Record Reviews
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  | ELTON DEAN / MARK HEWINS ~ BAR TORQUE
MOONJUNE 001 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
This (sax & guitar) duo goes way back to the days when both players were members of Soft HeapFind albums by this artist, a great Canterbury Jazz-Rock outfit which followed in the steps of Soft MachineFind albums by this artist. Here they present a series of long and extended improvisations, very much in the free-jazz vain. Not for everybody, but those who like this style of musical expression will enjoy this one very much.
Visitors' Comments
Christopher Brice
Recorded live at the Jazz Café 1992, London; remixed & remastered 2000; released 2001
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  | GILGAMESH ~ ANOTHER FINE TUNE YOU`VE GOT ME INTO
ESOTERIC 2126 (Barcode: 5013929722620) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009
2nd album by the wonderful Canterbury scene iconic ensemble GilgameshFind albums by this artist, founded by keyboardist Alan GowenFind albums by this artist in 1972. Over the years the ensemble operated under a revolving door policy with lineup changes as frequent as gigging opportunities and the musicians changing places between groups like Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist, Soft HeapFind albums by this artist and other lesser known outfits. The list of ex-Gilgamesh members reads like a crème de la crème of the Canterbury Jazz / Rock scene. By 1975 the group managed to record their debut album for the VirginFind albums on this label´s esoteric imprint CarolineFind albums on this label, only to splinter again soon after. Three years later Gowen re-assembled a new lineup of Gilgamesh and recorded this album, which unfortunately was to be their last, with Gowen dying of leukemia in 1981 at the age of just 33. The players on this album are Gowen on keyboards, original Gilgamesh member guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist and veteran Jazz drummer Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist. The music, written almost entirely by Gowen, is typical Canterbury mix of Jazz and some Rock influences, with extended improvisations and brilliant performances from start to finish. Gowen´s brilliant compositions remain unmatched and unchallenged in their harmonic beauty and sophistication. This is classic Canterbury stuff and it retains its vitality and importance with no signs of getting outdated. A must to any Canterbury or British Jazz-Rock enthusiast!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | HUGH HOPPER ~ JAZZLOOPS / THE STOLEN HOUR
EXPLORE RIGHTS MANAGEMENT 029 (Barcode: 5060105499616) ~ UK ~ Avant-Garde Jazz-Rock Fusion
Recorded: 2001 - 2004 Released: 2023
This is a reissue / remaster of two albums by the iconic British Jazz / Fusion / Prog / Avant-Garde bassist / multi-instrumentalist / composer Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist. Recorded between 2001 and 2004 the albums present collaborations with many invited musicians, like saxophonists Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Didier MalherbeFind albums by this artist and Simon PicardFind albums by this artist, vocalist / pianist Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, drummers Pip PyleFind albums by this artist, John MarshallFind albums by this artist and many other musicians. “JazzloopsFind albums with this title” presents eleven tracks and “The Stolen HourFind albums with this title” twelve tracks, all originals by Hopper.
The music is mostly Free-Jazz / Improvised Music oriented, but based on steady hypnotic loops and monotonic rhythms, and kept in an Ambient / Industrial mood, creating a highly unusual atmosphere and a drone-like feel. The contrast between the saxophone improvisations and the rhythmic background offer a magic effect, which takes a while to get into, but keeps the listener in constant state of sonic intoxication.
Hopper, who was the omnipresent hero of the Canterbury scene and played in dozens different groups, like Soft MachineFind albums by this artist, IsotopeFind albums by this artist, GilgameshFind albums by this artist, Soft HeapFind albums by this artist and many others and recorded a long list of legendary albums, was also an avid Jazz musician and played with the best British Jazz musicians over the years.
His later years (he died in 2009) were dedicated to recording many projects with different musicians, which were mostly only released posthumously. His collected recorded legacy is truly monumental and he deserves to be remembered as one of the key figures of the British Rock and Jazz Avant-Garde.
Overall, this is a most welcome reissue album, which brings back to life two important albums by Hopper, which were all but gone from the market and deserve to be heard by the young generation of listeners, who most probably never heard of their existence. Warmly recommended for lovers of nontrivial challenging music.
| | Updated: 21/04/2023Posted: 21/04/2023 | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT HEAP ~ SOFT HEAP
ESOTERIC 2131 (Barcode: 5013929723122) ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Recorded: 1978 Released: 2009
Only album by the great band Soft HeapFind albums by this artist, a short-lived Canterbury super-group where members of Soft MachineFind albums by this artist (Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist – bass and Elton DeanFind albums by this artist – sax) met with pianist Alan GowenFind albums by this artist (GilgameshFind albums by this artist, National HealthFind albums by this artist) and drummer Pip PyleFind albums by this artist (GongFind albums by this artist, Hatfield And The NorthFind albums by this artist). They managed to record just this one (eponymous) studio album and disbanded shortly afterwards, with each musician pursuing their own path. The band had all the qualities that make the Canterbury scene so special; superb musicianship, great compositions and a free spirit atmosphere with a dash of typical British humor. For specialists – the band´s name (second word) is an acronym of the band members´ first names. Considering the fact that Gowen, Dean, Pyle and Hopper are no longer with us (they passed away in 1981, 2006, 2006 and 2009 respectively) this is a tremendously important document of an era, which unfortunately is long time gone. A must for any Canterbury fan!
| | | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | SOFT HEAP ~ SOFT HEAP
SPALAX 14839 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Only album from 1979 by this offshot group combining members from Soft Machine and National Health, which clearly defines the direction of the music - Canterbury at its best with a very strong jazz influence (stronger even then in the original groups from which the members hail). Some great compositions and brilliant performances are present, as expected.
| | | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
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