Record Reviews

PENTANGLE ~ THE ALBUMS CHERRY RED BOX 41 (Barcode: 5013929104105) ~ UK ~ Folk-Rock Recorded: 1968 - 1972 Released: 2017 This exquisite Box Set presents the reissues of all the six albums recorded by the first incarnation of the legendary British Folk-Rock group PentangleFind albums by this artist, which existed between 1967 and 1973 and recorded the following albums between 1968 and 1972: "The PentangleFind albums with this title" (released 1968), "Sweet ChildFind albums with this title" (released 1968 as a double LP), "Basket Of LightFind albums with this title" (released 1969), "Cruel SisterFind albums with this title" (released 1970), "ReflectionFind albums with this title" (released 1971) and finally "Solomon`s SealFind albums with this title" (released 1972). The first five of these albums were originally released on TransatlanticFind albums on this label Records and the sixth on RepriseFind albums on this label Records. All six albums were reissued on CD by CastleFind albums on this label Records between 2001 and 2003 in expanded versions, adding bonus tracks. This Box Set edition adds a plethora of additional bonus tracks, some of which appeared on the 4CD Box Set compilation "The Time Has Come: 1967-1973Find albums with this title" (released by Castle in 2007), but most are previously unreleased, which of course makes this Box Set even more desirable that it already is. The original Pentangle lineup featured on these albums included the charismatic vocalist blessed with an angelic voice: Jacqui McSheeFind albums by this artist, two exquisite and virtuosic guitarists: John RenbournFind albums by this artist and Bert JanschFind albums by this artist and superbly Jazzy rhythm section: bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Terry CoxFind albums by this artist, which together were unparalleled to any other outfit at the time and presented a brilliant amalgam of British Folk, Rock and Jazz, spiced with virtuosic vocal harmonies and instrumental parts. The music is a mixture of superb original material and fabulous arrangements of traditional tunes, all spotlessly and wonderfully performed by the group´s members. Pentangle basically established the rules of Folk-Rock, Prog-Folk, Jazz-Folk and similar sub-genres, for generations to come and all British Folkies from that time on tried to follow their steps, as the genre flourished between late 1960s and late 1970s. The competition was fierce with such excellent acts as StrawbsFind albums by this artist, Fairport ConventionFind albums by this artist, Steeleye SpanFind albums by this artist and others, but Pentangle maintained the leading position until the band fell apart in 1973, only to return by the early 1980s, but that is another story altogether. This Box Set includes hours of exquisite music, which although closely related to British Folk encompasses various other genres and is diverse, elegant, interesting and entertaining. I can hardly imagine any serious music collection not including this music and if someone does not already own these albums on vinyl or earlier CD reissues, this Box Set is the ultimate solution. An absolute must have by any standard!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 19/05/2018

CD 7 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

ARTHUR BROWN ~ THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN (50TH ANNIVERSARY SUPER DELUXE EDITION) CHERRY RED AMERICA 001 (Barcode: 760137187219) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1965 - 1968 Released: 2018 This is a Box Set reissue, marking the 50th Anniversary of the release of one of the greatest Rock albums of all times, the debut release by the British vocalist / songwriter Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist and his group called The Crazy World Of Arthur BrownFind albums by this artist, which included organist / composer / arranger Vincent CraneFind albums by this artist, bassist Sean GreenwoodFind albums by this artist and drummer Drachen TheakerFind albums by this artist. The Box Set includes the original LP (stereo mix) and 3 CDs, as follows: CD1 presents the stereo mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and seven bonus tracks originating from A and B sides of singles, which are mostly non-album tracks, except for two versions of “Fire”. CD2 presents the mono mix version of the original album (eleven tracks) and nine bonus tracks, which are alternate versions or alternate mixes. CD3 presents live radio broadcasts, six from BBC sessions and four from other radio sources, as well as four early recordings from 1965-1966. The music was all original and composed by Crane, who also wrote the orchestral arrangements, and Brown contributed the lyrics, except for two covers, which were brilliantly arranged to fit the sound and concept of the album. Side A of the original album was a six-part continuous suite. In retrospect, this album was a milestone of British Rock / Psychedelia and to some degree also early Jazz-Rock Fusion. Crane’s brilliant compositions and arrangements, which are soaked in Jazzy undercurrents and Brown’s theatrical, almost operatic vocals are absolutely unprecedented and pioneering in their sheer chutzpa of discarding stylistic limitations, norms and conventions. Despite the fact that the album was rather poorly recorded (the mono mixes are superior IMHO), which no remaster can revive or restore, the originality, energy and pure Genius of the music keeps it alive and kicking and fifty-five years later it remains completely unblemished. Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, but sadly remains underappreciated and his Art has a limited exposure, which is a crying shame. The premature death of Crane in 1989 robbed the world of one of the greatest organists and composers in Rock, and similarly the death of Theaker in 1992 took away a highly imaginative and original drummer. Overall, this is a superb tribute to one of the greatest Rock albums of all time, which lost nothing of its originality and sheer imaginative artistry in the span of the fifty-five years since it was released. It is a unique, one-time phenomenon in music, which should be celebrated by music lovers the world over, although Brown continues to make brilliant music to this very day, sadly not able to reach a wide audience he truly deserves. A timeless classic!

Updated: 11/03/2023Posted: 11/03/2023

3CD+LP 4 Box Set Essential Recommend To A Friend

BYZANTIUM ~ HALF WAY DREAMING: ANTHOLOGY 1969-75 GRAPEFRUIT 082 (Barcode: 5013929188204) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1969 - 1975 Released: 2021 This is a Box Set reissue / archival release of the entire recording legacy by the obscure British Rock / Prog group ByzantiumFind albums by this artist (and the early version of the group called OraFind albums by this artist), recorded between 1969 and 1975. It includes the only album by Ora, three albums by Byzantium and a plethora of previously unreleased studio and live material, all remastered and carefully researched / annotated in the booklet included in the Box Set. The music is the usual delightful mixture of British Rock, which includes Psychedelia, Folk influences and Rock explorations, all brilliantly sung and played by the group members, who employed vocal harmonies / instrumental improvisations with a Jazzy flair and most of all brilliant songwriting to create music, which remains an unspoiled and unadulterated musical joy. Byzantium are a classic example of the music scene in Britain, which exploded with talent during the Golden Decade and produced countless and continuously changing groups / group lineups creating a kaleidoscope of musical creativity, which (as a witness) was simply impossible to follow at the time. Most of those groups disappeared into the tides of time, many leaving no recorded legacy, but a huge amount of music was recorded, and absurdly is available and much easier to find today than it was at the time, thanks to the work and dedication of reissue labels, like GrapefruitFind albums on this label Records (a division of the Cherry RedFind albums on this label Records Empire), which brings them back to life. Overall, this Box Set is a splendid opportunity to discover some obscure, but great music made five decades ago, which is still fresh, challenging and entertaining, and of course better that anything concocted today.

Updated: 20/08/2021Posted: 20/08/2021

CD 5 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

MICHAEL GIBBS / GARY BURTON ~ FESTIVAL 69 TURTLE 503 (Barcode: 5013929580305) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2018 This is an archival release documenting a live concert by pioneering American vibraphonist / composer Gary BurtonFind albums by this artist supported by a Big Band led by British trombonist / composer / bandleader Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist. The concert, which is presented on the first two CDs of this three CDs set, was recorded in November 1969 in Belfast. The third CD presents an earlier (February 1969) recording by the Big Band at the Lancaster University. Both recording were made prior to the release of the Michael Gibbs eponymous debut album in 1970. The first CD presents five tracks performed by the Gary Burton Quartet, which included guitarist Dave PritchardFind albums by this artist, bassist Steve SwallowFind albums by this artist and drummer Bill GoodwinFind albums by this artist, and one track with the quartet supported by the Big Band, which included trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Gibbs of course, trumpeters Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist and Trevor BarberFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist and guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist. The second CD presents four tracks with the quartet supported by the Big Band and one final track just by the quartet. The third CD presents the Big Band with a dreamy lineup of saxophonists John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist and Alan Skidmore, trumpeters Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist and Rodney TealFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris Pyne and Gibbs of course, tuba player Dick HartFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, pianist Mick PyneFind albums by this artist, guitarist Phil LeeFind albums by this artist, bassist Jack BruceFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist – a true Who´s Who of the British Jazz scene at the time. The Big Band performs eight original compositions by Gibbs (two combined into one track). The Gibbs / Burton association goes back to their common Berklee School of Music days. Burton included many compositions by Gibbs on his albums in the 1960s, but for a variety of reasons they did not manage to record together until the "In The Public InterestFind albums with this title" album released in 1974. In fact almost all of the compositions by Gibbs appearing in this set were already previously recorded by Burton. Therefore this historic recording is another wonderful example of their lasting cooperation, and since it remained unreleased for five decades, it is even more significant. Of course Burton always was a "strange bird" on the American Jazz scene and his aesthetic affiliations were much closer to the European Jazz, which was rapidly developing by the mid-1960s. The pioneering Jazz-Rock Fusion recordings by his quartet, especially those with guitarist Larry CoryellFind albums by this artist, paved the way for the Fusion explosion by the end of the 1960. It is therefore not surprising, that Burton was able to appreciate the quality of Gibbs´ compositions in spite of their complex harmonic and rhythmic structures. The Lancaster University recording is by no mean less interesting and presents the very early stage of Gibbs´ illustrious career as a band leader, parallel to his composing duties. The glorious days of British Jazz when the concept of a functional Big Band was still feasible were sadly rather short lived and therefore any document of the era is simply invaluable. The presence of Jack Bruce on bass, shedding his superstar post-CreamFind albums by this artist image just for the love of Jazz, that he always considered as very close to his heart, was far from sensationalism. In the short period of time, when Bruce was closely involved with the core British Jazz scene, including the recording of his superb "Things We LikeFind albums with this title" album, are truly worth remembering. Overall this set is a splendid piece of the British Jazz at its creative peak, and as such is an essential part of every serious British Jazz collection. The sound, which is far from ideal, has been restored to the best ability of today´s sound technology and the set includes well researched and comprehensive booklet describing the background and circumstances of these recordings, which is very informative. This set is the fifth release by the resurrected TurtleFind albums on this label Records, a Cherry RedFind albums on this label label dedicated to reissues and archive releases of historic British Jazz recordings, which unearth lost and forgotten musical treasures British Jazz connoisseurs simply can´t live without!

Updated: 28/06/2021Posted: 30/09/2018

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Recommend To A Friend