Record Reviews

JOHN TAYLOR ~ 2081 CAM JAZZ 7889 (Barcode: 8052405141699) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2014 Released: 2015 This is the last album by British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist, recorded just a few months before his untimely passing. The recording was done in a quartet setting with two of Taylor´s sons: vocalist Alex TaylorFind albums by this artist and drummer Leo TaylorFind albums by this artist and tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents six songs, all composed by John Taylor with lyrics by Alex Taylor, except one which has lyrics by John. The album´s title refers to a story by Kurt VonnegutFind albums by this artist, whose writings were a great inspiration for John Taylor. The music was originally commissioned by the BBC in 2012 for an octet, but nor recorded at the time, rearranged her for the quartet setting. This music and the ambience of this album are completely different from most other recordings by Taylor and might come as a great surprise to his followers. The lineup is basically a piano trio with the bass replaced by the tuba, not unheard of but certainly quite unusual and requires getting used to. The vocal parts are limited and as a result most of the music is performed by the trio. Stylistically the music is very much in the usual John Taylor mold, full of beautiful melodies and lyricism, but the presence of the tuba and somewhat more Rock than Jazz oriented drumming contribute to create an unusual sound and ambience. Vocals are of course a part of Taylor´s legacy from the early days and his cooperation with Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and other vocalist attests to this wonderfully. Alex Taylor handles his parts with obvious heartfelt emotions and vocal ability. Marshall plays the "bass" part brilliantly, but also adds melodic phrases and occasionally solos splendidly. Taylors piano playing, which is as always the focus of the entire album, is of course as brilliant as always. Overall this is another brilliant addition to Taylor´s recording legacy and the participation of his sons symbolized the passing of the torch to the next generation, although definitely way too prematurely. This album is a must to all his followers and obviously a worthy addition to any British Jazz collection.

Updated: 23/10/2020Posted: 23/10/2020

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR / CREATIVE JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ EXITS AND ENTRANCES OH NO! 1001 (Barcode: 5017771113025) ~ UK ~ Free Jazz / Improvised Music Recorded: 1997 Released: 2001 This is an album by legendary British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist recorded with the Creative Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which for this recording was a septet comprising of saxophonists Julian ArguellesFind albums by this artist and Andy SchofieldFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, trombonist Liam KirkmanFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, guitarist David ChevallierFind albums by this artist and drummer Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by Taylor. The music was commissioned by the Creative Arts Orchestra and the album was produced by the orchestra´s founder Nick PurnellFind albums by this artist, who also released this album on his own label Oh No!Find albums on this label, which turned out to be the only album released by that label. The music is a wonderful modern Jazz, based on Taylors themes but very open to improvisations by the orchestra, which often develop into conversations between duos, trios and quartets within the octet and come together to the full octet lineup only during the conclusions of the pieces. The bass parts, which are replaced by the tuba, change the entire rhythm section perception and leave the main rhythmic concept of the pieces to be driven by the drums. In many respects this album is one of the most open / improvised recordings by Taylor, who is usually associated with the typical British long melodic processions. There is till plenty of that in the music, but it is much more fragmented and loosely associated, which for lovers of Improvised Music is absolutely delightful. In retrospect this is one of the least known recordings by Taylor, which of course is criminally unjustified. At the time this music was recorded British Jazz almost entirely said farewell to Free Jazz / Improvised Music, which characterized the genre just a couple of decades earlier, and is a superb reminder of the fact, that Avant-Garde music can be not only extraordinary inventive but at the same time also insanely beautiful. Overall this is a wonderful album, which presents Taylor at his very best both as a pianist and even more so as a composer. Surrounded by some of the best British players at the time, Taylor managed to produce a monumental piece of ensemble music, which lost absolutely nothing of its power and beauty over time. For his many fans, as well as connoisseurs of British Jazz and collectors, this is a true marvel!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted: 02/04/2019

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DICK WALTER / JAZZCRAFT ENSEMBLE ~ SECRET MOVES ASC 029 (Barcode: 5029716002929) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by the British composer / arranger Dick WalterFind albums by this artist recorded with the Jazzcraft EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a gathering of eleven top British Jazz musicians and five guest stars, which collectively read like the who´s who of British Jazz at the closure of the previous Millennium. The ensemble, conducted by Walter, included trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, flugelhornist Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, French horn player Richard BissillFind albums by this artist, valve trombonist Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist and Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. The guests were: vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Alan BarnesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and finally guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short pieces, five of which are original compositions by Walter and the rest are carefully selected Jazz standards and one BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, all exquisitely arranged by Walter. Each and every one of these pieces is an absolute gem, perfectly rounded and complete like a mini-suite, representing all the best in British / European Jazz: delicate aesthetics, superb taste, intelligence and deep understanding of music. This album is one of the most perfect examples of large ensemble Jazz ever recorded and should be a schoolbook example of Jazz arrangement. The music is also beautifully performed by these Master musicians, who contribute perfect ensemble playing as well as beautiful soli, all relatively concise due to the album´s timing limitations, but nevertheless perfectly rounded and expressive. Altogether these seventy two minutes of music round up almost everything there is to say in a mainstream Jazz ensemble format. I have no idea how this nugget managed to slip under my radar for so many years; better late than never is the only solace. The music brings so many memories and associations about British Jazz and its history, that listening to it for the first time was a deeply emotional experience for me. Repeated listening sessions revealed the depth of the arrangements and the incredible craft involved in making it. It is a true masterpiece in every respect. I can hardly imagine a proper British Jazz collection being complete without this album being part of it, and therefore grab a copy as long as it is still available. You can thank me later on, after you have listened to it ;)

Updated: 24/01/2023Posted: 15/04/2019

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend