Record Reviews

SHAKE KEANE ~ DIG IT! / WITH THE KEATING SOUND VOCALION 4281 (Barcode: 765387428129) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 - 1968 Released: 2005 In parallel to his immensely important contributions in the Jazz field, British trumpeter Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist also recorded three crossover Jazz / Pop albums for the DeccaFind albums on this label label in the 1960s, which although being on the "lighter" side of things are still prime examples of his amazing tone and virtuosity. The remastered edition of the 1967 album "That`s The NoiseFind albums with this title" (the second of the three) was released on a separate album on the Vocalion label, and here are the other two. "With The Keating SoundFind albums with this title" form 1965 features Keane performing a great selection of Jazz standards, arranged and orchestrated by Johnny KeatingFind albums by this artist and accompanied by the gorgeous orchestra led by him. Keating´s orchestra, as many similar British orchestras at the time, included the best studio musicians, many of which were also active on the Jazz scene. "Dig It!Find albums with this title", from 1968, features Keane performing contemporary Pop material, again arranged and orchestrated for an orchestra, this time by Ivor RaymondeFind albums by this artist, and feature quite unusual approach to Pop material. Both albums are a great document of the great trumpeter´s genius, and of course include music, which stands the test of time quite well. Recommended for listeners who prefer the more melodic side of Jazz.

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

CLEO LAINE ~ CLASSIC ALBUMS, 4 EPS & BONUS TRACKS REAL GONE JAZZ 421 (Barcode: 5036408154422) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1962 Released: 2013 This is a reissue of four early albums by the British vocalist Cleo LaineFind albums by this artist, one of the most glamorous and widely known representatives of the British Jazz worldwide. She and her husband saxophonist / composers John DankworthFind albums by this artist were for many years the "Royal" couple of the British Jazz and they were eventually knighted (receiving the DBE and CBE respectively). Laine, a truly remarkable singer, is perhaps the last great British representative of the "classic" vocal Jazz school, created and developed by the great American female singers like Billie HolidayFind albums by this artist, Sarah VaughanFind albums by this artist, Ella FitzgeraldFind albums by this artist and so many others. Her great affinity towards the Blues and her wonderful feeling of the Swing made her a true star. She did not, however, cross over to the modern vocal Jazz approach, which developed in Britain (and the rest of Europe), which reinvented the role of the human voice and opened new possibilities. Laine stayed faithful to the "classic" approach, and represented it stunningly. On the recordings included in this set Laine is accompanied by the best British Jazz musicians active at the time and the time span (1955 to 1962) shows her rapid development from an unknown imitator to a full fledged luminary. The first album "She`s The Tops!Find albums with this title" presents Laine more as a Blues singer and shows her developing her chops and vocal abilities. The second album "ValmouthFind albums with this title" is the original cast recording of a West End musical theatre performance featuring Laine, showing her remarkable talent as an actress in addition to her singing career. The third album "Live DateFind albums with this title" is a live recording presenting Laine singing six songs with the Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist Orchestra and than Hayes playing three spectacular pieces with his quartet. The fourth album "All About MeFind albums with this title" is a wonderful vocal Jazz album recorded with the Johnny KeatingFind albums by this artist Orchestra and featuring his incredible arrangements, showing Laine as a fully developed Jazz Diva. In addition this set includes also four EPs (each with four songs) recorded with various British groups supporting her. The "bonus tracks" are in fact another full album, which presents her singing with the trombonist Keith ChristieFind albums by this artist and his quintet (not quartet as the packaging tells us), which includes John Dankworth on clarinet and alto saxophone, pianist / vibraphonist Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist, bassist Bill SutcliffeFind albums by this artist and drummer Allan GanleyFind albums by this artist. This is the earliest recording included in this set. Overall British Jazz lovers and vocal Jazz connoisseurs should find this set irresistible, enjoying the newly available music, which has mostly disappeared into the abyss for way to long. Side Note The Real Gone JazzFind albums on this label label releases hundreds of album collections, which include usually between three to eight original albums in a two to four CDs sets. Most of these albums were recorded and released in the 1950s and early 1960s. These collections provide the track lists and lineups of the original albums, but no recording information, liner notes and any background information whatsoever. The label takes advantage of the copyright law in UK, which limited the length of the copyright protection of recorded works to 50 years, after which recorded works become public domain. In 2013 UK implemented a correction of the copyright law extending the protection of recorded works to 70 years (like the rest of Europe), but the correction does not apply retroactively, which means that recordings which entered the 50 years rule prior to January 1, 2013 (i.e. recorded before January 1, 1963) remain public domain. There are two great advantages to these releases: they are really inexpensive and they bring back to life many albums not reissued previously on CD, which means it would cost a collector an arm and a leg to get a copy of them. Many of these albums are absolute gems and essential pieces of Jazz history. The disadvantages are: the lack of proper information, original cover art, combining tracks of several original albums on one CD and the sound quality, which depends on where the label gets the source material. From my experience most of the releases have quite excellent sound quality but I have not listened to all of them and some people have complained about it.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 20/05/2016

