Record Reviews
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  | NEIL ARDLEY ~ MIKE TAYLOR REMEMBERED
DUSK FIRE 103 (Barcode: 5065001032011) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2007
The short and tragic life of pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist, an eccentric genius fallen victim to mental illness / drug abuse, which proved self-destructive and led to his death at the age of 29, is surely worthy a script adaptation for a Martin ScorseseFind albums by this artist movie. Sometimes referred to as “the Syd BarrettFind albums by this artist of British Jazz”, Taylor had close ties with a relatively small group of musicians, like Graham BondFind albums by this artist and the members of his Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, which included Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist – soon to be founders of CreamFind albums by this artist. Many people will be surprised to learn that three songs co-written by Ginger and Mike appear on Cream’s Wheels Of FireFind albums with this title album (“Pressed Rat And Warthog”, “Those Were The Days” and “Passing The Time”). Another one of his superb songs – “Jumping Off The Sun” – was recorded by ColosseumFind albums by this artist and appears on several of their albums.
Although known intimately by very few people at the time, the legend lives on and periodically the flame of interest is rekindled among the modern British Jazz fans, like in the case of reissue of his only two existing recordings: PendulumFind albums with this title and TrioFind albums with this title. Even fewer people are aware of the spectacular tribute album recorded by Taylor’s musician friends three years after his death. Recorded under the musical direction of another British Jazz legendary figure, composer / arranger / bandleader Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist, who discovered Taylor’s genius immediately and scored some of his compositions for the New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist when Taylor was still alive. Unfortunately the concert, which was to feature NJO and Mike’s trio never materialized, since Taylor (already very ill at the time) simply missed the gig. Nevertheless Ardley continued to use Taylor’s music as part of the regular NJO repertoire and suggested to Denis PrestonFind albums by this artist, owner of the legendary Lansdowne Studios in London, where most of the pivotal modern British Jazz was recorded, to produce a tribute album to Mike Taylor’s musical genius. Preston, who recorded the two Taylor albums, needed no persuasion and funded the complex and costly project with no hesitation, considering it a most appropriate gesture.
Ardley assembled a group of 20 musicians to record this project, sharing the scoring of the music for a large ensemble with others, who were close to Taylor and new him well, like Howard RileyFind albums by this artist, Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist and Dave GellyFind albums by this artist. One of the tracks is based on a previously unreleased Taylor quartet recording, with the ensemble overdubbed on top of the original recording, which makes Taylor’s participation in this project almost “in person” as well as “in spirit”. The list of the participating musicians reads like the who’s who of modern British Jazz and includes among others: Ian CarrFind albums by this artist and Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist on trumpet, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and David HorlerFind albums by this artist on trombone, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist on saxophone, Peter LemerFind albums by this artist and Alan BranscombeFind albums by this artist on piano, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist on bass, Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist on drums and of course the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist on vocals. I can’t think of a more appropriate tribute than this one, full of love, dedication and music genius by all the people involved.
Considering the fact that this album combines the genius of Taylor’s Jazz composition with the genius of Ardley’s Jazz scoring / arranging, we get (in mathematical terms) a genius squared result – a rare event indeed. Recommending this album would be somewhat similar to recommending someone to read some Joyce or see a van Gogh – completely superfluous. I’m sure you get the drift by now!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GINGER BAKER ~ FALLING OFF THE ROOF
WOUNDED BIRD 2900 (Barcode: 664140290020) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1996 Released: 2006
2nd album by the Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist trio, which includes two jazz giants: Bill FrisellFind albums by this artist on guitar and Charlie HadenFind albums by this artist on bass. Baker is of course mostly known as a rock superstar for his role in the legendary CreamFind albums by this artist (also a drums / bass / guitar trio), but since the 1990s he returned to active duty as a jazz drummer, with a variety of projects in the jazz realm, this trio being one of them. Of course Baker always was a jazz drummer, long before he played for rock audiences. His work with the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist in the early / mid 1960s is just one of the manifestations of his jazz background, but it even goes far back to the 1950s UK trad bands. Baker was always one of the most original drummers and generations of drummers studied his every beat. He is heavily influenced by African rhythms and he played and studied African percussion for many years. All this adds up to make him a most atypical jazz drummer, immediately distinguishable from any of his peers. The sound and the music are quite different from most guitar trios, to some extent due to Baker’s unusual approach to drums, but also due to the choice of the material. Only two standards (by Thelonious MonkFind albums by this artist and Charlie ParkerFind albums by this artist) are present, all the rest of the music was penned by the trio members. The level is of course none less than exceptional, only to be expected from such distinguished players. This is a very interesting and different jazz album, worthy of investigation.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GINGER BAKER ~ WHY?
