Record Reviews

HARRY BECKETT ~ MAXINE ITM 920010 (Barcode: 4250079750108) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1987 - 1995 Released: 2011 This is an album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, released shortly after his death. It presents a compilation of seven tracks, recorded between 1987 and 1995 with five different lineups, ranging between a quintet and a duo. In fact, it is a reissue of the 1993 album “Les Jardins Du CasinoFind albums with this title” with two tracks form the 1996 album “Compared 2 What?Find albums with this title”. Two tracks were recorded by a quintet with trombonist Annie WhiteheadFind albums by this artist, flautist / saxophonist John BurgesFind albums by this artist, bassist Marco CastronariFind albums by this artist and drummer Winston CliffordFind albums by this artist. Another two tracks were recorded by a trio with German pianist Joachim KuhnFind albums by this artist and French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist. One track was recorded by a duo with pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist, another one by a duo with pianist Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist and finally one track by a quintet with saxophonist Courtney PineFind albums by this artist, McGregor, bassist Fred Thelonious BakerFind albums by this artist and drummer Clifford JarvisFind albums by this artist. The music in incredibly diverse stylistically, from mainstream balladry to intense modern Jazz improvisation, but the focus is on Beckett’s superb trumpet / flugelhorn performances, which are consistently breathtaking, despite the changing lineups and stylistic variations. Personally, my favorite tracks are those with Joachim Kuhn, but all the music is truly delightful and should make every Jazz enthusiast happy. It would be a crime to leave these tracks unreleased, so it’s great to see them available, for us to enjoy and cherish. Warmly recommended.

Updated: 05/08/2023Posted: 05/08/2023

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COURTNEY PINE ~ MODERN DAY JAZZ STORIES ANTILLES 731452902825 (Barcode: 731452902825) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1995 Released: 1996 This is an album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Courtney PineFind albums by this artist, recorded in the US with American musicians: keyboardist Geri AllenFind albums by this artist, bassist Charnette MoffettFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronnie BurrageFind albums by this artist and British turntablist DJ PogoFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians appear on selected tracks: trumpeter Eddie HendersonFind albums by this artist, vocalist Cassandra WilsonFind albums by this artist and guitarist Mark WhitfieldFind albums by this artist. The album presents thirteen tracks, ten of which are original compositions by Pine, one is co-composed by him and Stanley ClarkeFind albums by this artist, one is by Gary BartzFind albums by this artist and one is a standard. The album is heavily influenced by various manifestations of “Black Music”, which include Hip Hop, Blues, Soul and other stylistic indices, which are more obvious in the various production aspects of this album than in his playing. His performances are brilliant as always and he remains one of the top British Jazz musicians, despite the fact that his popularity has somewhat weakened following his sensational debut success in the mid-1980s. Overall, although the album fails to present a focused musical direction, it nevertheless offers a splendid collection of original compositions and stunning saxophone performances by Pine. The American team, comprising of top Jazz performers, accompanies him amicably and the result is definitely worth exploring.

Updated: 10/11/2024Posted: 09/11/2024

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