Record Reviews

JOHN CAMERON ~ KES (SOUNDTRACK) TRUNK 001 (Barcode: 5060033500026) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2001 Pianist / composer John CameronFind albums by this artist was active on the British Jazz scene in the 1960s, before moving on to become one of the country’s foremost composers of film scores. The music composed for the classic British film KesFind albums with this title, directed by Ken LoachFind albums by this artist, was Cameron’s first film score. The brilliant film, considered as one of the top 10 films ever made in Britain, was a culmination of the 1960s “new wave” cinematography movement, which produced a long list of superb films (mostly black and white) reflecting the life in post WW2 Britain. Cameron produced superb music for the film, a true masterpiece, which is completely viable on its own as well as being perfect for the film. Performed by a group of mostly Jazz musicians, some of which played with Cameron on his brilliant Off CentreFind albums with this title album: Harold McNairFind albums by this artist – flute, Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist – bass clarinet, Danny MossFind albums by this artist – clarinet, Tony CarrFind albums by this artist – drums and David SnellFind albums by this artist – harp. Cameron also arranged the orchestral background for some of the pieces, performed by a string section. It is completely unbelievable that this music remained unreleased in any form for over 30 years, and it took the initiative of one Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist and his TrunkFind albums on this label Records label to bring it back to the surface. Kudos to Mr. Trunk and a big thank you for this wonderful gift of music. Brilliant stuff!

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MICHAEL GARRICK ~ MOONSCAPE TRUNK 022 (Barcode: 666017162621) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 Released: 2007 Pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist has been one of the great pioneers of modern British Jazz and his 1960s / 1970s recordings on the ArgoFind albums on this label label (now reissued on VocalionFind albums on this label) constitute some of the best examples of the wonderful period, when Jazz was at its absolute creative peak. Garrick did made an early recording in 1964 with his trio (Garrick – piano, Dave GreenFind albums by this artist – bass and Colin BarnesFind albums by this artist – drums), which was privately issued with 99 copies pressed. Over the years this 10-inch LP became not only legendary but also one of the most expensive Jazz collector’s items reaching astronomical prices on the market with only a few originals surviving the tides of time. Therefore having this album available again on CD is a marvel, thanks to Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist and his very special TrunkFind albums on this label Records label. As the original tapes were of course lost in time, the CD was mastered from a pristine copy of the LP with spectacular results - the sound is just beautiful. As to the music, well I’m not objective being Garrick’s fan for many years, but this is a monumental piece of music – one of the earliest examples of modern European Jazz, which steps way beyond anything in existence at the time. The compositions (all by Garrick) were inspired by poetry, as Garrick was at the time involved with the Jazz & Poetry movement, and show his incredible talent for melody and the ability to “twist” a tune in a most wonderful fashion. Marvelous stuff! I can’t imagine any Garrick or early modern British Jazz fan not wanting this one.

Updated: 01/01/2016Posted:

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MICHAEL GARRICK / SHAKE KEANE ~ RISING STARS TRUNK 041 (Barcode: 666017241425) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 Released: 2011 The tiny British TrunkFind albums by this artist Records label (owned by Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist) is an endless source of discovery for a serious collector, specializing in unearthing ultra rare (or rarer) recordings and bringing them back to light. For specialist in British Jazz Trunk Records have some incredible offers, like the lost album by pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist, called "MoonscapeFind albums with this title". This album offers another Garrick gem, the impossible to find "A Case Of JazzFind albums with this title" EP, recorded at the same year and performed by the Garrick quartet with trumpeter Shake KeaneFind albums by this artist, bassist Coleridge GoodeFind albums by this artist and drummer Bobby OrrFind albums by this artist, which is a superb example of the early Garrick as well as the early British modern Jazz. In addition, another EP, which was never released commercially, includes four tracks by Keane, two recorded with a choir and two with an Orchestra, both highlighting his incredible tone and feel, unparalleled by any other British player since. Together these eight tracks are a wonderful document of the era and an indispensable part of any serious British Jazz collection!

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KENNY GRAHAM ~ MOONDOG AND SUNCAT SUITES TRUNK 036 (Barcode: 666017219325) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 Released: 2010 The tiny British TrunkFind albums on this label Records label (owned by Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist) is an endless source of discovery for a serious collector, specializing in unearthing ultra rare (or rarer) recordings and bringing them back to light. For specialist in British Jazz Trunk Records have some incredible offers, like this incredible long out of print album by saxophonist / composer Kenny GrahamFind albums by this artist, who was one of the great leaders of the British scene in the 1950s and early 1960s. This album presents two suites composed by Graham and performed by his expanded Band, which included some of the greatest players on the scene, like pianist Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist and many others. The first of these suites is based on the music of the eccentric American composer MoondogFind albums by this artist, and the second is Graham´s "answer". The music is absolutely superb, eons ahead of their time and so unusual that one tends to check the recording date repeatedly in disbelief. What a surprising piece of the British Jazz history. This album is a wonderful document of the era and an indispensable part of any serious British Jazz collection!

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JONATHAN KLEIN ~ HEAR, O ISRAEL – A PRAYER CEREMONY IN JAZZ TRUNK 025 (Barcode: 666017168128) ~ USA ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1968 Released: 2008 The tiny British TrunkFind albums on this label Records label (owned by Jonny TrunkFind albums by this artist) is an endless source of discovery for a serious collector, specializing in unearthing ultra rare (or rarer) recordings and bringing them back to light. For specialist in Jazz Trunk Records have some incredible offers, like this incredible privately recorded album from 1968, which includes the music by Jonathan KleinFind albums by this artist – a seventeen years old youth at the time, performed by an incredible ensemble of leading American Jazz players: trumpeter Thad JonesFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Jerome RichardsonFind albums by this artist, pianist Herbie HancockFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron CarterFind albums by this artist and drummer Grady TateFind albums by this artist. Klein plays French horn and is the last member of the sextet. The music was conceived to be performed at a synagogue and was accompanied by singers singing verses from the Bible. Musically it is an incredible piece of modern Jazz, performed by the best musicians at the time. But the album is so completely obscure, that none of the discographies of the Jazz Giants involved lists it. So, as Jonny himself puts it, "Hallelujah", prize the Lord for making such a recording at the time and now having it back in circulation! Incredibly wonderful stuff!

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