MOTEMA 148 (Barcode: 181212001488) ~ UK ~ Jazz-World Fusion
Recorded: 2014 Released: 2014
This is the final album by British drummer / composer / bandleader Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, recorded in a quartet format with American saxophonist Pee Wee EllisFind albums by this artist, bassist Alec DankworthFind albums by this artist and Ghanaian percussionist Abass DodooFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight tracks, three of which are Baker’s original compositions, one is by Ellis, two are standards, one is a traditional Nigerian tune and one is a composition by American trumpeter Ron MilesFind albums by this artist, composed especially for Baker.
Following an illustrious career in Rock, Blues-Rock and World-Rock music with Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist and other acts, Baker returned gradually to Jazz, which was his initial playground in the early 1960s, when he played on the London’s Jazz scene and studied drums with the legendary Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist. Since the early 1980s he released a series of Jazz oriented albums, of which this was his last. He died in 2019 following a long period of illness.
The music is soaked in Baker’s deep involvement with African rhythmic traditions, which in fact dominated his entire career and made his to study African music, including a residence in Nigeria in the 1970s. The resulting Jazz-World Fusion is highly spiritual and intimate. The small format makes this album especially interesting, enabling every little nuance of Baker’s incredible drumming technique to be perfectly audible. Dankworth’s contributions herein are also marvelous.
Overall, this is an almost completely overlooked album by one of the greatest British / European drummers of all time, which definitely is worth exploring and deservers a proper place in any serious album collection. Listeners interesting in drums and especially in African drumming, should seek this little gem out.
| | Updated: 05/03/2023Posted: 05/03/2023 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | BLIND FAITH ~ LONDON HYDE PARK 1969
SANCTUARY 0090 (Barcode: 5050749500908) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2005
Captured live in front of 100,000 (or more) people gathered in London’s Hyde Park, here is the world’s first “super group”, Blind FaithFind albums by this artist, playing their debut gig on June 7th, 1969. Surely a momentous occasion and a premiere piece of Rock’s history, this footage is seen here for the first time in its entirety. The group existed for just a very brief period of time and left as its legacy just one eponymous album, but its historical importance stretches way beyond that. Blind Faith was a proof that greatly talented musicians can work together, in spite of their different backgrounds and experiences, creating momentous music. The “super group” phenomenon would become ever so popular in the 1970s, but the pioneering effort that was Blind Faith would forever stay in our collective memory as one of Rock’s giant steps. The collective talents of guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist, vocalist / keyboardist Steve WinwoodFind albums by this artist, bassist Rick GrechFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist represented the formative years and experiences of British Rock in the 1960s. They played in some of the most important bands of the 1960s: Spencer Davis GroupFind albums by this artist, Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, CreamFind albums by this artist, TrafficFind albums by this artist and FamilyFind albums by this artist – all icons and remarkable Rock achievers. The music they created together in Blind Faith is (especially in retrospect) quite surprising and different that anything done before. Anticlimactic and relaxed, it allowed them to take a much-deserved break from the emotional (and physical) extremities they all experienced with their former groups. The change is most evident and personalized by Clapton, who left behind the high-volume, heavy, fuzz saturated guitar style he used with Cream and dramatically changed it into a subdued, relaxed and laid-back guitar playing, which was to be his new “thing”, as evident on his recordings from that moment on. He was still one of the best players around, but simply not trying to prove it any more. Winwood’s vocals, dramatic and soulful as always, were of course the group’s trademark and here he reached maturity (in spite of his young age) for the first time. Baker’s drumming is inventive, as always, but again the relaxed atmosphere allows for his incredibly melodic playing to he really heard. Grech is solid and supportive all the way, with his elegance and sensibility at their best. But of course not everything is perfect here – the gig was played in the midst of the recordings for the album and the material is obviously still being in the “working” phase, with charming imperfection and numerous glitches. Nevertheless it does work charmingly and listening to this stuff almost 40 years later still gives me the shivers. What a teat! Dolby Digital Stereo Sound, 73 minutes.
| | | DVD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM BOND ~ LIVE AT THE BBC AND OTHER STORIES
REPERTOIRE 1279 (Barcode: 4009910127926) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1962 - 1972 Released: 2015
This is a Box Set of archival material by British saxophonist / organist / composer / bandleader Graham BondFind albums by this artist, one of the most idiosyncratic and pioneering figures of the British Jazz, Jazz-Rock and Prog scenes. The material collected here consists mostly of recordings made by the BBC, but includes also some ultra-rare home recordings, demos and other ditties, covering the period between 1962 and 1972, which more or less presents Bond´s entire career before his tragic death in 1974, aged just 36 at the time.
Regardless of what various music history sources have to say, Bond is singlehandedly responsible for the creation of the Jazz-Rock idiom around 1963, when he formed the Graham Bond QuartetFind albums by this artist, which featured guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist (which were all destined to become superstars in the years to follow). The quartet amalgamated Bond´s experience with the Jazz world, gained while he was a member of the Don RendellFind albums by this artist Quintet, with the exploding Rhythm And Blues phenomenon, creating the earliest manifestation of Jazz-Rock known to man. One session of the Don Rendell Quintet with Bond as its member is included here and it also features as a guest musician saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, who would become another of Bond´s close associates when he formed the seminal Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist in 1965, which was later joined by the celebrated drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. Following the Organization´s breakup Bond formed the Graham Bond InitiationFind albums by this artist and later on collaborated with the poet / lyricist Pete BrownFind albums by this artist, who wrote also the booklet that accompanies this Box Set. Their recordings together are the last (chronologically) tracks in this collection.
The music included in this collection is of varied quality and sometimes of pretty Lo-Fi sound quality, even after it was carefully restored and remastered, but it is of enormous historic importance, as it documents not only Bond´s career but in fact the entire British Jazz scene, which was experiencing at that time a tremendous upheaval and explosion of new talents and ideological modifications of the very fabric of Jazz, which was parting from the American dominance and creating a new variety of the idiom, which would crystallize as European Jazz, spawning Jazz-Rock in the process.
Bond´s performances on the Hammond Organ are all superbly executed and it makes perfect sense that they influenced an entire generation of British musicians, who invented Progressive Rock next, such a Jon LordFind albums by this artist of Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist of ColosseumFind albums by this artist, Brian AugerFind albums by this artist and of course many others. In general the music portrays the atmosphere of the British scene at the time, where genres and classifications were pretty arbitrary and where the Jazz / Rock / Prog idioms were influencing and embracing each other with ease and natural affinity.
Kudos to the German RepertoireFind albums on this label label, which is one of the most important sources of reissues, for the meticulous work done on this set and for bringing this material back to life. This set continues the work done by Repertoire on the previous Graham Bond Box Set called "Wade In The Water – Classics, Origins and OdditiesFind albums with this title", which covers the recordings by Graham Bond Organization. Together these two Box Sets pay tribute to one of the greatest heroes of the British Jazz / Jazz-Rock pioneering figures, who is sadly often forgotten and is rarely given the credit he deserves for his revolutionary creativity.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 01/04/2016 | CD 4 Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM BOND ~ LOVE IS THE LAW
ESOTERIC 2239 (Barcode: 5013929733923) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2011
Following the demise of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist / keyboardist / vocalist / composer Graham BondFind albums by this artist left the UK for a brief residency in US, where he recorded two little known solo albums, of which this was the first. Bond was probably the most influential figure on the British music scene in the mid-1960s, when he led a group consisting of the finest musicians in the land, which practically invented Jazz-Rock Fusion. Sadly his troubled personal life, which included mental instability and heavy drug abuse, prevented him from achieving the success he so richly deserved and eventually led to his tragic death. But his recorded legacy is with us forever and everything he recorded is worthy of attention. Bond played all the instruments on this album, except for the drums which were played by Hal BlaineFind albums by this artist, and composed all the music / wrote all the lyrics. The material is amazing, as always, with heavy Jazz influence, but also Rhythm And Blues and Soul references. Bond plays some extraordinary organ parts and his vocals are also excellent, probably the best vocal parts he ever recorded. Considering the fact that this material was not available on the market for over 40 years makes this reissue a momentous occasion. A must to the numerous Bond fans, wherever they might be.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM BOND ~ MIGHTY GRAHAME BOND
ESOTERIC 2240 (Barcode: 5013929734029) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1969 Released: 2011
