recommended.

https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102432


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    ALBUM

    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is an album by a fabulous musician – Johnny Almond:

    Johnny Almond / Music Machine – “Patent Pending”

    Multi-instrumentalist / composer Johnny Almond was one of the most versatile and in-demand players on the British scene in the late 1960s. A member of the Alan Price Set, he also led a septet of young up-and-coming musicians called Johnny Almond Music Machine, which recorded two albums of which this is the first. Soon after recording this album Almond joined the new version of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, which recorded the revolutionary “The Turning Point” album. In that group he met guitarist Jon Mark, with whom he formed one of the best British Jazz-Rock groups – Mark-Almond. Bass player Roger Sutton (ex-Brian Auger’s Trinity), who plays on this album, was also a founding member of Mark-Almond and would later be e member of Riff Raff and Nucleus. Another player, the drummer Alan White, would later join the legendary Yes. This album is a splendid example of early Jazz-Rock, with strong Rhythm & Blues influences. Almond plays tenor, alto and baritone saxophones, flute, alto flute, organ, vibes, mellotron and bass clarinet – surely deserving the “music machine” nickname. His virtuosity (my favorite being his flute playing) is obvious. He also composed all but one of the eight tunes included here. Overall this is an excellent album and a great trip down the memory lane. Wholeheartedly recommended!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102433


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    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is an album by the legendary Mike Westbrook:

    Mike Westbrook – “Love Songs”

    Pianist / bandleader / composer Mike Westbrook is a true icon of the British Jazz scene for over four decades. The immense body of work Westbrook produced over the years parallels the achievements of many Classical composers and in fact should be considered as contemporary Classical music, although he is mostly associated with the Jazz genre. In the late 1960s / 1970s Westbrook concentrated mostly on his work with Jazz Big Bands, which he led and composed the music for. He usually composed large orchestral suites, based on conceptual or literary content, again similar to the modus operandi of Classical composers. His legendary Big Bands / orchestras comprised of the creme de la creme of the British Jazz musicians active at the time and were one of the most fascinating grounds of musical experimentation. Later on Westbrook would work mainly in smaller ensembles, which include his wife the singer Kate Westbrook, producing a series of wonderful compositions often similar in spirit to the work of composer Kurt Weill and often involving interpretation of European poetry and other literary works. This album presents a song cycle dedicated to the poems by Caroline Menis, and features Britain’s greatest female Jazz vocalist Norma Winstone. The band consists of saxophonists Mike Osborne, John Warren and George Khan, trumpeter Dave Holdsworth, trombonists Malcolm Griffiths and Paul Rutherford and a rhythm section: Chris Spedding – guitar, Mike Westbrook – piano, Harry Miller – bass and Alan Jackson – drums, all stellar Jazz musicians. Of course Westbrook’s music is never trivial and requires some serious listening to be truly appreciated, but the intellectual effort is richly rewarded. This reissue includes a super-rare single released at the time to promote the album. Timeless stuff and a must to any true Jazz lover - most warmly recommended.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102434


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    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is the debut album by the legendary John Surman:

    John Surman – “John Surman”

    Saxophonist / composer John Surman is a true icon of the British / European Jazz scene for over four decades. The immense body of work Surman produced over the years, starting with his numerous UK recordings in the late 1960s and 1970s and then through his association with the German ECM label, reflect the absolute pinnacle of European Jazz. John’s incredible improvisational ability and masterly technique on several reed instruments made him a most welcome contributor to scores of pivotal albums recorded in the formative years of British modern Jazz, with such illustrious names as Michael Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, Graham Collier, John McLaughlin (“Extrapolation”) and many others. His work is always characterized by pioneering achievements, embracing new technology and new musical forms and constantly changing, like a true musical chameleon. This album is his debut as a leader and might come as quite a surprise to listeners, who are familiar with his more contemporary works. The album presents two quite distinctive sides of his musical personality at the time, appropriately divided between what used to be Side A and Side B of the original LP. Surman plays the baritone saxophone exclusively on this album, demonstrating his command of the instrument. On Side A he leads a sextet with Mike Osborne (his close associate at the time) – alto sax and Harry Miller – bass, exploring some Caribbean / calypso rhythms and playing music not composed by himself (Sonny Rollins is the composer of one of the four tracks). On Side B the ensemble is expanded to an eleven-piece band, including Kenny Wheeler and Harry Beckett – trumpets, Malcolm Griffiths and Paul Rutherford – trombones, Dave Holland – bass, Alan Jackson – drums and others. The music is a wonderful three-piece suite composed by Surman, a prime example of the British modern Jazz, with superb solos and free-form passages, culminating in a powerful big band orgy of sound. Definitely something any Surman fan will be happy to add to his collection and a beautiful piece of the puzzle representing Surman’s musical legacy.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102435


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    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is a great album featuring John Surman, Alan Skidmore and Tony Oxley:

    John Surman / Alan Skidmore / Tony Oxley – “Jazz In Britain `68-`69”

    Saxophonists John Surman and Alan Skidmore and drummer Tony Oxley are three of the most distinguished representatives of the burgeoning British Jazz scene in the late 1960s and 1970s. Each of them has a most impressive recorded legacy from that period and of course in the years to follow. This album, initially released in 1972, collects five stunning and previously unreleased outtakes, recorded at several sessions involving these three musicians, most of which originate from the sessions for Skidmore’s debut album. Each and every one of these tracks is absolutely superb, and considering the fact these are outtakes, this is ample evidence of the unbelievably high standard of the music at the time. The first track presents the unaccompanied saxophone trio comprising of Alan Skidmore (tenor), Mike Osborne (alto) and John Surman (baritone), which would later become known as S.O.S. and record albums under that name. On the next track the lineup is expanded to an octet with the addition of Harry Beckett (flugelhorn), Malcolm Griffith (trombone), John Taylor (piano), Harry Miller (bass) and Alan Jackson (drums). The third track is actually recorded in two parts, with a personnel change between the two parts: part one is a quartet (Surman, Taylor, Miller & Jackson), that features a rare appearance of Surman on piano, and part two a quintet (Skidmore, Wheeler, Taylor, Miller & Oxley) introducing Kenny Wheeler (trumpet) and Tony Oxley (drums). The remaining two tracks are recorded by the same quintet. Surman composed three of the pieces and his fellow saxophonist John Warren composed another one. The music is absolutely divine from start to finish in every respect – the compositions, the solos and the interplay are all breathtaking. My personal favorite is the incredible work by Oxley, by far one of the most innovative and inventive drummers in Jazz. Oxley’s approach at the time is somewhat similar to the incredible work done by the young Tony Williams, when he joined the Miles Davis quintet. Overall this is one the finest examples of British Jazz ever recorded and an absolutely essential document of the era.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102436


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    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is a double album featuring the first two releases by Michael Gibbs:

    Michael Gibbs – “Michael Gibbs / Tanglewood 63”

    Composer / arranger / bandleader / trombonist Michael Gibbs was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In his early twenties he moved to the US, where he studied both Jazz and Classical music at the Berklee College of Music, the Boston Conservatory and the Tanglewood Institute, where he studied with renowned classical composers Aaron Copland and Lukas Foss. In 1965 Gibbs settled in London and immediately was absorbed into the burgeoning local Jazz scene, first as a trombonist, and later when he stopped to play the instrument, as a composer, arranger and bandleader. Over the years he assembled an impressive body of work as a composer, which has been considered as some of the most innovative and daring forays into the fusion of Classical, Jazz and Rock. He recorded many of his compositions using large ensembles, which comprised of the best British and later also European Jazz musicians, all of which are considered masterpieces. He also composed music for cinema and created many incredible arrangements for albums in the Rock and Jazz areas. This album combines his two first albums, composed for and performed by huge ensembles including brass, string and rhythm sections and including around 30 musicians. The names of the participants resemble the “who’s who” of the British Jazz scene at the time and the main soloists are: Chris Spedding, Ray Russell (guitar), Kenny Wheeler (trumpet), Alan Skidmore, John Surman, Mike Osborne (sax), Gordon Beck (piano), Jack Bruce, Brian Odges (bass), Tony Oxley, John Marshall (drums) and many more. The music is quite incredible of course, very difficult to classify, as it flows between genres and musical landscapes disregarding any preconceptions. Gibbs is a master at creating an internal tension in his scores, which is often expressed by the role the brass and rhythm sections play against each other, with the brass section representing the jazzy elements and the rhythm section (especially the guitar) the rock elements. The music is often contemplative and moves slowly, similarly to many of the modern Classical music pieces, influenced obviously by the composer’s teachers and resembling sometimes even the work of Philip Glass. Definitely not easy listening, but a highly rewarding intellectual experience. For the lack of a better alternative I’ve decided to classify it under Jazz, but this music is truly beyond classification and constitutes a class of its own. Fascinating!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102437


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    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is the first album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “October Woman”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. Garrick first came to prominence on the London Jazz scene in the early 1960s, when he took part in the series of “Poetry and Jazz” concerts organized by poet Jeremy Robson (for more details please read the “Poetry And Jazz In Concert” album description). The quintet, which recorded this album, was established as a result of these concerts, when the Michael Garrick Trio (Garrick – piano, Coleridge Goode – bass and Colin Barnes – drums) were joined by two exceptional players - saxophonist Joe Harriott and trumpeter Shake Keane – the first black musicians on the London Jazz scene. Both Harriott and Keane were virtuoso players and their contributions were instrumental in shaping the exceptionally high level of musicianship, which characterized the entire generation of Jazz players at the time. The music, all composed by Garrick, is also incredible – beautifully crafted and full of lyricism and intrinsic beauty. There are very few Jazz composers around who can write such clever and delightful tunes, often based on very simple basic ideas. This music just has a kind of natural flow, which makes everything fall into place in a most inherent way. This reissue adds to the original album an ultra-rare EP recorded by the quintet, called “Anthem”, where the composer combines Jazz with sacred / liturgical music. Using an organ and choir to create the connection between the two musical entities, the musicians create an amazing amalgam of the two. Considering the time this recording was done, Garrick certainly proves he is prepared to challenge any convention head on and come out a champion. Overall an outstanding album of rare beauty, an absolute must to any Jazz lover on this planet.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102438


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    ALBUM

    Here is the next album on the Vocalion label, owned by sound engineer Michael Dutton, which revives the British Jazz and Jazz-Rock scene of the late 1960s / early 1970s – the most glorious and creative period in the country’s cultural development. Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “Black Marigolds”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This album presents Garrick in three different settings, emphasizing his immense versatility as a composer and player. As usual, he wrote all the music included here. The main body of the music is played by a magnificent septet, which comprised of the best Jazz players on the British scene at the time: Garrick – piano, Ian Carr – trumpet, Joe Harriott – sax, Don Rendell – sax, Tony Coe – sax, Dave Green – bass and Trevor Tomkins – drums. Garrick’s exquisite compositions and the exemplary performances by the players are just perfect. Then come several pieces, which continue Garrick’s involvement with the “Jazz and Poetry” movement, which feature poet John Smith reciting his poetry accompanied by smaller ensembles (mainly trio, where Colin Barnes plays the drums). Smith wrote specific pieces of poetry to be performed with specific Jazz players, creating a unique experience in the process. Last come a few pieces where Garrick turns to two atypical for Jazz instruments - harpsichord and celeste – using them in a trio format, emphasizing again his restless pioneering fever. Overall a beautiful album, full of surprises and wonderful moments and a superb document of the era and Garrick’s musical legacy.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102439


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    Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “The Heart Is A Lotus”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This album presents Garrick leading a sextet (Garrick – piano and harpsichord, Ian Carr – trumpet, Art Themen – flute, clarinet and sax, Dave Green – bass, Trevor Tomkins – drums and the divine Norma Winstone – vocals) and on several tracks the ensemble is expanded to a nonet with the edition of Don Rendell – sax, Jim Philip – flute, clarinet and sax and Coleridge Goode on second bass. Norma’s vocal parts – both when singing lyrics and improvising, using her voice as an instrument – are absolutely stunning and completely innovative. Her presence brings the music to another dimension, adding colors and enhancing the overall effect tremendously. She would become a permanent member of Garrick’s group for a while and their recordings together are some of the best moments of the British Jazz of that period. As usual, Garrick wrote all the music and this time also the lyrics used here. His formal education was after all English Literature, and hence his sensitivity to language and poetry and his writing abilities are no surprise. Beautifully melodic and yet constantly challenging, this is a superb album, which sound today every bit as great as it did at the time it was recorded. A must!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102440


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    Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “Mr Smith`s Apocalypse”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This album presents Garrick realizing a most ambitious work, which combines the elements he was always interested in: Jazz, poetry and liturgical music. It is an expansion of the idea of his earlier album “Praises” and presents a full cantata for Jazz sextet (Garrick – organ, Henry Lowther – trumpet, Don Rendell – flute, clarinet and sax, Art Themen – flute, clarinet and sax, Coleridge Goode – bass, Trevor Tomkins – drums), four soloists (including Norma Winstone and the poet John Smith, who wrote the poems which serve as the libretto) and a large children’s choir. The entire ensemble was called “Garrick`s Fairground” for the sake of the album. The music is majestic, as expected for the occasion, but not without humorous moments, typical of Garrick’s intelligent twists and turns. It might sound a bit odd to a typical Jazz listener, but anybody loving good music should enjoy this tremendously. This reissue adds to the original album the ultra-rare single, which was released at the time to promote the album. Overall a rare and pioneering work, ages ahead of its time and one reflecting the scope of Garrick’s talent and musical contribution. A must!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102441


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    Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “Cold Mountain”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This album presents Garrick in the most intimate (and my favorite) Jazz format – the piano trio – with Dave Green on bass and Trevor Tomkins on drums. Garrick, as usual, wrote all the music, which is sublime from start to finish. His playing is also absolutely marvelous, full of lyricism and humorous spark, virtuosity and inspiration. The rhythm section provides solid and sympathetic support at all times, and overall this is one of my favorite piano trio recordings ever. Garrick manages to concentrate his enormous abilities as a player and composer on this album, which was recorded at a peak of his 1970s activity (the album “Home Stretch Blues” was recorded at the same session). There is nothing more that needs to be said here except that if you don’t own this album, you have a huge gap in your musical education. Essential!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102442


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    Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick:

