Record Reviews

GORDON BECK / GYROSCOPE ~ PROGRESS JAZZ IN BRITAIN 12 (Barcode: 5060774190777) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1973 - 1974 Released: 2024 This is an archival album by the British pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, which collects the available recordings of the short-lived GyroscopeFind albums by this artist ensemble from 1973 and 1974. The work on this project goes back a few years, to the early days of the Jazz In BritainFind albums on this label label, and after being delayed for various reasons, was finally released in 2024. The convoluted story of the “making of…” is described in the wonderfully informative extended booklet, included with the 3CD album. The album presents eighteen lengthy tracks, sourced from rehearsals, live gigs and radio broadcasts. Four of these tracks were previously released on cassette only on Beck’s JaguarFind albums on this label Records label as “One, Two, Three… Go!Find albums with this title”, and the rest are all previously unreleased. Gyroscope consisted of Beck on piano / electric piano, saxophonist / flautist Brian SmithFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, bassist Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Tony LevinFind albums by this artist. Saxophonist / flautist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist replaced Smith in late 1973. The music, as expected, is absolutely brilliant, which is not surprising to anybody familiar with Beck’s work as leader and sideman. His extensive recorded legacy, which spans over thirty albums, is full of sublime music, which has always been one of my personal British Jazz favorites. His 1980s / 1990s releases on French OwlFind albums on this label and JMSFind albums on this label labels are among my favorites, but everything he recorded was blessed by his incredible talent and good taste. These early 1970s recordings are especially interesting for two reasons: Firstly, the extensive use of the electric piano: Beck was enamored with the instrument and managed to create way more than one would expect was possible from the limited (in comparison to the acoustic piano) instrumented, being a true innovator, which is plainly audible on this album. Secondly, the stylistic freedom, which was somewhat typical at the time especially in British Jazz, which allowed an unrestrained mixture of Jazz subgenres to united “under one roof” so to speak. As a result, we can hear on this album Latin, Funk, Modern Jazz, Modal, post-Bebop and even some Free Jazz touches, which swiftly move from one to the other, in complete fluency and harmony. Overall, this is a true gem of an album, worth the long wait, which is richly rewarded by the sublime musical content. For me it is one of the most important Jazz In Britain releases so far, not only because of my personal love of everything Gordon Beck related, but because it offers a comprehensive, well researched and put together piece of British Jazz history. As such, it is of course absolutely essential to all British Jazz lovers!

Updated: 12/01/2025Posted: 12/01/2025

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GORDON BECK ~ SUNBIRD JMS 007 (Barcode: 3760145920072) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1979 Released: 2021 This is a reissue / remaster of the first album by the British pianist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist that he recorded for the French label JMSFind albums on this label Records, owned by Jean-Marie SalhaniFind albums by this artist, one of the most important European Jazz record producers. Beck was associated with the label for many years and recorded several albums for the label. He is accompanied by British guitarist / composer Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist, with whom he recorded often over the years, French bassist Jean-Francois Jenny-ClarkFind albums by this artist and Italian drummer Aldo RomanoFind albums by this artist. The album presents five tracks, one of which is a four-part suite, all of which were composed by Beck. The music is, as usual in case of Beck’s compositions, superbly composed, based on deeply melodic themes and expanded improvisations. The suite combines four distinct parts, with different tempi and stylistic variations, but combined into a logical and aesthetical concord, including a short almost Free Jazz impromptu. The musical cooperation between Beck and Holdsworth, which includes two duo albums and several other recordings featuring them playing side by side, presents a unique telepathic relationship, which was absolutely remarkable, as obvious on this album as well. The pairing emphasized the more Jazz oriented playing by Holdsworth, whereas his solo recordings were mostly Fusion oriented. Of course the rhythm section is also brilliant, which is well documented on many albums recorded in the 1970s and 1980s on the French labels, like JMS, OwlFind albums on this label or Label BleuFind albums on this label Records. Overall, this is a remarkable document of British Jazz and an important release in the discography in both Beck and Holdsworth, and a great piece of music, which sounds as fresh and fascinating as it did at the time of its recording almost five decades ago.

Updated: 05/09/2026Posted: 05/09/2026

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ALLAN HOLDSWORTH / GORDON BECK ~ WITH A HEART IN MY SONG JMS 044 (Barcode: 3129679004427) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1988 Released: 1988 This is a brilliant duo album by British guitarist / composer Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of several albums they recorded together. The album presents seven original compositions, five by Beck and two by Holdsworth, with two of the tracks being solo pieces, one each by the duo members. The album was recorded in the USA and was produced by Holdsworth. Starting with the late 1970s Holdsworth and Beck recorded many albums for the French OwlFind albums on this label (owned by Jean-Jacques PussiauFind albums by this artist) and JMSFind albums on this label (owned by Jean-Marie SalhaniFind albums by this artist) labels, both of which were vastly important on the European Jazz scene at the time and released superb albums of the highest quality. This album presents the more romantic / lyrical side of their musical personas, as well as their amazing technique and composing depth. The music is all melody based, and the wonderfully crafted compositions are ideal vehicles for both musicians to spread their wings as performers / soloists, although this album emphasizes mostly their wonderful mutual understanding and camaraderie. The music is soaked in synthesizer sounds, since Holdsworth uses mostly guitar synthesizer and Beck uses synthesizer keyboards. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of the Holdsworth and Beck recording legacies, which although perhaps less celebrated, is definitely worth being discovered and deserves an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