CD 4 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DON RENDELL ~ SIX CLASSIC ALBUMS PLUS BONUS TRACKS REAL GONE JAZZ 496 (Barcode: 5036408174123) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1955 - 1961 Released: 2015 This is a reissue of early recordings by the legendary British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Don RendellFind albums by this artist, one of the greatest pioneers of modern British Jazz. Rendell, born 1926, was one of the relatively few British Jazz musicians, who thrived during the Swing and Bebop eras, but who embraced modern Jazz by the mid-1960s and became one of the pillars of the transformation the British Jazz went through during that period, creating a new Jazz idiom by breaking the ties with the American Jazz tradition. Although Rendell made his first recording already in 1949, this set collects recordings made between 1955 and 1961, which present Rendell making a shift from Swing via Bebop and into early modern Jazz, a fascinating journey by any standard. These recordings include albums and an EP he recorded as a leader as well as recordings by other leaders he took part in, and tracks from a two Various Artists collections, which included his contributions. The four albums Rendell recorded as a leader are: "Meet Don RendellFind albums with this title" from 1955, "Don Rendell Presents The Jazz SixFind albums with this title" (featuring Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist) from 1957, "PlaytimeFind albums with this title" from 1958 and finally "Roarin`Find albums with this title" (featuring Graham BondFind albums by this artist) from 1961. The two albums on which Rendell appears as a sideman are: Johnny KeatingFind albums by this artist All Stars ("British JazzFind albums with this title") from 1956 and pianist´s Ken MouleFind albums by this artist septet ("Ken Moule Arranges ForFind albums with this title") from 1956. Overall this is a fascinating collection of great Jazz music played by the best British musicians at the time, and which has additionally also an enormous historical value. I can’t imagine any true British Jazz fan missing this set! Side Note The Real Gone JazzFind albums on this label label releases hundreds of album collections, which include usually between three to eight original albums in a two to four CDs sets. Most of these albums were recorded and released in the 1950s and early 1960s. These collections provide the track lists and lineups of the original albums, but no recording information, liner notes and any background information whatsoever. The label takes advantage of the copyright law in UK, which limited the length of the copyright protection of recorded works to 50 years, after which recorded works become public domain. In 2013 UK implemented a correction of the copyright law extending the protection of recorded works to 70 years (like the rest of Europe), but the correction does not apply retroactively, which means that recordings which entered the 50 years rule prior to January 1, 2013 (i.e. recorded before January 1, 1963) remain public domain. There are two great advantages to these releases: they are really inexpensive and they bring back to life many albums not reissued previously on CD, which means it would cost a collector an arm and a leg to get a copy of them. Many of these albums are absolute gems and essential pieces of Jazz history. The disadvantages are: the lack of proper information, original cover art, combining tracks of several original albums on one CD and the sound quality, which depends on where the label gets the source material. From my experience most of the releases have quite excellent sound quality but I have not listened to all of them and some people have complained about it.

Updated: 27/05/2018Posted: 30/05/2016

CD 4 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend