Record Reviews

JOE HARRIOTT ~ KILLER JOE! GIANT STEPS 020 (Barcode: 5013929852020) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1954 - 1956 Released: 2006 Arriving in Britain in 1951 form Jamaica, where he was born, 22 years old saxophonist Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist would soon become one of the central figures of the British Jazz scene and a decade later he would emerge as a prophet of the new exploding British / European Jazz revolution. Harriott´s tragic death at a ridiculously young age robbed Jazz enthusiast of one of the genre´s greatest talents much too early, especially in view of the relatively limited recorded legacy left by him. Therefore any release with music recorded by Harriott is a most joyous occasion, especially when the material is not available elsewhere. This fantastic collection covers the years 1954-1956 and presents Harriott in a variety of settings from small ensembles, like the Tony KinseyFind albums by this artist group, of which he was a regular member, to large ensembles like the short-lived Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist Orchestra. Listening to these tracks one can easily understand why Harriott stood apart from the rest of the British players. Not taking anything for granted, especially not the Bop tradition, he always sounded like nobody else. His Caribbean background probably sparked his exuberance and highly energetic attack, and these, combined with his natural genius made him a monster performer and brilliant improviser. This music is a holy grail of early British Jazz, and anybody interested in this field absolutely must listen to this album. But honestly, anybody who has a pair of decent ears must recognize the brilliance included herein. Absolutely essential!

CD 2 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

TONY KINSEY ~ HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING / TIME GENTLEMEN PLEA VOCALION 4262 (Barcode: 765387426224) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1958 - 1963 Released: 2005 British drummer Tony KinseyFind albums by this artist was one of the pillars of the local Jazz scene in the crucial period of late 1950s and early 1960s when British Jazz was absorbing the influences of the American Jazz and transforming them slowly into a new language of European Jazz. Although still very much influenced by American Bebop players, Kinsey and his quintet took the music a step further, replacing the raw energy of Bebop with European sophistication and classic harmony, producing highly intelligent music which was also elegant and although seemingly straight-forward, quite complex at its core. These two albums, from 1963 and 1958 present two of Kinsey´s quintets, both including trumpeter Les CondonFind albums by this artist, but the 1963 quintet includes two young players, which were destined to be crucial figure on the British Jazz scene in the decade that followed, saxophonist Peter KingFind albums by this artist and brilliant pianist Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist. This is great music, richly deserving to be remembered, and this reissue is truly a great opportunity to take a glimpse at this interesting period of early European Jazz. Warmly recommended!

Updated: 01/06/2018Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend

TONY KINSEY ~ INTRODUCING / JAZZ AT THE FLAMINGO SESSION VOCALION 4213 (Barcode: 765387421328) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1956 - 1957 Released: 2003 Drummer / composer / arranger Tony KinseyFind albums by this artist was one of the brightest stars on the modern British Jazz scene at its inception. Founder member of the Johnny Dankworth SevenFind albums by this artist in 1950, Kinsey later started to lead his own quintet and the first of the two albums included on this wonderful reissue is his debut recording with that quintet. Featuring a double saxophone front line the quintet included saxophonists Don RendellFind albums by this artist and Ronnie RossFind albums by this artist, pianist / vibraphonist Bill Le SageFind albums by this artist and bassist Pete BlanninFind albums by this artist. The second album is a live recording done just a few months after the debut and features the same rhythm section with two different saxophonists: Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist and Bob EffordFind albums by this artist. The music is mostly Jazz standards with few originals by Kinsey, Le Sage and Harriott, but the arrangements are completely different from the usual Bebop approach, adding some Cool and European tradition into the mix. The result clearly shows the seeds of the complete revolution and emancipation from the American Jazz that would follow just a few years after these recordings were made. Clearly Rendell and Harriott are such virtuosi players that they could blow any American saxophonist off the stage with ease. This is some of the best European early modern Jazz and the beautifully remastered sound just makes everything perfect. Absolutely brilliant stuff!

Updated: 01/06/2018Posted:

CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend