Record Reviews
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  | JULIAN ARGÜELLES ~ ESCAPADE
PROVOCATEUR 1019 (Barcode: 5038491000044) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1999 Released: 1999
British saxophonist / composer Julian ArgüellesFind albums by this artist is considered as one of the most prominent representatives of the second generation of British Jazz musicians. A brilliant player and gifted composer, he first came to prominence as a member of the legendary Loose TubesFind albums by this artist ensemble. He recorded albums since the 1990s and toured widely with his own groups as well as with other prominent British (including the Colin TownsFind albums by this artist Mask OrchestraFind albums by this artist), European and American Jazz artists. This album, his first on the prestigious ProvocateurFind albums on this label label was recorded with a splendid octet, which includes some of the best young British Jazz players, including Django BatesFind albums by this artist (tenor horn) – Julian’s old friend and frequent collaborator since their common days in Loose Tubes. The music is a great example of contemporary Jazz, with a strong melodic basis, but with plenty of fascinating twists and turns and diverse enough to keep the listener interested at all times. The level of the performances and improvisations is everything one might expect from a musician of his statue, and should more than satisfy every Jazz connoisseur. This is worthy addition to any serious Jazz album collection and wholeheartedly recommended.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | DJANGO BATES ~ MUSIC FOR THE THIRD POLICEMAN
AH UM 003 ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion
Recorded: 1990 Released: 1990
This is a wonderful and completely obscure album by British pianist / composer / bandleader Django BatesFind albums by this artist, recorded with and octet comprising of saxophonist Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist, cellist / bassist Steve BerryFind albums by this artist, drummer Martin FranceFind albums by this artist, guitarist Stuart HallFind albums by this artist, violinist Sarah HarrisonFind albums by this artist, bassoonist Robert JuritzFind albums by this artist and clarinetist Dai PritchardFind albums by this artist. Three additional guest musician participate on selected tracks. The album presents thirteen movements / pieces based on the book “The Third Policeman” by Irish writer Flann O`BrienFind albums by this artist. The album was released on the short-lived legendary Ah Um label.
The album offers quite unusual instrumentation, similar to a small orchestra, as well as beautiful cross-genre compositions, which combine Jazz with Classical Music, cinematic, vaudeville, Irish Folklore and other influences, and is a superb example of Bates’ great talent as a composer / orchestrator. The music is quite complex and reflects the convoluted plot of the book, which of course is worth reading on its own merits.
In some respects, one can look at the album as a soundtrack to a movie, based on the book, which alas was not yet filmed, but surely deserves to be, with the soundtrack already ready. The album is a great opportunity to discover a different musical personality of Bates, much unlike his more familiar Jazz image. It remains to be one of my favorite albums in his extensive recorded legacy.
Overall, this is another hidden British Jazz gem, which took me years to find a copy of, but the wait was definitely worth it big time. If you can find a copy, grab it, no questions asked!
Side Note
British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.
| | Updated: 12/03/2025Posted: 12/03/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 | CD 1 Slipcase Recommend To A Friend |
  | BILL BRUFORD / EARTHWORKS ~ LIVE AT THE SHAUBURG BREMEN 1987
MOOSICUS 1215 (Barcode: 885513121523) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1987 Released: 2022
This is an archival live album by the British Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Bill BrufordFind albums by this artist and the first edition of his sensational quartet called EarthworksFind albums by this artist, which also included saxophonist Iain BallamyFind albums by this artist, pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist and bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by Radio Bremen in November 25, 1987, and offers ten tracks, all original compositions by the quartet members.
Bruford founded Earthworks in 1986 after spending almost twenty years as member of cutting edge Progressive Rock bands like YesFind albums by this artist (of which he was a founding member), King CrimsonFind albums by this artist, GenesisFind albums by this artist, U.K.Find albums by this artist and his own band called simply BrufordFind albums by this artist, returning to his Jazz roots. Earthworks comprised of the crème de la crème of the young British Jazz scene at the time and took the local as well as international scene by storm.
This live recording finds the quartet in absolute top form, over a year after their debut album was recorded and following extensive touring, which allowed them to develop the material and their unique musical approach. In contrast to expectations and speculations, Earthworks was a bona-fide Jazz quartet, which did not follow the Fusion path, which would have been more natural as a continuation of Bruford’s musical path up to that moment. Bellamy and Bates arrived from the sensational Loose TubesFind albums by this artist Big Band, which was one of British Jazz most surprising ensembles during the 1980, and Hutton was already a highly sought after young Jazz bassist on the local scene. Together they were simply unstoppable and the level of their performances was absolutely sensational. They were able to create a complex fury of sound, which was completely unprecedented on the British Jazz scene, and Bruford’s drumming behind Earthworks in as absolute peak of his career.
Overall, this album is a “missing link” in the Earthworks discography, from the period between the debut and the second album “Dig?Find albums with this title”, and of course an essential part in the Bruford discography, which none of his many fans will want to miss.
| | Updated: 17/06/2023Posted: 17/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | LOOSE TUBES ~ ARRIVING
LOST MARBLE 008 (Barcode: 873371000821) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1990 - 2014 Released: 2015
This is the seventh and last album by the British Jazz Big Band / Orchestra Loose TubesFind albums by this artist, a huge ensemble, with twenty-three musicians playing on this album. Although it did not have a leader as such, most of the music was written by keyboardist Django BatesFind albums by this artist. This album presents eleven live tracks, the first seven recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s club in 1990 and the last four also at Ronnie Scott’s in 2014. Five of the tracks were composed by Bates, three by trumpeter Chris BatchelorFind albums by this artist, two by flautist Eddie ParkerFind albums by this artist and one by trombonist John HarborneFind albums by this artist.
Loose Tubes were formed in 1983, following a workshop put together by British Jazz composer / educator Graham CollierFind albums by this artist, where Bates, Batchelor, Parker and others met and decided to work together. In a short time, the Big Band became a sensation and won the title of the most interesting “new thing” on the British Jazz scene, which lasted for the rest of the 1980s. In 1985 they released their eponymous debut album. The ensemble disbanded in 1990 and reunited briefly for a few concerts in 2014.
The music of Lose Tubes presented an eclectic collection of styles, from vaudeville and early Jazz to Avant-Garde, brilliantly arranged and performed by these (then) young musicians. They ignored stylistic limitations and any kind of accepted norms, slaughtering holy cows by the herd. Hearing them live, which I had a great pleasure to experience several times, was an unforgettable orgy of great music and fun combined.
Overall, this is wonderful piece of British Jazz history, documenting a unique and spectacular ensemble, which Loose Tubes certainly were. They were always best live, as this album proves beyond any doubt, and although tough to find these days, all of their albums are worth their weight in gold!
| | Updated: 01/08/2023Posted: 01/08/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | LOOSE TUBES ~ DANCING ON FRITH STREET
LOST MARBLE 005 (Barcode: 873371000524) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1990 Released: 2010
This is the 5th album by the British Jazz Big Band / Orchestra Loose TubesFind albums by this artist, a huge ensemble, with twenty-three musicians playing on this album. Although it did not have a leader as such, most of the music was written by keyboardist Django BatesFind albums by this artist and flautist Eddie ParkerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s club in 1990. More material from the same Ronnie Scott’s residence was released on two next albums by the Big Band (“Sad AfrikaFind albums with this title” and “ArrivingFind albums with this title”). Four of the tracks were composed by Bates, one by trumpeter Chris BatchelorFind albums by this artist, another one by Eddie Parker and one was composed by ex-bassist Steve ShellyFind albums by this artist (who does not play on this album).
Loose Tubes were formed in 1983, following a workshop put together by British Jazz composer / educator Graham Collier, where Bates, Batchelor, Parker and others met and decided to work together. In a short time, the Big Band became a sensation and won the title of the most interesting “new thing” on the British Jazz scene, which lasted for the rest of the 1980s. In 1985 they released their eponymous debut album. The ensemble disbanded in 1990 and reunited briefly for a few concerts in 2014.
The music of Lose Tubes presented an eclectic collection of styles, from vaudeville and early Jazz to Avant-Garde, brilliantly arranged and performed by these (then) young musicians. They ignored stylistic limitations and any kind of accepted norms, slaughtering holy cows by the herd. Hearing them live, which I had a great pleasure to experience several times, was an unforgettable orgy of great music and fun combined.
Overall, this is wonderful piece of British Jazz history, documenting a unique and spectacular ensemble, which Loose Tubes certainly were. They were always best live, as this album proves beyond any doubt, and although tough to find these days, all of their albums are worth their weight in gold!
| | Updated: 16/03/2025Posted: 16/03/2025 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | LOOSE TUBES ~ SAD AFRIKA
LOST MARBLE 006 (Barcode: 873371000623) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1990 Released: 2012
This is the sixth album by the British Jazz Big Band / Orchestra Loose TubesFind albums by this artist, a huge ensemble, with twenty-three musicians playing on this album. Although it did not have a leader as such, most of the music was written by keyboardist Django BatesFind albums by this artist and flautist Eddie ParkerFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven tracks, recorded live at the Ronnie Scott’s club in 1990. Three of the tracks were composed by Bates, one by trumpeter Chris BatchelorFind albums by this artist, two by Eddie Parker and one is co-written by other members of the band.
Loose Tubes were formed in 1983, following a workshop put together by British Jazz composer / educator Graham CollierFind albums by this artist, where Bates, Batchelor, Parker and others met and decided to work together. In a short time, the Big Band became a sensation and won the title of the most interesting “new thing” on the British Jazz scene, which lasted for the rest of the 1980s. In 1985 they released their eponymous debut album. The ensemble disbanded in 1990 and reunited briefly for a few concerts in 2014.
The music of Lose Tubes presented an eclectic collection of styles, from vaudeville and early Jazz to Avant-Garde, brilliantly arranged and performed by these (then) young musicians. They ignored stylistic limitations and any kind of accepted norms, slaughtering holy cows by the herd. Hearing them live, which I had a great pleasure to experience several times, was an unforgettable orgy of great music and fun combined.
Overall, this is wonderful piece of British Jazz history, documenting a unique and spectacular ensemble, which Loose Tubes certainly were. They were always best live, as this album proves beyond any doubt, and although tough to find these days, all of their albums are worth their weight in gold!
| | Updated: 16/03/2025Posted: 13/09/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | NICK PURNELL ~ ONETWOTHREE
AH UM 006 ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz
Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991
This is the only album by British Jazz composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, recorded with a dreamy large Orchestra, which included such luminaries as trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist, trombonist Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Django BatesFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist and American drummer Peter ErskineFind albums by this artist among others. The album presents ten tracks, all original compositions by Purnell and arranged by him.
The music is absolutely dreamy large ensemble Jazz, based on superbly composed themes and perfectly arranged to utilize the superb lineup, that performs the music. Wheler, Taylor and Arguelles performs dazzling soli through the whole album, and many other musicians also get an opportunity to show their chops.
Although there are many musicians taking part in this recording, the music is rather subtle and delicate, which is rather typical of the British Jazz approach to orchestral music, which emphasizes the ensemble spirit and strong harmony, without utilizing the full power and might available, in favor of style and elegance, somewhat similar to the orchestral work by Michael Gibbs and his ensembles.
Overall, this is a lovely piece of orchestral British Jazz, sadly completely forgotten but absolutely worthy of being remembered. The album is probably not that easy to find, but if it crosses your field of vision, do not hesitate for even one moment, before you grab it!
Side Note
British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.
| | Updated: 11/02/2025Posted: 11/02/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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