Record Reviews

ALAN COHEN ~ RUNNIN` WILD / BLACK, BROWN & BEIGE VOCALION 4252 (Barcode: 765387425227) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1972 - 1974 Released: 2005 Two brilliant albums by British arranger / conductor / bandleader Alan CohenFind albums by this artist, which he recorded with his orchestras, paying tribute to Jazz tradition and especially its Big Band heroes. Both albums were originally released on the ArgoFind albums on this label label. "Runnin` WildFind albums with this title", recorded in 1974, is a tribute to Paul WhitemanFind albums by this artist, who dominated the early (1920s) jazz scene in the US, leading an orchestra, which incorporated the best Jazz players of the time. "Black, Brown & BeigeFind albums with this title", recorded in 1972, is a tribute to Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist, who started in the early 1940s to compose a series of superb Jazz suites, of which this was the first and which was unfortunately never properly recorded in its entirety by its creator. Cohen managed to assemble the pieces of the puzzle 30 years later and this is the first time we´re able to hear this magnificent piece of music as intended. Cohen´s orchestras included the best players on the burgeoning British Jazz scene at the time: Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist (trombone) Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Art ThemenFind albums by this artist (saxophones), Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist (drums) and many more. The divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist contributes a wonderful vocal part on one track. Together these two albums are a wonderful glimpse at the Jazz history, presenting wonderful music, performed with inspiration and love. Brilliant stuff!

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JOHN SURMAN ~ THE RAINBOW BAND SESSIONS LOSEN 105 (Barcode: 7090025831058) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2006 - 2007 Released: 2011 This is an album which never was meant to be… Legendary Norwegian sound engineer Jan Erik KongshaugFind albums by this artist, owner of the revered Rainbow Studio in Oslo and a Jazz musician of his own eight, suggested to the British Jazz colossus John SurmanFind albums by this artist to use some spare time in his studio for a series of informal "just for fun" meetings between Surman and local Jazz musicians. These sessions, which continued for several months, were also recorded, although never intended to be released. Eventually, however, the result turned out to be simply too good to remain forgotten, and this album lets us hear this beautiful music after all. The detailed story of these sessions is described by Surman in the album´s liner notes. Surman used these sessions to revisit the early days of his career, reviving and restoring several octet arrangements originating in the late 1960s, which were only partly saved. He also contacted his life-time "soul-mate", the brilliant composer / arranger John WarrenFind albums by this artist, who sent a bunch of his music to be used as well. Finally, of the eight tracks included on the album, four are by Warren, two are by Surman, one is by the pioneering British Jazz educator and pianist Eddie HarveyFind albums by this artist, written originally for the celebrated saxophonist Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, who was a member of Surman´s octet and the last is a Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist classic arranged by the great British saxophonist / composer / arranger / bandleader Alan CohenFind albums by this artist. As a result this album is not only a fantastic piece of music, but also a fine tribute to the history of British Jazz. Surman plays on all tracks, baritone or soprano saxophones (solos on four tracks), as is most of the rhythm section; the rest of the musicians fluctuate between two lineups. The important lesson, however, is how excellent all these players are, although most of them are very little known outside of their own country, which tells how exceptional the Norwegian Jazz in particular and the European Jazz in general are. The music and particularly the arrangements have a wonderfully nostalgic tinge to them, and yet sound completely contemporary and up to date. Although paying tribute to the early days of the modern British Jazz scene, it also conveys a clear message that Jazz genres and conventions are only secondary in the face of universally superb music, masterfully composed, skillfully arranged and brilliantly performed, with zest, elegance and above all love of the subject matter. So even if this album was never meant to be, it definitely defeats the original intention of staying beneath the surface and turns out to be another masterpiece, as everything that Surman touches, now for over five decades. With the 70th Birthday Celebration behind him, Surman continues relentlessly to make his mark on the Jazz idiom, being one of its most impressive champions. Definitely worth getting and for the numerous Surman fans this is an absolute must!

Updated: 11/02/2016Posted: 11/02/2016

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