Record Reviews
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  | MATCHING MOLE ~ MATCHING MOLE (EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2311 (Barcode: 5013929431140) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1971 - 1972 Released: 2012
This is the eponymous debut album by British Canterbury / Prog / Jazz-Rock ensemble Matching MoleFind albums by this artist, formed in 1971 by drummer / vocalist Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, after being kicked out from Soft MachineFind albums by this artist due to "artistic differences" between him and the other Soft Machine members, mainly as to the shift of the group´s music towards Free Jazz / Improvised Music. In retrospect it turned out that fate was about to play a trick with Wyatt´s ideas, as Matching Mole was about to embark on an almost identical path as Soft Machine. Of course, again in retrospect, the listeners got to enjoy the music of two superb groups instead on one. The name Matching Mole was a pun on the French for of Soft Machine – "machine molle". Wyatt was joined by brilliant Canterbury keyboardist David SinclairFind albums by this artist, who about the same time left the legendary CaravanFind albums by this artist, guitarist Phil MillerFind albums by this artist (ex-DeliveryFind albums by this artist) and bassist Bill MacCormickFind albums by this artist. The group jammed in Wyatt´s garage for a few weeks and by the end of 1971 was already recording this debut album. Ridden by technical problems the recording took much longer than expected and the album was finally released in April 1972. A second keyboards player, Dave MacRaeFind albums by this artist, took part as a guest in the recording sessions, and by the time the album was released he formally replaced Sinclair, who decided to move on to other things. Wyatt wrote most of the music on this album, which also features his wonderfully eccentric vocals. Stylistically the music is all over the musical landscape of the time, with ambient, Jazz and Jazz-Rock Fusion elements dominating the proceedings, but Wyatt´s classic ballad "O Caroline" is also included. This wonderful extended version sheds a lot of light as to the album´s recording sessions with a plethora of previously unreleased outtakes, as well as a couple of BBC recordings made at the time. Of course this is absolutely classic stuff, which should be part of the eternal music legacy as well as an essential part of every serious music collection. An absolute must!
| | | CD 2 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | PHIL MILLER / IN CAHOOTS ~ OUT OF THE BLUE
CRESCENT 05 (Barcode: 604388476626) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 2000 Released: 2000
Guitarist / composer Phil MillerFind albums by this artist and his In CahootsFind albums by this artist 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 MillerFind albums by this artist 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 DeliveryFind albums by this artist, a band which leaned heavily on the blues for its starting point and it coincides with CuneiformFind albums on this label Records re-release of the Delivery album Fools MeetingFind albums with this title. 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 BakerFind albums by this artist - fretless bass guitar, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist - alto sax and saxello, Peter LemerFind albums by this artist - keyboards, Jim DvorakFind albums by this artist - trumpet and Pip PyleFind albums by this artist - drums is augmented by Doug BoyleFind albums by this artist 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.
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  | STEVE MILLER ~ MEETS ELTON DEAN
REEL RECORDINGS 007 (Barcode: 641444027729) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1976 - 1985 Released: 2008
British pianist Steve MillerFind albums by this artist (brother of guitarist Phil MillerFind albums by this artist) started his way on the Canterbury scene when he played with legendary bands like DeliveryFind albums by this artist and CaravanFind albums by this artist, but by the late 1970s he reexamined his ambitions and musical approach and moved to play Free Jazz, as did many of his Canterbury cahoots. In the mid 1980s Steve led his own trio with Tony MooreFind albums by this artist on bass and Eddie PrevostFind albums by this artist on drums, performing a series of concerts with guest saxophone players, which included Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, Harrison SmithFind albums by this artist and Elton DeanFind albums by this artist. The recording on this album present the concert with Dean and it is a remarkable document of the British Avant-Garde Jazz at the time. As a bonus an earlier encounter between Miller and Dean, featuring another Canterbury hero, the drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist, is also included. Considering the fact that Miller died prematurely in 1998 and Dean is also already on the other side since 2006, this album is a splendid addition to their legacy and a delight to their many admirers. British Jazz enthusiasts will of course be especially delighted to hear this material. Recommended!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEVE MILLER ~ SEE HEAR – PIANO SOLOS
CRESCENT 07 (Barcode: 604388631223) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1996 - 1997 Released: 2002
British pianist / composer Steve MillerFind albums by this artist, who lost the battle with cancer in 1998, was one of the greatest musicians on the local scene. From the early days on the Canterbury scene as member of such bands as DeliveryFind albums by this artist and CaravanFind albums by this artist and later on as a member of the Free Jazz community, his output was consistently excellent and inspiring. This album, recorded less then two years before his untimely death, presents him totally exposed, as any solo piano album does – just him, his music and the instrument. Although freely improvised, the music is exquisitely lyrical and although deeply personal it is also communicative. It does require total attention and open-mindedness from the listener, as any great music does, but it is proportionally rewarding. Miller´s many admirers need no further encouragement to grab this superb historic document. A must to all British Free Jazz enthusiasts!
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  | STEVE MILLER / LOL COXHILL ~ MILLER/COXHILL COXHILL/MILLER / THE STORY SO FAR…OH REALLY?
CUNEIFORM 253/254 (Barcode: 045775025322) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1971 - 1974 Released: 2007
This extraordinary reissue project brings back to life the recording legacy the cooperation between of two of the legendary figures of the UK Avant-Garde scene: pianist Steve MillerFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist. It spans the years 1971 to 1974 and includes the two albums they recorded together as well as additional live material by the duo, solo pieces by Miller and the group DeliveryFind albums by this artist of which they were both members. Except for the Delivery recordings, which was the prototype of the Canterbury scene to develop later into groups like CaravanFind albums by this artist, Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist and many more, most of the material is very experimental and Avant-Garde, which would characterize the direction Coxhill was to pursue later on, when he became an integral collaborator to the UK Free Jazz scene. Additional musicians include such Canterbury scene icons as Steve’s brother Phil MillerFind albums by this artist (guitar), Richard SinclairFind albums by this artist (bass), Pip PyleFind albums by this artist (drums), Robert WyattFind albums by this artist (percussion) and others. This is by no means easy listening stuff, but those music lovers, who are ready to make the special effort and undertake the intellectual challenge to penetrate this complex mesh of creativity, are in for a treat. The wonderful balance between Steve’s structured chord sequences and Coxhill’s ventures into deep space creates a deeply rewarding listening experience. This reissue offers a wonderful glance at the most fascinating years of musical development of the UK scene and a historic document of high importance. Kudos to the CuneiformFind albums on this label label for their efforts to preserve this music for eternity. Grab it!
| | Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | STEVE MILLER / K.OSTRA ~ …IT`S OUT THERE
CRESCENT 06 (Barcode: 604388630929) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1998 Released: 2003
British pianist / composer Steve MillerFind albums by this artist, who lost the battle with cancer in 1998, was one of the greatest musicians on the local scene. From the early days on the Canterbury scene as member of such bands as DeliveryFind albums by this artist and CaravanFind albums by this artist and later on as a member of the Free Jazz community, his output was consistently excellent and inspiring. K.OstraFind albums by this artist was Miller´s last band with which he worked up to the last days of his life. This album captures the band live just two months before Miller´s untimely death and is a momentous document of his vitality and courage, while fighting his illness. The music is challenging and often quite complex, as appropriate for such freely improvised setting, but the group plays wonderfully together and Miller´s acoustic piano and synthesizer performances are breathtaking. His compositional skills are also evident here quite clearly, as he composed the entire music included herein. Miller´s many admirers need no further encouragement to grab this superb historic document. A must to all British Free Jazz enthusiasts!
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