    Michael Garrick – “Home Stretch Blues”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This album presents Garrick with his sextet (Garrick – piano and harpsichord, Henry Lowther – trumpet, Art Themen – clarinet and sax, Dave Green – bass, Trevor Tomkins – drums and Norma Winstone – vocals) with Don Rendell – sax on couple of tracks. The music, written as always by Garrick, is divided (by side A and side B of the original album) into two parts: part one includes three great tracks, including a song based on a poem by Alfred Tennyson and part two is a five-piece suite inspired by a poem by John Smith. As usual the music is simple superb, as are the performances by the band members. Norma’s vocalese reaches an absolute peak here and her integration into the group’s overall sound is perfect. This is just about the most perfect example of the British Jazz at the time of its full maturity and a timeless masterpiece. It is a shame this music was unavailable for so long and it makes me really happy to know it can be rediscovered by a new generation of music lovers. A must!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102443


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    Today’s addition is the next album by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick and the last of his reissues on the Vocalion label:

    Michael Garrick – “Poetry And Jazz In Concert”

    The love affair between the two Art Forms: Poetry and Jazz goes back to the late 1950s, when American writers / poets of the Beat Generation (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg and others) discovered the “intellectual proximity” between their writing and the process of creating Jazz music, as represented by the founding Fathers of Bee Bop (Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and others). However, although the poets were frequent patrons of the burgeoning NY Jazz club scene, actual poetry readings combined with Jazz performances were pretty rare and sporadic. Only when the Poetry and Jazz concept crossed over the Atlantic to Britain (and later the rest of Europe) the movement reached a full swing and enjoyed immense popularity with the poets, musicians and the audiences. The intellectual crowds in London and the rest of Britain attended Poetry and Jazz concerts in huge numbers through the early and mid-1960s, but towards the end of the decade the enthusiasm diminished. British poet Jeremy Robson and pianist / composer Michael Garrick were largely responsible for the movement’s popularity. Garrick, a graduate in English Literature, had a great sensitivity to the literary works and managed to compose music, which suited the words perfectly. This album, released originally in 1964 as two separate LPs (Vol.1 & 2) documents a typical Jazz and Poetry concert. Recorded “live” in a studio, the applause and the audience’s reaction to the poetry faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of a performance hall. The Jazz quintet (Garrick – piano, Joe Harriott – sax, Shake Keane – trumpet, John Taylor – bass and Colin Barnes – drums) provides the music and four poets (Adrian Mitchell, Dannie Abse, Jeremy Robson and Laurie Lee) read their poems, creating a wonderfully intellectual encounter, where the sum of the two Arts is actually better than their individual contribution. This new addition adds an ultra-rare EP of Jazz and Poetry recorded a couple of years later, featuring the Michael Garrick quintet (with Ian Carr – trumpet and Coleridge Goode – bass replacing their respective counterparts in the earlier quintet) and Jeremy Robson, called “Before Night/Day”. This is a timeless masterpiece and an everlasting food for sensitive souls – brilliant!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102444


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    DVD

    Today’s addition is the a new DVD by one of my all time favorite British musicians Michael Garrick, celebrating his 5th decade of activity:

    Michael Garrick – “Live At Pizza On The Park, London”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been an icon of British Jazz for the last five decades. His exquisite touch on the keyboards, deep lyricism and unparalleled inventiveness as a composer characterize his entire legacy over time, which has very little rivalry or precedence. This DVD captures his exquisite performance with his new quartet (Garrick – piano, Martin Hathaway – reeds, Paul Moylan – bass and Alan Jackson - drums with guest musician Mark Hanslip – tenor sax). Garrick seems to be untouchable by time, as he not only looks great but also plays beautifully, as if no time passed at all since he touched the keyboard for the first time. The music includes some of his old and some new compositions, as well as a few standards (all from the Duke Ellington stable), which get a typical Garrick treatment, with a dash of British humor. He also recites a couple of poems, as appropriate for a pioneer of the Poetry and Jazz movement and gives a chance to a young gifted player as a guest. A most enjoyable performance of great Jazz, which warms the heart and makes your feet go “tap tap tap”. The DVD also includes an insightful interview with Garrick, where he warmly (and with a lot of humor again) remembers the “good old days”, which were glorious indeed. I had a great time watching / hearing this and I’m sure anybody familiar with Garrick’s splendid and innovative contributions to music will do as well. 140 minutes.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102445


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Henry Lowther – “Child Song”

    Trumpeter / violinist / composer Henry Lowther was one of the busiest and most sought after musicians on the British scene in the late 1960s and 1970s. His virtuosity and versatility resulted in him being a member in many groups (often simultaneously) and in different musical environments like Rock (Manfred Mann), Jazz-Rock (Keef Hartley), Blues (John Mayall) and Jazz (Michael Gibbs, Mike Westbrook, Michael Garrick) as well as participating in hundreds of recordings as a session musician. This album is his debut recording as a leader of his own quintet, which includes some of the best young and up-coming British Jazz musicians at the time: Tony Roberts – sax, Mike McNaught – electric piano, Daryl Runswick – bass and Mike Travis – drums. Two additional musicians: Jimmy Jewell – sax and Neil Slaven – percussion also take part in the recording. The music, all composed by Lowther, is a splendid example of the European modern Jazz, which is both melodic and adventurous at the same time. The performances are all spotless and the music flows beautifully, leaving the listener wishing for more when the album is over. Overall the album stands the test of time with flying colors and I can wholeheartedly recommend it every Jazz buff, but of course especially to people partial to the British Jazz scene. Great stuff!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102446


