Record Reviews
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  | GORDON BECK ~ JUBILATION!: TRIOS, QUARTETS, AND SEPTETS IN SESSION 1964-1984
TURTLE 501 (Barcode: 5013929580107) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1964 - 1984 Released: 2018
This is an archival release collecting live recordings made by various ensembles led by the seminal British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures of the revolutionary British Jazz movement of the 1960s, who died in 2011. The recordings present Beck in different settings, from solo piano to a septet, spanning two crucial decades in which Beck and the entire British Jazz scene metamorphosed from a copycat of American Jazz to a bold, adventurous and pioneering musical movement with its own values and aesthetics, leading the rest of Europe towards the same process of emancipation.
On the recordings included in this release Beck is accompanied by the crème de la crème of the British Jazz heroes; bassists Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, drummers Johnny ButtsFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. Of the twenty eight pieces performed, only three are standards and the rest are original compositions by Beck.
The music moves in a multidimensional space-time continuum, between traditional American Jazz and modern European Jazz, between standards and original compositions and between solo piano and ensemble playing, but always beautifully focused on Beck´s superb feel of melody and rhythm and his exquisite perception of harmony.
The trio recordings, which open the first of the three CDs included in this Box Set, present a transition, which presents the quantum jumps separated from each other by two years gaps (1964-1966-1968), by which Beck and the trio move from a Bill EvansFind albums by this artist inspired swing perfection to a much more open, almost free playing, emphasized mostly by the change of the drummer from Butts to Oxley, one of the most important Jazz drummers of all time. By the mid 1970s the trio will be brought to perfection with the inclusion of Mathewson, and rechristened to MOBFind albums by this artist (Mathewson / Oxley / Beck) which can be heard on the second CD.
The septet recordings, which take the rest of the first CD, are rather atypical in Beck´s career, as he preferred small ensembles, show Beck´s arranging skills, which he was able to perfect as the resident composer / arranger for the Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s all-star band, which included six of the seven members of the septet (John SurmanFind albums by this artist is the missing one).
The latest (chronologically) recordings present a quintet session, which is led by the mature musician Beck has become in the meantime, are presented on the third CD. Beck´s solo material is presented on the second and third CDs.
Overall the Box Set is full of magnificent music, diverse stylistically, but always perfectly executed, which presents a portrait of a great Artist. Considering that all these recordings are previously unreleased, this in an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. All the recordings were beautifully remastered and offer a first class listening experience.
The Box Set, which was released by the reanimated TurtleFind albums on this label Records, includes an extensive booklet written by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, which is intelligent, informative and well researched, a true model for what all releases of this kind should offer those who buy the product.
Absolutely essential to all British / European Jazz connoisseurs!
| | Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 15/02/2019 | CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend |
  | BILL BRUFORD / EARTHWORKS ~ LIVE AT THE SHAUBURG BREMEN 1987
MOOSICUS 1215 (Barcode: 885513121523) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1987 Released: 2022
This is an archival live album by the British Jazz drummer / composer / bandleader Bill BrufordFind albums by this artist and the first edition of his sensational quartet called EarthworksFind albums by this artist, which also included saxophonist Iain BallamyFind albums by this artist, pianist Django BatesFind albums by this artist and bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded by Radio Bremen in November 25, 1987, and offers ten tracks, all original compositions by the quartet members.
Bruford founded Earthworks in 1986 after spending almost twenty years as member of cutting edge Progressive Rock bands like YesFind albums by this artist (of which he was a founding member), King CrimsonFind albums by this artist, GenesisFind albums by this artist, U.K.Find albums by this artist and his own band called simply BrufordFind albums by this artist, returning to his Jazz roots. Earthworks comprised of the crème de la crème of the young British Jazz scene at the time and took the local as well as international scene by storm.
This live recording finds the quartet in absolute top form, over a year after their debut album was recorded and following extensive touring, which allowed them to develop the material and their unique musical approach. In contrast to expectations and speculations, Earthworks was a bona-fide Jazz quartet, which did not follow the Fusion path, which would have been more natural as a continuation of Bruford’s musical path up to that moment. Bellamy and Bates arrived from the sensational Loose TubesFind albums by this artist Big Band, which was one of British Jazz most surprising ensembles during the 1980, and Hutton was already a highly sought after young Jazz bassist on the local scene. Together they were simply unstoppable and the level of their performances was absolutely sensational. They were able to create a complex fury of sound, which was completely unprecedented on the British Jazz scene, and Bruford’s drumming behind Earthworks in as absolute peak of his career.
Overall, this album is a “missing link” in the Earthworks discography, from the period between the debut and the second album “Dig?Find albums with this title”, and of course an essential part in the Bruford discography, which none of his many fans will want to miss.
| | Updated: 17/06/2023Posted: 17/06/2023 | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | STAN SULZMANN ~ FEUDAL RABBITS
AH UM 011 ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1990 Released: 1991
This is a wonderful and completely obscure album by British saxophonist / flautist / clarinetist / composer / bandleader Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, recorded with bassist Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, bass guitarist Patrick BettisonFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, seven of which are original compositions by Sulzmann, one is by Hutton and finally one is a Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist composition. The album was released on the short-lived legendary Ah UmFind albums on this label label.
The unusual instrumentation, which presents a double bass lineup, presents the electric bass as a lead instrument and the acoustic bass as part of the rhythm section. The music is based on melodic themes, masterfully, as usual, weaved by Sultzmann and the intimate quartet setting is ideal for this delicate, often fragile music, which is deeply touching.
Sultzmann is of course brilliant as one might expect, but Bettison’s bass guitar parts are a delightful surprise, full of romance and wonderful feeling, in complete contrast to the Fusion oriented way the instrument is usually played.
Overall, this is a hidden British Jazz gem, which took me years to find a copy of, but the wait was definitely worth it big time. If you can find a copy, grab it, no questions asked!
Side Note
British composer / arranger Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist founded the short-lived Ah UmFind albums on this label label in 1989, which existed until 1993 and released a total of sixteen albums with some of the top British Jazz musicians of that period and a few American guests, which remain as of the finest recordings of that period. For some inexplicable reason all these albums are almost completely obsolete today, despite their excellent musical value, which is a shame, as they all deserve an honorable place in any decent British Jazz collection.
| | Updated: 10/03/2025Posted: 10/03/2025 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
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