Following the demise of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, British saxophonist / keyboardist / vocalist / composer Graham BondFind albums by this artist left the UK for a brief residency in US, where he recorded two little known solo albums, of which this was the second. Bond was probably the most influential figure on the British music scene in the mid-1960s, when he led a group consisting of the finest musicians in the land, which practically invented Jazz-Rock Fusion. Sadly his troubled personal life, which included mental instability and heavy drug abuse, prevented him from achieving the success he so richly deserved and eventually led to his tragic death. But his recorded legacy is with us forever and everything he recorded is worthy of attention. Bond is joined by a great set of musicians on this album: guitarist Harvey MandelFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Frank MayesFind albums by this artist, bassist Harvey BrooksFind albums by this artist and drummers Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist (another British hero resident in US at the time) and Eddie HohFind albums by this artist. He composed all the music / wrote all the lyrics. The material is amazing, as always, with heavy Jazz influence, but also Rhythm And Blues and Soul references. Bond plays some extraordinary organ parts and his vocals are also excellent, probably the best vocal parts he ever recorded. Considering the fact that this material was not available on the market for over 40 years makes this reissue a momentous occasion. A must to the numerous Bond fans, wherever they might be.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM BOND ~ SOLID BOND
COLLECTORS` CHOICE 2000 (Barcode: 617742200027) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1963 - 1966 Released: 2009
If there ever was a quintessential Jazz-Rock album, which practically not only is the first recorded example of the genre, but also defines it unequivocally, this is it! The music herein was initially released as a double LP for the first time in 1970, but it consists of two sessions recorded earlier by the legendary British saxophonist / organist / vocalist Graham BondFind albums by this artist, the earlier one in 1963 and the later in 1966. These two sessions, diametrically different and yet completely unified in spirit, present a miniscule window into the time-space continuum, which enables us to take a peek at the most feverish period in British music, where invention and pioneering breakthrough were happening on a daily basis. The first of these two sessions is not only the first recording of the emerging Jazz-Rock genre but also the recording debut of one of its future heroes, guitarist John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist. The Graham Bond Quartet, captured live in London´s legendary Klooks Kleek club consisted of Bond (on sax), McLaughlin, Jack BruceFind albums by this artist on acoustic bass and Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist on drums. They played a unique brand of modern jazz, which combined the elements of Free Jazz, Swing and Rock (or Rhythm And Blues), basically inventing the Jazz-Rock Fusion on the fly. Although the music is predominantly Jazzy, Baker´s rhythmic approach, Bond´s phrasing and McLaughlin´s scales all included clear Rock innuendos. During the period separating the first session and the second one, Bond formed the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, which recorded a couple of LPs in 1965 ("The Sound Of 65Find albums with this title" and "There`s A Bond Between UsFind albums with this title") and practically fell apart after Bruce and Baker left to form CreamFind albums by this artist. The second recording features another interim quartet with Bond (this time on organ), saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, Bruce (who double-gigged between Cream and some Jazz activities) and the young and upcoming drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist. The music recorded during this session is already full-fledged Fusion, with Jazz being tightly incorporated with Blues, Rhythm And Blues and Rock, similar to the patterns perfected during the Organization days. Some of the material appears on the Organization recordings, other was new, but the overall quality is of course everlasting. Shortly after this recording Heckstall-Smith and Hiseman left Bond to join John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and later formed the mighty ColosseumFind albums by this artist. In retrospect this album, although relatively little known by Jazz-Rock enthusiasts, is a holy grail of the genre and an essential piece of any serious music collection. Unavailable for years, the CD recent reissue is a major contribution to preservation of this superb musical achievement. Essential stuff!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | GRAHAM BOND / PETE BROWN ~ TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
ESOTERIC 2042 (Barcode: 5013929714229) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1972 Released: 2009
It was inevitable that the two British icons saxophonist / keyboardist / composer Graham BondFind albums by this artist and vocalist / trumpeter / lyricist Pete BrownFind albums by this artist would eventually find themselves in one band. After all they rubbed shoulders for over a decade before this album was recorded, both being members of a circle of musicians with many mutual friends like bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist (who co-wrote most of the CreamFind albums by this artist material with Brown, as well as all the material on his early solo albums and who was a member of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist (also members of the Organization) and several others. When they both found themselves out of job, getting together was the natural solution. The only album this band recorded is one of the wackiest – mind you in a most wonderful way – albums created at the time. Completely beyond any stylistic limitations Bond and Brown just seem to have a great time, playing and singing together accompanied by some superb instrumentalists. Expect the unexpected here, with Brown´s witty lyrics and Bond´s excellent keyboards work both on organ and acoustic piano. Sadly this album turned out to be Bond´s last studio recording before he perished in a terrible accident / alleged suicide two years later. With his death the British Jazz-Rock scene lost its original forefather. Definitely worth checking out and a must to all Bond and Brown fans.
| | | CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM ~ LIVE (2CD EXPANDED EDITION)
ESOTERIC 2545 ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1971 Released: 2016
This is a reissue of the seminal live album by the legendary British Jazz-Rock Fusion / Blues-Rock Fusion group ColosseumFind albums by this artist, founded in 1968 by drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, who shared earlier common ground as members of John MayallFind albums by this artist´s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist. The final incarnation of the band´s first era, of which this was the last recording, included also vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, guitarist Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist and bassist Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist. The original release of this album was a 2LP set and this 2CD edition more than doubles the original album´s playing time, including additional material that was recorded at the same concerts from which the original album was put together.
This reissue is the answer to the question: "How do you take the best possible album and make it better?" The new remaster and the additional material simply turn this iconic album into what is probably the most important recording made at the historic crossroads that produced, after a period of about half a decade of crystallization and construction, two of the tremendous British contributions to music in the 1960s: Blues-Rock Fusion and Jazz-Rock Fusion (the other being Progressive Rock, which also has a few moments on this album).
The complexity and the ingenuity of the music on this album are mind-bugling and in fact it was never matched by any other album of that period. The musicians struggled with the difficulties of playing this music live and compensated for any technical imperfections by the fire and enthusiasm of the performance. In fact the group´s reunion after twenty three years produced other live versions of the same material ("Live Cologne 1994Find albums with this title"), which are technically more perfect than the recordings herein, a fact that can be easily explained by the musical experience acquired during that period of time.
In retrospect this album simply refuses to fade away and still shines like a beacon of musical vitality, sophistication and stylistic crosspollination, which puts most of contemporary music in a miserable and pitiable light. Brainwashed and undereducated listeners of today can´t tell great music from organic waste…
I wonder if we can expect a future 4CD version of this album? After all this has already been reissued three times, so why not again? Still absolutely essential, perhaps even more so than before!
| | Updated: 17/01/2017Posted: 17/01/2017 | CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM ~ LIVE IN GERMANY
REPERTOIRE 1404 (Barcode: 4009910140321) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2021
This is an archival album, which collects live recordings by the seminal British Jazz-Rock Fusion / Progressive Rock group ColosseumFind albums by this artist. The 2CD / DVD album covers recordings of live concerts in Germany and Austria, captured between 1969 and 1971. Colosseum was formed in 1968 from the ashes of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist by drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist (both members of GBO). The first lineup included also keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist James LitherlandFind albums by this artist and bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist. Litherland was replaced by Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist and Reeves was replaced briefly by Louis CennamoFind albums by this artist and later by Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist was added as lead vocalist, turning Colosseum into a sextet. Hiseman’s wife, saxophonist / flautist Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist guests on one track. The sound quality is fabulous, and the remastering, packaging and enclosed highly informative booklet are top notch.
Colosseum were one of the most imaginative and intelligent early Fusion / Prog bands ever and managed to create a highly unique sound and musical aesthetics. A perfectly balanced amalgam of Jazz, Rock and Blues, which they created, remains largely unmatched to this very day. Their success can be mostly credited to the perfect blend of their musical personalities and immense collection of diverse talents, as well as the leadership of Hiseman, who was one of the most important British musicians of his generation. I was lucky to know Jon and watching him and the band perform was always a revelation.
CD1 of the album covers the material recorded in 1969 and 1970 by the German TV show “Beat-Club” (the first four tracks) and the 1969 concert in Vienna (the next four tracks). CD2 covers the 1971 concert in Frankfurt (four long tracks). The “Beat Club” material is also included in video version on the enclosed DVD.
This album offers an incredible wealth of music, hair-raising instrumental performances and a sublime glimpse at the period when music was at its absolute creative peak. There are but a few groups that managed to achieve the same level of intensity and inventiveness ever since.
For Colosseum fans this album is absolutely essential of course, but the interest goes way beyond just that. British Jazz and Fusion enthusiasts will be also thrilled; as should any music loving person on this planet be as well. This music is beyond recommendation, a true Holy Grail!
| | Updated: 25/11/2021Posted: 25/11/2021 | 2CD+DVD 3 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | COLOSSEUM ~ TRANSMISSIONS: LIVE AT THE BBC
REPERTOIRE 1346 (Barcode: 4009910134627) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2020
This is a sensational archival Box Set, which collects the BBC recordings by the first incarnation of the seminal British Jazz-Rock Fusion / Progressive Rock group ColosseumFind albums by this artist. The 6CD Box Set covers the BBC recordings captured between 1969 and 1971. Colosseum was formed in 1968 from the ashes of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist by drummer Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and saxophonist Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist (both members of GBO). The first lineup included also keyboardist Dave GreensladeFind albums by this artist, guitarist / vocalist James LitherlandFind albums by this artist and bassist Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist. Litherland was replaced by Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist and Reeves was replaced briefly by Louis CennamoFind albums by this artist and later by Mark ClarkeFind albums by this artist and Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist was added as lead vocalist, turning Colosseum into a sextet. Hiseman’s wife, saxophonist / flautist Barbara ThompsonFind albums by this artist and the entire New Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (NJOFind albums by this artist) guest on selected tracks. The sound quality is fabulous, as usual with BBC recordings, and the remastering, packaging and enclosed highly informative booklet are top notch
Colosseum were one of the most imaginative and intelligent early Fusion / Prog bands ever and managed to create a highly unique sound and musical aesthetics. A perfectly balanced amalgam of Jazz, Rock and Blues, which they created, remains largely unmatched to this very day. Their success can be mostly credited to the perfect blend of their musical personalities and immense collection of diverse talents, as well as the leadership of Hiseman, who was one of the most important British musicians of his generation. I was lucky to know Jon and watching him and the band perform was always a revelation.
This Box Set covers the material included on the band’s first three (or four, depending on how detailed one wants to dig) studio albums and complements perfectly their only live album, which is undoubtedly one of the best live albums ever recorded. In many respects the music included here shows more of the Jazzy aspects of Colosseum than the live album, which is more Blues-Rock oriented. These versions of the tunes are often dramatically different from the versions appearing on the studio album and feature extensive soloing and improvisations.
These six CDs offer an incredible wealth of music, hair-raising instrumental performances and a sublime glimpse at the period when music was at its absolute creative peak. There are but a few groups that managed to achieve the same level of intensity and inventiveness ever since.
For Colosseum fans this Box Set is absolutely essential of course, but the interest goes way beyond just that. British Jazz and Fusion enthusiasts will be also thrilled; as should any music loving person on this planet be as well. This music is beyond recommendation, a true Holy Grail!
| | Updated: 27/05/2021Posted: 26/05/2021 | CD 6 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | CREAM ~ FRESH CREAM (SUPER DELUXE EDITION)
POLYDOR 602557185515 (Barcode: 602557185515) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 1966 Released: 2017
This is a reissue / archival Box Set presenting the music recorded by the iconic British Rock / Blues-Rock band CreamFind albums by this artist and released on their debut album “Fresh CreamFind albums with this title”. The Box Set includes three CDs and one Blue-ray and is lavishly packaged with a hardcover book with an essay, song lyrics and many photographs.
CD1 presents mono mixes, which include the album (ten tracks), one outtake, three singles and two EPs with alternate mixes and alternate masters. CD2 presents stereo mixes, which include the album, three session recordings and seven previously unreleased alternate mixes. CD3 presents eleven outtakes, early versions and alternate mixes, all bar one previously unreleased and sixteen BBC recordings (only two previously unreleased), captured at four different sessions. The Blue-ray Disk presents the US mono and stereo versions of the album and the three additional tracks, all in 24/96 High Resolution audio.