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    John Mayer – “Dhammapada”

    Violinist / bandleader / composer John Mayer was born in India, where he started his musical studies. In the early 1950s he arrived in London to study at the Royal Academy of Music and later on was absorbed by the local scene, being one of the true pioneers in merging the Eastern and Western musical traditions, practically inventing the Jazz-World Fusion genre. In the late 1960s / early 1970s Mayer co-led an ensemble with saxophonist Joe Harriott, which recorded a series of revolutionary albums called “Indo-Jazz Fusions”, which to this day are the absolutely best examples of the genre. Unfortunately with Harriott’s death in 1973 the ensemble disbanded. This album is an absolute sensation, as it presents a suite commissioned and recorded in 1976, but previously never released. A group of musicians, including some of the best Jazz players at the time (Henry Lowther – trumpet, Tony Coe – sax and clarinet and others) and players of Eastern instruments like tabla, sitar, koto, etc., directed by Mayer recorded this marvelous music, which goes beyond incorporating Jazz and Indian music, but also includes Korean and Japanese motifs. The music is absolutely breathtaking and the thought of it being hidden for almost 30 years is truly outrageous. Fortunately we can all enjoy it now, and as usual better late than never seems to be appropriate. I can’t recommend this album enough, as it is a true masterpiece and should touch the heart of every music lover on this planet. Essential!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102447


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    Kuinkas kauppa sujuu?

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    Sorry but I don't speak Finnish. Please ask the question in English.

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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Ray Russell – “Turn Circle”

    Guitarist / composer Ray Russell has been active on the British Jazz and Fusion scene for the last five decades and has always been considered as a first class musician. Most of his recorded output belongs to the Fusion movement and he can be certainly considered as one of the genre’s pioneers. In the early and mid-1960s Russell was a member of the Graham Bond Organization and Georgie Fame’s backing band Blue Flames, two outfits that were among the first to combine Rhythm and Blues with Jazz. By the end of the 1960s Russell started to lead his own groups and record with them, although in parallel he participated in numerous recordings in his capacity as a studio musician. He was also a founding member of the excellent Rock Workshop ensemble and later of RMS. This album presents Russell’s debut album as a leader and is quite different from most of his recorded output, as it is closer to straightforward Jazz then anything else he recorded. Accompanied by three excellent young musicians: Roy Fry – piano, Ron Mathewson – bass and Alan Rushton – drums, the quartet plays some fabulous music, composed mostly by Russell (two standards are also included). Russell’s guitar tone, completely devoid of any electronic devices so popular at the time, sounds more like classic guitar work by Grant Green or Barney Kessel, but with a harder edge and more attack. Overall this is a great document of the era and of Russell’s musical legacy, which stands the test of time beautifully. Great fun and recommended listening!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102448


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Bob Downes / Open Music – “Diversions”

    Flautist / saxophonist / composer Bob Downes was one of the pioneers of the British free-form Jazz. Apart from leading his own groups, most notably the Open Music trio presented here, he also played with Mike Westbrook, Keith Tippett, Ray Russell’s Rock Workshop and many others. He was also one of the first musicians to start their own record label, which was called Openian, on which this album was originally released. The Open Music trio included, apart from Downes, one of the following bass players: Barry Guy, Jeff Clyne, Harry Miller and Barre Philips (the first two are present on this recording) and drummer Denis Smith. Downes composed all the music and played mostly various flutes, although he was equally fluent playing the alto saxophone. The music is excellent and truly visionary for the time of the recording. The level of interplay between the trio members is exceptional and the virtuosity of the players is exemplary and the album lost none of its vigor and charm over the years. A great example of early British Free Jazz at its best, suitable for most Jazz listeners, as although highly improvisational, the natural flow of the music makes it easily acceptable to most people. The music on this album was used several times as a part of dance show, with the trio performing live and accompanying the dancers. Free Jazz listeners should definitely try this gem.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102449


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Mirage – “Now You See It…”

    The short-lived Jazz-Rock Fusion group Mirage is an excellent example of the incredible high level of music created in Britain in the 1970s. Co-led by two great instrumentalist and composers: saxophonist George Khan and guitarist Brian Godding, they managed to record just one album, which was originally released on the obscure, but visionary Norwegian Compendium label (along with some other superb albums), which unfortunately folded shortly after this album was released. The group also included bassist Steve Cook and drummer Dave Sheen on permanent basis, but was often expanded to a sextet with the addition of Geoff Castle on keyboards and John Mitchell on percussion. The group played music composed by Khan and Godding, which was a typical British Fusion, somewhat similar to what the many Canterbury groups (Hatfield And The North, National Health) were doing at the time, with strong melodic lines and lengthy improvisations. Godding was of course one of the best British guitarists, sadly much under-appreciated and respected mostly among his peers. This most welcome reissue expands the original album by adding two long jam-like tracks recorded live, which give an excellent glimpse as to how the group (in its sextet form) sounded on stage. Brilliant stuff, from start to finish and a must to all Fusion-heads.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102450