Updated: 05/09/2026Posted: 04/06/2025

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GORDON BECK ~ DREAMS JMS 049 (Barcode: 3129675004926) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1989 Released: 1989 This is an album by British keyboardist / composer Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the great heroes of the British Jazz scene since the early 1960s. It is essentially a solo keyboards album, except for a few vocal contributions on four tracks by the American vocalist Rowanne MarkFind albums by this artist. The album presents seven original compositions by Beck, with the title tracks being a two-part mini suite. Beck plays piano and a plethora of different synthesizers and even a drum machine. The album was recorded in the USA and was produced by Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist. Starting in the late 1970s Beck recorded many albums for the French OwlFind albums on this label and JMSFind albums on this label labels, several of with involved Holdsworth and other notable British and French Jazz musicians. This album presents the more romantic / lyrical side of his musical persona, as well as his amazing technique and composing depth. The music is all melody based, and the wonderfully crafted compositions are ideal vehicles for Beck to spread his wings as a performer, although his recording legacy shows him as being a brilliant accompanist as well. Overall, this is a wonderful piece of the Gordon Beck puzzle, which although perhaps less celebrated, is definitely worth being discovered and deserves an honorable place in every serious British Jazz collection.

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

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PAOLO FRESU / FURIO DI CASTRI ~ EVENING SONG OWL 065 (Barcode: 018538006524) ~ ITALY ~ Jazz Recorded: 1991 Released: 1991 This is a beautiful duo album by Italian Jazz musicians: trumpeter / composer Paolo FresuFind albums by this artist and bassist / composer Furio Di CastriFind albums by this artist. Three guest musicians participate on two tracks. The album presents fourteen tracks, twelve of which are original compositions by the two musicians (individually and collectively) and two are standards. The music is a series of intimate duets, which truly belong to the “Art of the Duo” category, with the musicians cooperating naturally and with obvious respect toward each other. Some electronic effects are utilized, but the trumpet / bass duo feels perfectly sufficient and is able to create music which stands fully on its own. Fresu is of course well known for his beautifully romantic and melodic tone, and all of his recordings are ultimate musical experiences. Di Castri is one of top Italian bassist, appearing on endless recordings and cooperated with Fresu for many years in various settings. Overall, this is a beautiful album, which offers a very rare trumpet / bass duo, full of sublime melodies and truly virtuosic performances, in the best tradition of the Italian Jazz aesthetics.

Updated: 27/10/2026Posted: 27/10/2026

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PAUL BLEY ~ HOMAGE TO CARLA OWL 072 (Barcode: 044001342721) ~ CANADA ~ Jazz Recorded: 1992 Released: 2001 This is a reissue / remaster of a solo piano album by the legendary Canadian Jazz pianist / composer Paul BleyFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is a tribute to the musical genius of his ex-wife, the great pianist / composer / bandleader Carla BleyFind albums by this artist and presents eleven tracks, which are all his interpretations of her compositions. Paul and Carla were amongst the most important pioneers of the Free Jazz / Improvised Music in the US since the late 1950s. They married in 1957 and divorced in 1967, with Paul, who recognized her talent, encouraging her to compose, which resulted in a long stream of amazing compositional works, which ranged from solo piano pieces to Big Band works. She died in 2023, leaving an enormous legacy of wonderful compositions and a long list of superb albums. Her compositions were recorded by many Jazz musicians, including of course Paul Bley himself. Paul died in 2018. Despite Carla’s early connections with the Avant-Garde, her compositions were always highly idiosyncratic, minimalist and deeply melodic, especially her marvelous early compositions. Paul’s brilliant interpretations amazingly combine both the deeply melodic character of her music and the musical Freedom, which underlays them. The resulting album is a truly amazing piece of music. Overall, this is a loving tribute to the great talent of Carla Bley, performed by her ex-husband, who discovered her talent and encouraged her to start composing. This is one of my personal all-time favorite solo piano Jazz recordings and an absolute must have in any decent Jazz music collection!

Updated: 30/10/2026Posted: 30/10/2026

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DAVID CROSBY / SHAWN COLVIN ~ A PLACE FOR INNOCENCE – SAUSALITO `93 TWO OWLS 007 (Barcode: 796520761582) ~ USA ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1993 Released: 2023 This is a live album by legendary American singer / songwriter David CrosbyFind albums by this artist, who is accompanied by guitarist Jeff PevarFind albums by this artist, and singer / songwriter Shawn ColvinFind albums by this artist, at the time a relatively little known artist. Both singers also accompany themselves on guitar. The album presents eleven tracks, six by Crosby and five by Colvin (with Crosby singing along on two). Despite the fact that the album is classified as “unofficial”, the sound quality is close to perfect. Crosby was a giant performer and songwriter, and although I have been lucky to hear him perform many times, he is probably one of those Artists I miss the most, knowing they are sadly gone. This is probably the reason why every piece of recording, which features Crosby, is a must in my record collection, this one included. Overall, this is another small piece of recorded history, which preserves the magic of David Crosby forever, again proving how unique and bigger than life he really was. Perhaps only for diehard Crosby followers, like myself, but I love this to bits!

Updated: 27/07/2026Posted: 27/07/2026

CD 1 Digisleeve Recommend To A Friend