Record Reviews
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  | HARRY BECKETT ~ JOY UNLIMITED
CADILLAC 017 (Barcode: 5020675572485) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2020
This is a reissue / remaster of a classic album by British Jazz trumpeter / composer / bandleader Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, recorded with a sextet, with also included keyboardist Brian MillerFind albums by this artist, guitarist Ray RussellFind albums by this artist, bassist Daryl RunswickFind albums by this artist, drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist and percussionist Martin DavidFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, all by Beckett.
This long overdue reissue was prompted by the publication of Beckett’s biography “The Many Faces of Harry Beckett” by John ThurlowFind albums by this artist, who also wrote the new liner notes, which are featured on the album’s artwork, in addition to the original liner notes by John FordhamFind albums by this artist. The album, which was Beckett’s fourth release as a leader, was released by the small independent CadillacFind albums on this label Records label established by John JackFind albums by this artist in 1973, and which subsequently released several iconic British Jazz recordings, some of which are still waiting for a reissue.
The music on this album is quite different from Beckett’s earlier recordings, which were more within the modern mainstream Jazz idiom. This album is however pure Jazz-Rock Fusion with some World Music influences, mostly rhythmically. In addition to Beckett’s brilliant trumpet parts, the rest of the instrumental work is highly charged by the electric guitar and keyboards, which take the music towards the British Fusion, which flourished at the time.
Russell, Miller and Runswick play some highly exciting soli throughout the album, which could be easily associated with the Fusion bands active at the time, like IsotopeFind albums by this artist, Rock WorkshopFind albums by this artist, IfFind albums by this artist and many others. With the Latin / Caribbean rhythms added, this album is certainly quite unique and in retrospect deserves a much wider recognition than it managed to achieve.
Overall, this is a classic British Jazz gem, worthy a proper place in any serious record collection. It should also be quite educational for the new generation of musicians, showing how cross-pollination and genre-crossing can lead to magnificent results, not to mention the respect due to all these wonderful musicians, who proved there are no limits to creativity. This is an absolute must of course and thanks to John’s initiative to make it available again, which he is practicing on the daily basis by running the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label reissues label.
| | Updated: 18/02/2023Posted: 18/02/2023 | CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ELTON DEAN ~ THE VORTEX TAPES
SLAM 203 (Barcode: 5028386020325) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music
Recorded: 1990 Released: 1992
This is a live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, recorded at the legendary London’s Vortex club during the five days of the last week of September 1990, each night with a different lineup, four of which are quartets and one is a sextet. The list of the participating musicians reads like the Who’s Who of the British Free Jazz / Improvised Music scene at the time and includes pianists Keith TippettFind albums by this artist and Howard RileyFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Trevor WattsFind albums by this artist, Jerry UnderwoodFind albums by this artist and Simon PicardFind albums by this artist, trombonists Nick EvansFind albums by this artist and Paul RutherfordFind albums by this artist, bassists Marcio MattosFind albums by this artist and Paul RogersFind albums by this artist, drummers Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist, Mark SandersFind albums by this artist, Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. The fact that Dean managed to invite all these great musicians to play with him during one week speak volumes about his position on the scene and the respect he earned over the years. The album presents five tracks, three of which are over ten minutes in duration. All the music was composed by Dean.
The music is absolutely in sync with what one might have expected from such esteemed players, Free Jazz oriented, full of passion and incredible dialogues between these musicians, who often played with each other in various settings. The incredible intensity of the music still allows for excellent individual contributions to be clearly heard. The sextet (four saxophones) track is a wonderful example of group improvisation, where the mutual respect is fully observed and the saxophone quartet is featured as an organic micro-orchestral unit, later joined by the rhythm section.
There is so much superb music on this album, that writing about it is actually pretty redundant, and should simply encourage to grab a copy of this gem, before it completely disappears from the market. British Jazz enthusiasts and even listeners who are aware of Elton Dean only through his association with Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, should make to bold step forward and embrace this facet of Dean’s incredible talent.
