Record Reviews

GARY BOYLE ~ ELECTRIC GLIDE ESOTERIC 2308 (Barcode: 5013929430846) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1978 Released: 2012 This is the 2nd solo album by the excellent British guitarist / composer Gary BoyleFind albums by this artist, recorded after his excellent group IsotopeFind albums by this artist disbanded. A brilliant guitarist, Boyle enjoyed success as a sideman both in the Prog and Jazz circles in UK, and the work with Isotope firmly established his reputation as a formidable Jazz-Rock Fusion player. This album, recorded with an excellent team of superb players: guitarists: Robert AwhaiFind albums by this artist, Gary MooreFind albums by this artist and Kenny ShawFind albums by this artist, bassist Phil ChenFind albums by this artist, drummers Simon PhillipsFind albums by this artist and Richard BaileyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist and percussionist Simon MortonFind albums by this artist, is a classic example of the British Fusion, full of intricate melodies and virtuosic performances. There is not a dull moment here, from start to finish, and Fusion fans, who for some strange reason might have overlooked this treasure are about to discover a goldmine of pleasures. A must to any intelligent Fusion fan!

CD 1 Oversampling Remastered Recommend To A Friend

BOBBY WELLINS QUARTET ~ WHAT WAS HAPPENING JAZZ IN BRITAIN 33 (Barcode: 5060774190340) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1978 - 1979 Released: 2023 This is a 2CD reissue / remaster of two albums by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, recorded in a classic quartet setting with keyboardist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Adrian KendonFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist. CD1 presents the album “JubilationFind albums with this title”, a live recording with four tracks, all original compositions by Wellins. It is expanded by three bonus tracks, also recorded live a few months earlier, all standards. CD2 presents the album “Dreams Are FreeFind albums with this title”, a studio recording with six tracks, all original compositions by Wellins. It is expanded by four bonus tracks, recorded live, all standards. As usual with the good people of Jazz In Britain label, the album is accompanied by extensive booklet, which presents background information about these recordings and new liner notes by Wells, whose reel tape archive was the source of the bonus material. Although the sound quality is not always perfect, it is certainly good enough to enjoy this splendid example of British Jazz at its best. Wellins was sadly badly under-recorded and most of his early releases, including his first two albums included herein, are all long unavailable, which makes this release ever more important. He was a very fluid improviser, always floating somewhere between mainstream and almost Free, and his unique approach aged very well, still being fascinating today. The three musicians accompanying Wellins are all highly talented and prove to be perfect for the job at hand. Overall, this is another piece of British Jazz history, saved from oblivion by the dedicated people, who do it best. Since time is certainly not standing still, it’s great to see the heroes of the genre, who are still with us, contribute their archival materials and memories to make these momentous documents. I find it absolutely outrageous that these efforts are not sponsored by Public funding, but sadly England is by far not the only country that cares little for its Cultural heritage. Hats off, as usual and thanks for your work Gentlemen!

Updated: 01/04/2024Posted: 01/04/2024

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BOBBY WELLINS SEXTET ~ HOMAGE TO CALEDONIA JAZZ IN BRITAIN 67 (Barcode: 5060774190739) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 Released: 2024 This is an archival live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, recorded with his sextet, which also includes pianist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Adrian KendonFind albums by this artist, drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist and percussionist Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, the first four recorded by a quartet and the rest by a sextet. Four tracks are parts of the “Culloden Moor Suite”. All the music was composed by Wellins, except the solo piano track composed by Jacobsen and one track, which is a medley of two standards. This album is a companion release to the “What Was HappeningFind albums with this title” album, recorded by the same quartet, which was also released by the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label. The “Culloden Moor SuiteFind albums with this title”, originally composed in 1961, was finally recorded in its full splendor with the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist, directed by Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist, only in 2013, which was the last recording before Wellins’ death in 2016. The sextet version appearing here is the only full version recorded in a “small ensemble” version. Wellins, primarily recognized for his work with Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, was a superb saxophonist and composer and his work as a leader was always a source of joy. His recording legacy as a leader is relatively limited and covers mostly his later period, therefore this album recorded in 1979 is a valuable addition. Also worth mentioning is the fact that the sextet includes Lol Coxhill, associated primarily with the “wilder” side of the British Jazz scene, not to say Avant-Garde, who fits the bill perfectly, despite the basically mainstream orientation of Wellins’ music. The lengthy piano solo track is an absolute gem and a great surprise! Overall, this is another splendid addition to the Jazz In Britain catalogue, which brings to life a piece of the history of the genre, which surely deserves to be remembered and heard. As usual kudos to the people behind the label for carrying on the great work, for we are humbly grateful.

Updated: 12/11/2024Posted: 12/11/2024

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BOBBY WELLINS / KENNY WHEELER QUINTET ~ THE ENDANGERED SPECIES JAZZ IN BRITAIN 78 (Barcode: 5060774190920) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1982 Released: 2025 This is an archival 3CD album, put together by the good people of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, which presents both studio (on CD1) and live (on CD2 & CD3) material recorded in 1982 by the quintet led by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, which included trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, pianist Pete JacobsenFind albums by this artist, bassist Kenny BaldockFind albums by this artist and drummer Spike WellsFind albums by this artist (the last living witness of these proceedings). Percussionist Chris KaranFind albums by this artist plays on the first three tracks of the studio recording. The album’s title refers to the three-part suite, composed by Wellins, dedicated to endangered British bird species, which appears here on CD1 in its original version, which is previously unreleased, as is all the material on this album. A different version of this suite recording, with added string arrangements, was released in 1989 as “Birds Of BrazilFind albums with this title” (reissued in 2012). All the story about the change of name and other details about the music appear in the attached booklet, which is, as usual, meticulously researched. In addition to the a.m. studio recording of the suite, the album presents two live recordings of it, one of which does not include Wheeler. In addition, there is one original composition by Wheeler and a bunch of standards, two of which appear twice with alternate takes. The music is, as expected, absolutely Godly and considering the fact that it can be heard here for the first time, is no less than sensational. For Wheeler followers (including yours truly) this is over three hours of Wheeler’s delight, arriving unexpectedly out of the blue. But all the members of the quintet perform exceptionally well, and this music is everything one might hope for, as far as archival recordings of British Jazz are concerned. Overall, this is another triumphant achievement by the Jazz In Britain label, which appears to be unstoppable in its quest to unearth lost musical treasures and bring them back to life. The quality of the live recordings is obviously not as pristine as that of the studio takes, but it is definitely still perfectly audible and sparks with energy and excellent musicianship. This is another must have to all avid British Jazz collectors, who must be truly grateful to the people behind the scenes, for their stamina and dedication to the cause.

Updated: 09/09/2025Posted: 09/09/2025

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Remastered Recommend To A Friend