Record Reviews

CRAFT ~ CRAFT KINESIS 1003 (Barcode: 781207100327) ~ USA ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1984 Released: 1992 The only album by the brilliant US symphonic band CraftFind albums by this artist. Two of the three members are ex-EnidFind albums by this artist members, the legendary US masters. A mixture of Emerson, Lake & PalmerFind albums by this artist and Gentle GiantFind albums by this artist, brilliant playing and a bass that sounds more like solo guitar. Hearing is believing. Bonus tracks.

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H.P. LOVECRAFT ~ DREAMS IN THE WITCH HOUSE: THE COMPLETE PHILIPS RECORDINGS REV-OLA 88 (Barcode: 5013929438828) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2005 This album compiles all the studio recordings (1st and 2nd albums and singles) by the excellent US group H.P. LovecraftFind albums by this artist, one of the most important American bands, which flourished in the late 1960s on the West Coast scene (although formed in Chicago, the band moved to California in the early days of their career). Based on the American Folk tradition, the band´s sound was similar to that of the early Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, featuring beautiful vocal harmonies by the group´s two founders: guitarist George EdwardsFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Dave MichaelsFind albums by this artist, playing a mixture of self-penned material and covers. They epitomize the American psychedelia probably better than most of their contemporaries both in the instrumental approach, which included atmospheric keyboards, tasty guitar solos and some orchestral arrangements, and the vocal approach, based on perfect, multilayered vocal harmonies. Unfortunately the group fell apart after recording only these two splendid albums. A later incarnation, called just Lovecraft, released two more albums, but these were nowhere near the original greatness. Fortunately, in the 1990s a live recording of the group surfaced on CD ("Live May 11, 1968Find albums with this title") showing them in full splendor. This is absolutely classic stuff, essential listening to Classic Rock enthusiasts and Psychedelic heads. Superb stuff!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

H.P. LOVECRAFT ~ H.P LOVECRAFT / H.P. LOVECRAFT II COLLECTORS` CHOICE 139 (Barcode: 617742013924) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2000 1st and 2nd albums by the excellent US group H.P. LovecraftFind albums by this artist, one of the most important American bands which flourished in the late 1960s on the West Coast scene (although formed in Chicago, the band moved to California in the early days of their career). Based on the American Folk tradition, the band´s sound was similar to that of the early Jefferson AirplaneFind albums by this artist, featuring beautiful vocal harmonies by the group´s two founders: guitarist George EdwardsFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Dave MichaelsFind albums by this artist, playing a mixture of self-penned material and covers. They epitomize the American psychedelia probably better than most of their contemporaries both in the instrumental approach, which included atmospheric keyboards, tasty guitar solos and some orchestral arrangements, and the vocal approach, based on perfect, multilayered vocal harmonies. Unfortunately the group fell apart after recording only these two splendid albums. A later incarnation, called just LovecraftFind albums by this artist, released two more albums, but these were nowhere near the original greatness. Fortunately, in the 1990s a live recording of the group surfaced on CD ("Live May 11, 1968Find albums with this title") showing them in full splendor. This is absolutely classic stuff, essential listening to Classic Rock enthusiasts and Psychedelic heads. Superb stuff!

CD 1 Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

DICK WALTER / JAZZCRAFT ENSEMBLE ~ SECRET MOVES ASC 029 (Barcode: 5029716002929) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by the British composer / arranger Dick WalterFind albums by this artist recorded with the Jazzcraft EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a gathering of eleven top British Jazz musicians and five guest stars, which collectively read like the who´s who of British Jazz at the closure of the previous Millennium. The ensemble, conducted by Walter, included trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, flugelhornist Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, French horn player Richard BissillFind albums by this artist, valve trombonist Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist and Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. The guests were: vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Alan BarnesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and finally guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short pieces, five of which are original compositions by Walter and the rest are carefully selected Jazz standards and one BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, all exquisitely arranged by Walter. Each and every one of these pieces is an absolute gem, perfectly rounded and complete like a mini-suite, representing all the best in British / European Jazz: delicate aesthetics, superb taste, intelligence and deep understanding of music. This album is one of the most perfect examples of large ensemble Jazz ever recorded and should be a schoolbook example of Jazz arrangement. The music is also beautifully performed by these Master musicians, who contribute perfect ensemble playing as well as beautiful soli, all relatively concise due to the album´s timing limitations, but nevertheless perfectly rounded and expressive. Altogether these seventy two minutes of music round up almost everything there is to say in a mainstream Jazz ensemble format. I have no idea how this nugget managed to slip under my radar for so many years; better late than never is the only solace. The music brings so many memories and associations about British Jazz and its history, that listening to it for the first time was a deeply emotional experience for me. Repeated listening sessions revealed the depth of the arrangements and the incredible craft involved in making it. It is a true masterpiece in every respect. I can hardly imagine a proper British Jazz collection being complete without this album being part of it, and therefore grab a copy as long as it is still available. You can thank me later on, after you have listened to it ;)

Updated: 24/01/2023Posted: 15/04/2019

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend