Record Reviews

DON RENDELL / IAN CARR QUINTET ~ WARM UP JAZZ IN BRITAIN 44 (Barcode: 5060774190487) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2022 This is an archival 2CD live album by the fabled British Jazz quintet co-led by saxophonist / composer Don RendellFind albums by this artist and trumpeter / composer Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, which also included pianist / composer Michael GarrickFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and recently departed drummer Trevor TomkinsFind albums by this artist, to whom this album is dedicated. Part of the music contained here was previously released on the HarkitFind albums on this label label in 2003, but the entire concert at the Highwayman is now presented in full and sonically restored, accompanied by a 20-pages booklet with photos and an essay by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve tracks, four of which are original compositions by Garrick – the most prolific composer of the quintet, one by Rendell and one by the great Neil ArdleyFind albums by this artist, with the rest being Jazz standards. I have already written extensively about this magnificent quintet, so there is no need to repeat the obvious – they were the quintessential outfit at the time and champions of the process of establishing the new voice of the British Jazz after years of copying and admiring the American Jazz tradition, finally being able, together with several other contemporaries, to emancipate the music and create an autonomous, recognizable, aesthetically independent way of thinking and composing and most importantly improvising. Of course, all five members of the quintet were great performers, which means that the music kicks ass for the entire duration, but it deserves several listening sessions in order to recognize all the crucial moments of genius, where they offer innovation rather than just going through the motions. It is great to have the entire concert available, and to fill one more gap in the complex puzzle this quintet managed to create during its relatively short existence. Overall, this is another triumphant release by the Jazz In Britain label, which is a total labor of love and commitment. I look with great satisfaction at the growing stack of the label’s releases, which is the main source of archival material, producing an ongoing story of British Jazz. This album is a great addition to this growing legacy, and from what the people behind the scenes share with us, this is just a tiny portion of the material that comes their way. We can only hope the creative juices will keep flowing and the CDs coming – hats off to you people. And the album – well, it is a no brainer whatsoever – just grab a copy – satisfaction guaranteed!

Updated: 29/01/2023Posted: 28/01/2023

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TUBBY HAYES ~ NO BLUES: THE COMPLETE HOPBINE `65 JAZZ IN BRITAIN 53 (Barcode: 5060774190555) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1965 Released: 2023 This is an archival live album by British Jazz saxophonist / composer Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist recorded in a quartet setting with pianist Kenny PowellFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Dick BrennanFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist Tommy WhittleFind albums by this artist expands the lineup to a quintet on a couple of tracks. Two of the tracks are piano trio recordings. The music, which was recorded at the Hopbine club owned by Whittle, was taken from the Mathewson’s tape archive, which was left to the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label upon his death in 2020. The 2CD album presents seven tracks, all of which are standards. The album includes an extensive twenty-four pages long booklet, written by Hayes’ biographer Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist. The tape is a mono recording, but the sound quality is excellent and way better than the other version of this material, which was previously released by HarkitFind albums on this label Records in 2005, and the music can be heard loud and clear. One of the tracks, which lasts for almost twenty minutes, is released here for the first time and this is the first time this performance can he heard in its entirety. This album captures Hayes at the peak of the first part of his career, which was dedicated to becoming an “equal” to his American counterparts, as far as virtuosic improvisation and mastery of the Bebop idiom were concerned. He certainly achieved those goals and received full approval from the Americans, during his US stints during that period. But the drive to enter a more ambitious sphere, partly influenced by American Avant-Gardists like John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, and partly by the British / European Jazz revolution bubbling in the undercurrents, were about to take Hayes into a completely new era, which lasted for the sadly short last period of his life. The album is also a wonderful document of the London Jazz scene in the mid-1960s, which exploded with activity. The first post WWII wave of Jazz musicians were at their peak and the young and hungry generation barking at their behinds, who were about to take over the scene by the end of the decade and revolutionize it, creating for the first time what would become the true British Jazz, unique, innovative and utterly brilliant. Overall, this is a most welcome addition to Tubby Hayes recorded legacy and British Jazz fans surely will appreciate the work and dedication of the people behind the Jazz In Britain label, who keep bringing us these wonderful releases and keep the history of British Jazz alive. Absolutely essential part of any serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 02/07/2023Posted: 02/07/2023

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