Cream, the first supergroup, were obviously a groundbreaking musical step, which combined the Manfred MannFind albums by this artist bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist guitarist Eric ClaptonFind albums by this artist and Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist drummer Ginger BakerFind albums by this artist, creating a true one of a kind monster, which was about to change Blues-Rock and Rock like no other group ever did before them. In many respects they still reverberate in every Rock album recorded since 1996, when they recorded the music included herein.
All three Cream members were geniuses in they own right of course, but it was Jack Bruce who wrote all the original material on this album together with the poet Pete BrownFind albums by this artist (except one tune by Baker, which was mostly a drum solo), with the rest of the material being traditional Blues pieces. The combination of Blues with Rock riffs and heavy sound was of course the cradle of Blues-Rock as we know it.
Overall, this is one of the most revolutionary Rock albums of all time, which opened completely new opportunities of cross-genre pollination and the opened the Golden Decade of music, during which most of the music worth listening to was created. For Cream fanatics this is of course an essential piece of the puzzle, but most veteran Cream followers already have all the material here in one form or another. Nevertheless, this golden classic deserves to be treated with respect, today perhaps more so than ever.
| | Updated: 29/09/2021Posted: 29/09/2021 | 3CD+BD 4 Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | DICK HECKSTALL-SMITH ~ BLUES AND BEYOND
BLUE STORM 004 (Barcode: 5050232500422) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001
This is the last album by British saxophonist / composer Dick Heckstall-SmithFind albums by this artist, recorded before his passing in 2004. The album, produced by Pete BrownFind albums by this artist, includes an incredible list of British musicians, who played with him during his career: guitarists Clem ClempsonFind albums by this artist, Peter GreenFind albums by this artist and Mick TaylorFind albums by this artist, drummers Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist and Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist and vocalists Rab McCulloughFind albums by this artist, Paul JonesFind albums by this artist, Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist. John MayallFind albums by this artist plays piano and several other musicians also take part in the proceedings. The album presents twelve tracks, most of which are originals by Heckstall-Smith and some are Blues standards.
As the list of names and the album’s title suggest, the album is dedicated to Blues and Blues-Rock material, which of course was always a part of Heckstall-Smith’s background in addition to his Jazz-Rock Fusion, Prog and Jazz activities.
The music is absolutely delightful, as expected, and the guests / friends invited to participate do not disappoint. The album is full of great tunes, brilliant guitar soli and evocative vocals, all within the Blues idiom, spiced with Heckstall-Smith’s idiosyncratic saxophone playing. Of course the album brings fond memories of his activities with Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, John MayallFind albums by this artist’s BluesbreakersFind albums by this artist and ColosseumFind albums by this artist, which were icons of the British scene for many years.
Overall, this is a brilliant and sadly little known album by one of the true heroes of the British Blues, Jazz-Rock Fusion and Jazz scenes. It certainly deserves to be heard and if anybody can find a copy of it, it is wholeheartedly recommended!
| | Updated: 03/02/2022Posted: 03/02/2022 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | NUCLEUS ~ HEMISPHERES
HUX 078 (Barcode: 682970000787) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2006
Led by trumpeter / composer Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, NucleusFind albums by this artist were not only the most important UK Jazz-Rock ensemble but in fact one of world’s pioneers of the genre. Carr created Nucleus to take the next step in his already well-established Jazz career. During the 1960s Carr was a co leader of the Don RendellFind albums by this artist / Ian Carr Quintet, one of the best UK modern Jazz ensembles. However by the end of the 1960s Carr felt a need to change his direction and move into the Rock influenced Jazz-Rock Fusion. Following the steps of US pioneers of the genre like Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist and Charles LloydFind albums by this artist and UK ensembles like the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist, Carr put together a group of the best players on the UK scene to create Nucleus. The band was an instant success and a revelation, soon to be recognized as the leading force of the newborn genre. The first incarnation of the group included (in addition to Ian Carr who played trumpet and flugelhorn) Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist on electric piano and oboe, Brian SmithFind albums by this artist on tenor and soprano saxophones, Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist on guitar, Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist on bass and John MarshallFind albums by this artist on drums. Between 1970 and 1971 this lineup recorded three fabulous albums: Elastic RockFind albums with this title, We`ll Talk About It LaterFind albums with this title and Solar PlexusFind albums with this title, which belong to the absolute classics of the genre. This album includes two live performances of this incarnation of Nucleus, recorded almost a year apart. The sound quality is truly amazing and the performances are stellar. Most of the material is taken from the a.m. three albums, but previously never released tunes are also included, which makes this album even more important. This is a prime example of European Jazz-Rock at its best, alive and kicking. Absolutely essential listening!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | RAY RUSSELL ~ TURN CIRCLE
VOCALION 8436 (Barcode: 765387843625) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1968 Released: 2007
Guitarist / composer Ray RussellFind albums by this artist has been active on the British Jazz and Fusion scene for the last five decades and has always been considered as a first class musician. Most of his recorded output belongs to the Fusion movement and he can be certainly considered as one of the genre’s pioneers. In the early and mid-1960s Russell was a member of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist and Georgie FameFind albums by this artist’s backing band Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist, two outfits that were among the first to combine Rhythm And Blues with Jazz. By the end of the 1960s Russell started to lead his own groups and record with them, although in parallel he participated in numerous recordings in his capacity as a studio musician. He was also a founding member of the excellent Rock WorkshopFind albums by this artist ensemble and later of RMSFind albums by this artist. This album presents Russell’s debut album as a leader and is quite different from most of his recorded output, as it is closer to straightforward Jazz then anything else he recorded. Accompanied by three excellent young musicians: Roy FryFind albums by this artist – piano, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist – bass and Alan RushtonFind albums by this artist – drums, the quartet plays some fabulous music, composed mostly by Russell (two standards are also included). Russell’s guitar tone, completely devoid of any electronic devices so popular at the time, sounds more like classic guitar work by Grant GreenFind albums by this artist or Barney KesselFind albums by this artist, but with a harder edge and more attack. Overall this is a great document of the era and of Russell’s musical legacy, which stands the test of time beautifully. Great fun and recommended listening!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | MIKE TAYLOR ~ PENDULUM
SUNBEAM 5034 (Barcode: 5051125503414) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1965 Released: 2007
Pianist / composer Mike TaylorFind albums by this artist was the most enigmatic figure on the British Jazz scene in the 1960s. His genius was almost completely unknown to most and just a handful of close friends / musicians had the opportunity to work with him and hear his music. His eccentric personality, which bordered on the mentally unstable and his tragic death at a ridiculous young age cut his career short, leaving a legacy of just two albums, of which this is the first.
Anybody listening to this album will surely realize that this is one of the most daring and earliest modern British Jazz recordings and it parallels (in time and complexity) to the most advanced Avant Garde Jazz experiments happening across the Atlantic. Taylor’s unprecedented and unconventional approach to music was so ahead of its time that it’s truly mind-boggling.
The quartet playing on this recording includes Taylor on piano, Dave TomlinFind albums by this artist on soprano saxophone, Tony ReevesFind albums by this artist on bass and Jon HisemanFind albums by this artist on drums (the last two were of course to form the band ColosseumFind albums by this artist a few years later). The sound of the quartet is somewhat similar to John ColtraneFind albums by this artist’s legendary quartet, but Taylor plays quite differently than McCoy TynerFind albums by this artist of course. The music includes three Jazz standards (on what used to be Side A) and three original compositions by Taylor (on Side B).
The treatment of the standards is an absolute hair-raising experience, with Taylor de-composing / de-structuring the original harmony and re-assembling the pieces together in a completely new way. His original compositions are awesome as well, exposing a new musical universe. The entire album is a knockout from start to finish and listening to it over 40 years after it was recorded should still produce Goosebumps on every sensitive listener’s skin.
BTW people unaware of Jon Hiseman’s early Jazz days should check out his recording with another great British pianist Howard RileyFind albums by this artist on Howard’s debut album DiscussionsFind albums with this title. Taylor was about to record only one more album, called simply TrioFind albums with this title, with Jon Hiseman and Jack BruceFind albums by this artist on bass (Bruce was very much involved with the British Jazz scene before his adventure with CreamFind albums by this artist – see Jack’s debut album Things We LikeFind albums with this title), who was a friend of Taylor, as were the other members of the Graham Bond OrganizationFind albums by this artist. Also it’s really strange that Taylor’s fate was in many ways similar to that of Bond’s, both ending their lives in a suicide / accident, following a long period of mental instability. This album is a central piece of the puzzle forming the birth of modern British Jazz and no serious follower of that scene can afford not to have this album in his collection. Beyond essential!
| | Updated: 06/06/2021Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
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