Record Reviews

LONDON JAZZ CHAMBER GROUP ~ ADAM`S RIB SUITE ACROBAT 4259 (Barcode: 824046425920) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Classical Fusion Recorded: 1970 Released: 2007 This is a reissue of the of the album by the London Jazz Chamber GroupFind albums by this artist, which combines a Jazz sextet: trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist / flautist Roy WilloxFind albums by this artist, pianist Ken MouleFind albums by this artist, guitarist Louis StewartFind albums by this artist, bassist Lennie BushFind albums by this artist and drummer Ronnie StevensonFind albums by this artist and a string quartet led by violist Patrick HallingFind albums by this artist. They perform together an eleven-part suite composed by Moule. The music is a marvelous collection of melodic themes, brilliantly arranged for a Jazz sexted and a string quartet, which is Moule’s greatest achievement in his long and diverse musical career. These excellent players perform the music with panache and gusto, as expected, and the string arrangements are completely unique and innovative floating between Classical and stage music. For some completely unknown reason this album is completely unknown and I have never seen it mentioned anywhere, despite the fact that is a National Treasure as far as British Jazz is concerned. So here it is in full splendor, including the original cover art – which will hopefully nor be banned by the FB automata – and which proves that nakedness is not always pornography, and can be Art. Overall, this is great and very unusual Jazz album, which withstood the tides of time brilliantly and should have an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 07/02/2025Posted: 07/02/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

STAN TRACEY ~ FROM STAN, WITH LOVE (WITH LOVE FROM JAZZ / WE LOVE YOU MADLY) RESTEAMED 115 (Barcode: 5060138617155) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of two seminal albums by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist: “With Love From JazzFind albums with this title” and “We Love You MadlyFind albums with this title”, coupled together as a 2CD set. The first album is a quartet recording with Tracey, saxophonist Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist (Lennie BushFind albums by this artist and Ronnie StephensonFind albums by this artist replace Green and Dougan on the last track) and presents eight original compositions by the leader. The second album was recorded by an eighteen-piece Big Band (called Big Brass), which included some of the top British Jazz musicians at the time, such as trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Kenny BakerFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, Don RendellFind albums by this artist, and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Acker BilkFind albums by this artist, Tracey on piano, Bush on bass and drummer Barry MorganFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to American pianist / composer / bandleader Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and presents six compositions by him, one by Billy StrayhornFind albums by this artist and one by Tracey, all also arranged by him. The first album was recorded October12 and 31, 1967 and the second August 20 and 21, 1968 and released a year later (respectively) on the EMI / ColumbiaFind albums on this label label. The first album is a wonderful example of Tracey’s quartet work, based on his idiosyncratic compositions, often truly romantic in nature, which defined his style characterized by his singular chord vamping. This was the last recording with Wellins, who was replaced on future albums by Peter KingFind albums by this artist. Tracey and Wellins has a telepathic communication between them and played like musical twins, which of course is audible here as well. The last track is a surprising excursion into African rhythms, which finds Tracey playing the vibraphone. The Big Band album is a complete different cup of tea, with Tracey showing off his genius as arranger / Big Band leader, which always were his undeniable passions in addition to his composing and playing the piano. His love and respect to Ellington the composer is plainly apparent and his arrangements are highly unusual, almost diametrically different from the original Ellington recordings, which of course is a brilliant lesson in the differences between the American and British / European approach to using the Big Band as a musical tool. The original composition closing the album is a proverbial cherry on top of course. Personally this is one of my most loved Tracey recordings, but hey I love them all of course. Overall, these are two absolute British Jazz treasures, and their absence from the record market was a travesty. We should be grateful to Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist (Stan’s son) for bringing them back to life on the family’s ReSteamedFind albums on this label label, hopefully seeing more of these gems getting the same treatment soon. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 18/08/2021Posted: 18/08/2021

CD 2 Digipak Recommend To A Friend