Record Reviews

JOHN TAYLOR / CREATIVE JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ EXITS AND ENTRANCES OH NO! 1001 (Barcode: 5017771113025) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1997 Released: 2001 This is an album by legendary British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist recorded with the Creative Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which for this recording was a septet comprising of saxophonists Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Andy SchofieldFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, trombonist Liam KirkmanFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, guitarist David ChevallierFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Taylor. The music was commissioned by the Creative Arts Orchestra and the album was produced by the orchestra´s founder Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, who also released this album on his own label Oh No!Find albums on this label, which turned out to be the only album released by that label. The music is a wonderful modern Jazz, based on Taylors themes but very open to improvisations by the orchestra, which often develop into conversations between duos, trios and quartets within the octet and come together to the full octet lineup only during the conclusions of the pieces. The bass parts, which are replaced by the tuba, change the entire rhythm section perception and leave the main rhythmic concept of the pieces to be driven by the drums. In many respects this album is one of the most open / improvised recordings by Taylor, who is usually associated with the typical British long melodic processions. There is till plenty of that in the music, but it is much more fragmented and loosely associated, which for lovers of Improvised Music is absolutely delightful. In retrospect this is one of the least known recordings by Taylor, which of course is criminally unjustified. At the time this music was recorded British Jazz almost entirely said farewell to Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which characterized the genre just a couple of decades earlier, and is a superb reminder of the fact, that Avant-Garde music can be not only extraordinary inventive but at the same time also insanely beautiful. Overall this is a wonderful album, which presents Taylor at his very best both as a pianist and even more so as a composer. Surrounded by some of the best British players at the time, Taylor managed to produce a monumental piece of ensemble music, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and beauty over time. For his many fans, as well as connoisseurs of British Jazz and collectors, this is a true marvel!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 02/04/2019

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