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    New Jazz Orchestra – “Western Reunion London 1965”

    The New Jazz Orchestra (a.k.a. NJO) was a big band directed by bandleader / arranger / composer Neil Ardley and consisted of the best up-coming Jazz players on the British scene at the time (Ian Carr – trumpet, Paul Rutherford – trombone, Trevor Watts – sax, Barbara Thompson – sax, Tony Reeves – bass, John Hiseman – drums and many more). Ardley ran the orchestra with an “iron fist” and in time turned it into a perfectly well oiled ensemble, which was able to perform even the trickiest arrangements with a breeze. His outstanding arrangements of classic Jazz pieces are all masterpieces of rare beauty and sophistication and he manages to get out of the band so much more that an average US big band playing similar material. Of course the soloist, who are all quite outstanding, add another dimension to the overall sound, which is truly heavenly. This is the first album by NJO and includes mostly standards by American (Miles Davis, John Lewis) and British composers, but one of Ardley’s compositions is also included. Ardley, who was an admirer of Gil Evans, developed a distinctive “orchestral” (rather than traditional big band) sound with NJO, using the various sections of the band to complement each other’s sound and tonality. The overall effect is absolutely stunning and this is one of my all time favorite big band albums. This is essential listening to all big band fans and recommended to all Jazz listeners out there. A true gem!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102451


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    Yeti kirjoitti noin 16 vuotta sitten+/- saldo : 0
    Sory, but i'm not read a lot off about english. I hawe to asck my mommy to help. Then i can made one buy, in cd. Peace..



    8)

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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Neil Ardley / Ian Carr / Michael Gibbs / Stan Tracey – “Will Power”

    This stunningly beautiful album managed to stay on the top of my personal list for over 30 years now and I love it as much as I did the first time I heard it. It simply represents all the beauty, sophistication and intellectual quality of the British Jazz of the late 1960s / 1970s, perhaps more accurately and more concisely than any other one album. It documents a concert performed at London’s Southwark Cathedral, one of the many events dedicated to Shakespeare’s tercentenary celebrations, and presents four major works written by four great British Jazz composers: Neil Ardley, Ian Carr, Michael Gibbs and Stan Tracey, dedicated to Shakespeare’s genius. The list of performers certainly resembles the “Who’s Who” of British Jazz at the time and includes: Norma Winstone and Pepi Lemer – vocals, Kenny Wheeler – trumpet, Tony Coe – reeds, Paul Buckmaster and Colin Walker – cello, Gordon Beck, John Taylor and Stan Tracey – keyboards, Ron Mathewson – bass, Tony Levin – drums and Trevor Tomkins – percussion. All the lengthy suites, although quite different from each other, are majestic and respectful to the great poet’s legacy, often touching on Elizabethan era motifs, even if ever so slightly. The ambience of the Cathedral adds to the overall effect and the magic of that performance if caught forever by this extraordinary recording. Everything that is so great about Jazz – composition, arrangement and performance – is unified here to produce that magical moment, which can never be repeated. I can’t imagine anybody not liking this, and although it’s by far no easy listening, the immediate magnanimity of this music is so apparent that repeated listening could only deepen the experience. Beyond essential!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102452


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Harry Beckett – “Warm Smiles / Themes For Fega”

    Trumpeter / composer Harry Beckett has been a prominent figure on the British Jazz scene for five decades. Born in Barbados, he arrived on London in the early 1950s and soon became an integral part of the burgeoning community. Beckett was one of several musicians who arrived in London from the West Indies and left a most significant mark on the local scene, like saxophonist Joe Harriott, flautist Harold McNair and trumpeter Shake Keane. Over the years Beckett was a member of many front-line groups, participated in countless recording sessions and appeared and numerous albums, many of which are considered absolute classics today. This album presents his second and third albums as a leader, recorded a year apart and with almost identical personnel. On “Warm Smiles” he leads a sextet with Mike Osborne – sax, Frank Ricotti – vibes and percussion, John Taylor – piano, Chris Lawrence – bass and John Webb – drums. On “Themes For Fega” the group is expanded to a septet with the addition of Alan Skidmore – sax. Beckett composed all the music on both albums and they are a prime example of the glorious British Jazz of the period. Beckett’s virtuosity and incredibly warm and clear sound is beautifully complimented by his colleague’s contributions. Definitely a most worthwhile addition to any Jazz collection and a must for lovers of British Jazz form the 1970s.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102453


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    Today’s addition is the next album on the fabulous Vocalion label:

    Shake Keane – “That`s The Noise”

