Record Reviews

KENNY WHEELER LEGACY ~ SOME DAYS ARE BETTER: THE LOST SCORES GREENLEAF ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2024 Released: 2025 This is a wonderful tribute album to the British trumpeter / composer Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, which documents an early period of his career, presenting music he composed in the early 1970s, which was broadcasted by the BBC, and remained forgotten until re-discovered by Nick SmartFind albums by this artist, as part of his research for his Kenny Wheeler biography entitled “Song For Someone: The Musical Life Of Kenny Wheeler” published by Equinox. The historical background and details about the music are described in the extensive liner notes / booklet, written by Smart, which accompanies this album. The Kenny Wheeler LegacyFind albums by this artist is a large group of musicians, which includes the Royal Academy Of Music Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, directed by Smart, and the Frost Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist from Miami, directed by John DaversaFind albums by this artist, as well as several featured musicians, including vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Evan ParkerFind albums by this artist and Chris PotterFind albums by this artist and others. The music is of course absolutely divine, beautifully melodic and intricately scored, superbly recorded at the iconic Abbey Road studios and offering a sublime sound quality. Although the music was composed fifty years ago, it sounds completely contemporary and is of course timeless. The rich Big Band sound and excellent soloing by the featured musicians are simply the best possible tools to bring the lost / forgotten music back to life in its full splendor. Overall, this is a perfect embodiment of Wheeler’s musical spirit, which in the early 1970s was dedicated mainly to large Jazz ensembles. His compositions sound as fresh and sparkling as they were at the time when they were composed and first performed. All the people involved in the production of this album deserve a deep gratitude from all lovers of Wheeler’s music and I can’t imagine a more fitting tribute to his Genius, in addition of course, to making this music available again. This is beyond essential!

Updated: 24/12/2025Posted: 24/12/2025

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend