Record Reviews

ARILD ANDERSEN ~ CELEBRATION ECM 2259 (Barcode: 602527909479) ~ NORWAY ~ Jazz Recorded: 2010 Released: 2012 Norwegian bassist / composer Arild AndersenFind albums by this artist has been one of my favorite musicians since decades and his immense talent and class were always beacons of light in the dark. His elegance and natural cool emphasize the best qualities of Scandinavian Jazz in particular and European Jazz in general. His numerous recording, mostly for ECMFind albums on this label, are all exemplary and his unshaken quality over the years is simply legendary. This album finds Andersen in quite unusual circumstances, cooperating with a large Jazz Orchestra, in this case the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist directed by saxophonist Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist. He and the orchestra perform five compositions by fellow ECM musicians: Dave HollandFind albums by this artist, Jan GarbarekFind albums by this artist, Chick CoreaFind albums by this artist, Keith JarrettFind albums by this artist and Trygve SeimFind albums by this artist (Garbarek and Seim being also fellow Norwegians) and one of his compositions, celebrating the music of ECM, which is considered by many to be the most important contribution to contemporary musical Culture in the last four decades. The six compositions have been arranged for the large orchestra, with the arrangements being very delicate and spacey, opening up slots for beautiful bass solos performed by Anderson and other musicians. The overall atmosphere of the music is very lyrical and somewhat subdued, applying the famous Scandinavian touch to the entire project, even in the case when the original music originates well beyond that sphere of influence. Andersen stands in the focal point performing some absolutely amazing bass solos, which could drive most bass players to complete despair. As stated before, the orchestra takes a step back, playing subtly and beautifully, but always remaining in the background, where it belongs in this particular project. This modesty and proper perspective deserve a great praise. The music was recorded live and as usual for an ECM production offers a wonderful sonic quality in addition to the obvious musical virtues. Those familiar with Andersen´s achievements will love this music and those still ignorant of them should use this opportunity to repent. Brilliant stuff!

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SCOTTISH NATIONAL JAZZ ORCHESTRA ~ SWEET SISTER SUITE SPARTACUS 026 (Barcode: 880992150637) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is a criminally little known British Jazz gem, an eight-parts suite composed and arranged by the brilliant Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, commissioned in 1996 by the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist (SNJOFind albums by this artist) directed by saxophonist / composer Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist. The suite was recorded only in 2017, three years after Wheeler’s departure, by the seventeen members of the SNJO and two guest soloists: trumpeter Laura JurdFind albums by this artist and Greek vocalist Irini ArabatziFind albums by this artist. The music is absolutely stunning, as expected, a classic Wheeler piece of Art and a brilliant example of his extended orchestral works. Performed splendidly by the SNJO members and the two guests, the music flows flawlessly between the suite parts, always perfectly balanced and elegant. This album adds yet another splendid piece of Wheeler’s composed works to the long list of his orchestral Jazz masterpieces. The wonderful touch of adding vocalese to the Big Band arrangements, which in many cases were executed by the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, are superbly done here by the young Arabatzi, who is definitely worth keeping an eye (well, ear) on. The trumpet soli by Jurd are also excellent, and bear a certain nostalgic similarity to Wheeler’s tone. She is also definitely worth following. Overall, this album is a must to all British Jazz lovers, Kenny Wheeler fans and orchestral Jazz enthusiasts, offering some of the absolutely stunning modern British Jazz out there. The fact that this music was recorded over twenty years after Wheeler submitted it to the SNJO, is a sad reminder of twisted fate of British Jazz, but “better late than never” is perfectly right in this case, as it would have been criminal for this music to disappear unrecorded. Grab a copy while they last!

Updated: 11/02/2023Posted: 11/02/2023

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BOBBY WELLINS ~ CULLODEN MOOR SUITE SPARTACUS 020 (Barcode: 880992140911) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is last album by the legendary British Jazz saxophonist / composer / bandleader Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, recorded in 2013 with the Scottish National Jazz OrchestraFind albums by this artist. The five-piece suite was originally composed in 1961 and is here performed in an orchestrated (by Florian RossFind albums by this artist) version with a large Big Band / Orchestra Directed by Tommy SmithFind albums by this artist, with Wellins as a chief soloist. Wellins died three years after this recording, which was sadly his swan song. Although primarily known as the saxophonist on the early iconic albums by Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist, Wellins had an impressive solo career over the years and the mellow / sweet tone of his tenor saxophone is one of the most recognizable voices of the formative days of the modern British Jazz. He continued to perform and record over the years and his legacy is worth being remembered and heard. He died in 2016. Overall, this is an important document of the great talent and the unique sound of Wellins, supported here by excellent Big Band / Orchestra and playing still in great form. For British Jazz fans, this is a worthy addition to every serious collection, commemorating his contribution to the scene and its recorded legacy. Sadly, this album is often overlooked and deserves another chance by any standard!

Updated: 17/09/2023Posted: 17/09/2023

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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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