    Trumpeter / composer Shake Keane was born in St Vincent (West Indies) and emigrated to Britain in the early 1950s. His superb tone and total control of his instrument was immediately recognized and the local music scene immediately absorbed him, providing plenty of opportunities for him to play in a variety of styles. By the end of the 1950s Keane almost completely to playing Jazz and became one of the spearheading figures of the British modern / free Jazz. He was a member of the pioneering group led by saxophonist Joe Harriott, with whom he recorded some of the most pivotal early European free Jazz. He was also a member, together with Harriott, in the groups led by pianist Michael Garrick. Keane’s prime interest was actually in poetry and literature, which gave him his nickname, as short for Shakespeare. Playing with Garrick, he participated in the “Poetry and Jazz” scene, which of course was only appropriate for his field of interest. Keane left Britain in the late 1960s, first to Germany and later returning to his native island, where he became a government minister of culture. He continued his literary work and published works of prose and poetry. A few years before his death in 1997 he returned to his musical activities and even recorded new albums. Strangely enough, in the midst of his activity in the avant-garde Jazz field, Keane recorded a few solo albums, which present another side of his musical personality. These albums could be considered as belonging to the “lighter” side of Jazz, where Keane mostly played adaptations of Pop songs of the period. This album is one of these, and although at the time it was criticized as being a “sell-out”, in retrospect it is a real gem. Keane does use a set of Pop songs (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Donovan and others) as the basis, but the clever and unusual arrangements and his phenomenal improvisational skills turn these songs inside out and the overall effect is truly spectacular. A couple of his original compositions are also included and one more by his partner Joe Harriott. He leads a splendid sextet with Bob Efford – sax, Olaf Vas – flute, Pat Smythe – piano, Coleridge Goode – bass and Bobby Orr – drums (Stan Tracey plays piano on three tracks), which plays elegantly and effortlessly. I had a real ball listening to this uplifting music. Easy Jazz? Perhaps, but who cares, when it sounds as good as this.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102454


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    I interrupt the flow of the fabulous Vocalion label releases to add the new Harold Rubin CD – something that takes priority over anything else on my site of course. This is also a great opportunity to let everybody know about the new web site I created for Harold, which can be visited here: http://www.haroldrubin.net/


    Harold Rubin – “A Mono Musical Suite For Three Manic Musicians”

    Clarinetist / composer Harold Rubin is one of the very few champions of improvised music in Israel. His work in the field of Free Jazz in the last two decades created an entire new universe of music. If not for the fact that he resides in Israel, he would surely be one of the world’s most revered musicians with many followers, but alas only very few (but fortunate) people know him and his music. I feel deeply honored and privileged to be his friend and his producer and I will never get tired of his wonderful music nor will I stop singing his praises. This album is a typical Rubin recording – if “typical” ever applies to him or his music – a four hour session with him and two young Israeli musicians: Maya Dunietz (piano) and Yoni Silver (bass clarinet), for which Harold arrived armed with a set of basic “musical motives” and told the musicians to go “wild” and flow with him. The result is, as usual, stunning, with telepathic interplay and imaginative group improvisation presiding. Improvised music is never an easy listening experience, but one has to be deaf not to appreciate the beauty and depth of this music. With the clarinet and bass clarinet complimenting each other sonically and the piano creating layers of harmonic textures, cementing the musical unity, this is a unique musical experience, which must be listened to with attention and openness, sure to impress any sensitive listener. I only wish more people would listen and get hooked, as this is way to good to be anonymous. Brilliant!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102455


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    Following the reissues of the Michael Garrick’s albums on Vocalion, here is another one on the tiny Trunk Records label:

    Michael Garrick – “Moonscape”

    Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been one of the great pioneers of modern British Jazz and his 1960s / 1970s recordings on the Argo label (now reissued on Vocalion) constitute some of the best examples of the wonderful period, when Jazz was at its absolute creative peak. Garrick did made an early recording in 1964 with his trio (Garrick – piano, Dave Green – bass and Colin Barnes – drums), which was privately issued with 99 copies pressed. Over the years this 10-inch LP became not only legendary but also one of the most expensive Jazz collector’s items reaching astronomical prices on the market with only a few originals surviving the tides of time. Therefore having this album available again on CD is a marvel, thanks to Jonny Trunk and his very special Trunk Records label. As the original tapes were of course lost in time, the CD was mastered from a pristine copy of the LP with spectacular results - the sound is just beautiful. As to the music, well I’m not objective being Garrick’s fan for many years, but this is a monumental piece of music – one of the earliest examples of modern European Jazz, which steps way beyond anything in existence at the time. The compositions (all by Garrick) were inspired by poetry, as Garrick was at the time involved with the Poetry and Jazz movement, and show his incredible talent for melody and the ability to “twist” a tune in a most wonderful fashion. Marvelous stuff! I can’t imagine any Garrick or early modern British Jazz fan not wanting this one.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102456


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    Here is another album on the tiny Trunk Records label, which brings to life a great soundtrack never previously released:

    John Cameron – “Kes (Soundtrack)”

    Pianist / composer John Cameron was active on the British Jazz scene in the 1960s, before moving on to become one of the country’s foremost composers of film scores. The music composed for the classic British film “Kes”, directed by Ken Loach, was Cameron’s first film score. The brilliant film, considered as one of the top 10 films ever made in Britain, was a culmination of the 1960s “new wave” cinematography movement, which produced a long list of superb films (mostly black and white) reflecting the life in post WW2 Britain. Cameron produced superb music for the film, a true masterpiece, which is completely viable on its own as well as being perfect for the film. Performed by a group of mostly Jazz musicians, some of which played with Cameron on his brilliant “Off Centre” album: Harold McNair – flute, Ronnie Ross – bass clarinet, Danny Moss – clarinet, Tony Carr – drums and David Snell – harp. Cameron also arranged the orchestral background for some of the pieces, performed by a string section. It is completely unbelievable that this music remained unreleased in any form for over 30 years, and it took the initiative of one Jonny Trunk and his Trunk Records label to bring it back to the surface. Kudos to Mr. Trunk and a big thank you for this wonderful gift of music. Brilliant stuff!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102457


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    I’m happy to add today one more album by the excellent Phil Miller and his In Cahoots ensemble, released on his label Crescent Discs:

    Phil Miller / In Cahoots – “Live In Japan”

    Guitarist / composer Phil Miller and his In Cahoots ensemble have been a consistently excellent source of great music for many years. This particular lineup is a sextet and includes: Miller – guitar, Elton Dean – sax, Jim Dvorak – trumpet, Peter Lemer – keyboards, Fred Baker – bass and Pip Pyle – drums. Recorded live during a Japanese tour, this album presents the group performing the wonderful Miller’s compositions in an extended form, with many outstanding solos by all the players. Much of the set is drawn from Phil's solo album “Digging In” and it is interesting to compare the carefully controlled studio versions with these loose, fiery, live ones. Miller always talks about himself first as a composer and only then as a guitarist, and rightly so since although he is an excellent player, he has very few equals as a song-weaver. Excellent stuff!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102458


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    Yeti kirjoitti noin 16 vuotta sitten+/- saldo : 0
    Do you have any finnish jazz? Eero koivistoinen, Emma Salokoski, Dharmaone, The Five Corners Quintest etc..

    jazzis kirjoitti noin 16 vuotta sitten+/- saldo : 0
    Yes of course I have almost every Finnish Jazz album ever issued and I suppose one of the largest Finnish music collections outside of Finland.

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    Here is another album by the excellent Phil Miller and his In Cahoots ensemble, released on his label Crescent Discs:

    Phil Miller / In Cahoots – “Out Of The Blue”

    Guitarist / composer Phil Miller and his In Cahoots ensemble have been a consistently excellent source of great music for many years. This album is very special in their discography, as Phil wrote the music for this album during the period when his brother, pianist Steve Miller became ill with the cancer which eventually killed him in December of 1998. Phil had originally hoped that Steve would play on the recording but, as his illness progressed, that ceased to be a possibility. In a way this album is a tribute to Steve and is dedicated to his memory. This is a real return to roots for Phil, harking back to earlier days when he, Steve and Pip played together in Delivery, a band which leaned heavily on the blues for its starting point and it coincides with Cuneiform Records re-release of the Delivery album “Fools Meeting”. It represents something of a departure for Phil, being his first venture into the blues for 30 years. The writing is simpler and there is more of a groove in the rhythm section. The usual In Cahoots sextet line up of Phil Miller - guitar and guitar synthesizer, Fred Baker - fretless bass guitar, Elton Dean - alto sax and saxello, Pete Lemer - keyboards, Jim Dvorak - trumpet and Pip Pyle - drums is augmented by Doug Boyle on guitar. Excellent music from start to finish, which of course is not surprising for a band that keeps delivering one great album after another.

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102459


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    The last addition for February is another great classic of British Jazz, the debut album by Harry Beckett. February was a total British Jazz month with 28 new splendid additions (and of course one Harold Rubin). So here it is:

    Harry Beckett – “Flare Up”

    Trumpeter / composer Harry Beckett was one of the pillars of the British Jazz in the 1960s / 1970s. His beautiful tone and exceptional improvising qualities made his one of the busiest player on the scene. He was a member of some of the most important ensembles of the period, led by distinguished musicians like Graham Collier, Mike Westbrook, Keef Hartley, John Surman, Ray Russell and many others, and also led his own quartet. The plans to make his debut album as a leader with his own quartet somehow never materialized, but instead he formed an octet for the occasion, which included the young “lions” of the scene: John Surman, Mike Osborne and Alan Skidmore on saxophones, Frank Ricotti on vibes, John Taylor on piano, Chris Lawrence on bass and John Webb on drums – an absolute dreamy collection of players. In addition to his compositions, the band also performs three of Graham Collier’s beautiful tunes and one Surman classic. The result is absolutely sensational, a true classic of the period and a must for every fan of British Jazz of the era. Not to be missed!

    https://www.jazzis.com/shop/default.asp?item=102460


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