Overall, this is a monumental document of the British Free Jazz scene by the end of the 1990s, when it was at its absolute peak. The tornado swirl on the album’s cover reflects the power and spirit of the music perfectly and fans of this kind of music should find this album indispensable. Lucky for us this music was captured on tape and released, staying with us for posterity. A true force of Nature!
| | Updated: 24/06/2023Posted: 24/06/2023 | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ISOTOPE ~ DEEP END
ESOTERIC 2274 (Barcode: 5013929737426) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1975 Released: 2011
After playing with Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist and many leading Jazz ensembles, guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, one of the most innovative and technically brilliant players on the British scene, eventually founded his own quartet, called IsotopeFind albums by this artist. In retrospect, Isotope was one of the finest early British Jazz-Rock ensembles, which played ambitious music and included some of the best players on the scene at the time. But as usual, playing fine music made it difficult to keep the group going for a long time, so after recording three excellent albums and sticking together for a few years, Isotope disappeared into oblivion. This was their 3rd and last album and the group was expanded into a quintet and included keyboardists Frank RobertsFind albums by this artist and Zoe KronbergerFind albums by this artist, bassist Dan K. BrownFind albums by this artist and drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist (who played with Boyle in Yamash`ta’s group) as well as several guest musicians. The music is brilliant from start to finish, slightly resembling Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but of course completely original. This is an absolute must to all early British Jazz-Rock connoisseurs!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | ISOTOPE ~ GOLDEN SECTION
CUNEIFORM 273 (Barcode: 045775027326) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 - 1975 Released: 2008
Relatively little known and surely deserving more recognition, the British Jazz-Rock Fusion band IsotopeFind albums by this artist, led by guitarist Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, recorded just 3 albums between 1974 and 1976, and these were soon out of general circulation. The only live recordings by the band available so far were the BBC sessions on HuxFind albums on this label Records, and therefore this collection of live material is a most welcome addition to the band´s recorded legacy. Recorded between 1974 and 1975, the material captures the second incarnation of the band, which included Boyle on guitar, Laurence ScottFind albums by this artist on keyboards, ex-Soft MachineFind albums by this artist bassist / composer Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist. Percussionist Aureo de SouzaFind albums by this artist was also a member of the band for several months, and the full quintet appears here for the first time on record. The three dates include a Radio Bremen performance (the Radio Bremen is a superb source of material for 1970s British music, second only to the BBC), the only US tour Isotope made in 1975 and an earlier UK recording from 1974. The music includes some of the material recorded on the 2nd Isotope album "IllusionFind albums with this title" and other pieces previously unheard, composed mostly by Boyle and Hopper. For Isotope fans this is an absolute delight, but any fun of the 1970s British Jazz-Rock scene will find this material indispensible.
| | | CD 1 Recommend To A Friend |
  | ISOTOPE ~ ILLUSION
ESOTERIC 2273 (Barcode: 5013929737327) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1974 Released: 2011
After playing with Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist and many leading Jazz ensembles, guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, one of the most innovative and technically brilliant players on the British scene, eventually founded his own quartet, called IsotopeFind albums by this artist. In retrospect, Isotope was one of the finest early British Jazz-Rock ensembles, which played ambitious music and included some of the best players on the scene at the time. But as usual, playing fine music made it difficult to keep the group going for a long time, so after recording three excellent albums and sticking together for a few years, Isotope disappeared into oblivion. This was their 2nd album and the quartet included keyboardist Laurence ScottFind albums by this artist, great bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist (Soft MachineFind albums by this artist) and drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist (Hopper and Morris played with Boyle in Yamash`ta’s group). The music is brilliant from start to finish, slightly resembling Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but of course completely original. This is an absolute must to all early British Jazz-Rock connoisseurs!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ISOTOPE ~ ISOTOPE
ESOTERIC 2272 (Barcode: 5013929737228) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 1973 Released: 2011
After playing with Brian AugerFind albums by this artist, Stomu Yamash`taFind albums by this artist and many leading Jazz ensembles, guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, one of the most innovative and technically brilliant players on the British scene, eventually founded his own quartet, called IsotopeFind albums by this artist. In retrospect, Isotope was one of the finest early British Jazz-Rock ensembles, which played ambitious music and included some of the best players on the scene at the time. But as usual, playing fine music made it difficult to keep the group going for a long time, so after recording three excellent albums and sticking together for a few years, Isotope disappeared into oblivion. This was their 1st album and the quartet included keyboardist Brian MillerFind albums by this artist (who also wrote most of the music on this album), great bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist (NucleusFind albums by this artist) and drummer Nigel MorrisFind albums by this artist (who played with Boyle in Yamash`ta’s group). The music is brilliant from start to finish, slightly resembling Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, but of course completely original. This is an absolute must to all early British Jazz-Rock connoisseurs!
| | | CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
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