Record Reviews

MIKE COOPER ~ OH REALLY?! / DO I KNOW YOU? / TROUT STEEL / PLACES I KNOW / THE MACHINE GUN CO. BGO 1371 (Barcode: 5017261213716) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Blues Fusion Recorded: 1968 - 1972 Released: 2019 This is a reissue of the first five albums by the British guitarist / vocalist / songwriter Mike CooperFind albums by this artist. The first album was originally released on PyeFind albums on this label Records and the other four on the subsidiary DawnFind albums on this label Records. This remastered edition adds also three bonus tracks released originally on singles. The first two albums present Cooper playing Blues / Folk / Country oriented material, mostly self-penned, on which he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar. On the second album he was joined by the legendary bassist Harry MillerFind albums by this artist and a female vocalist on a few tracks. However, on the next three albums – the last two of which were recorded during the same session and were intended initially to be released as a double album – he is joined by a dreamy team of the crème de la crème of British Jazz musicians at the time, which includes arranger Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Geoff HawkinsFind albums by this artist, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, pianist John TaylorFind albums by this artist, bassists Roy BabbingtonFind albums by this artist and Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummer Alan JacksonFind albums by this artist, vocal Diva Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and many others, a truly unprecedented gathering. Those albums are dominated by Cooper´s idiosyncratic songwriting, guitar playing and singing, and still deeply rooted in the Blues, but the instrumental parts offer some blood-curdling goodies, which no British Jazz fan wants to miss. Considering how obscure and impossible to find these albums are this monumental reissue is a true godsend, done in the best tradition of BGOFind albums on this label Records´ mission to unearth music that should be given another chance. Absolutely not to be missed!

Updated: 02/09/2020Posted: 01/09/2020

CD 3 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ RIGHT NOW! / THAT`S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR / CLOSING THE GAP BGO 1533 (Barcode: 5017261215338) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion Recorded: 1978 - 1980 Released: 2024 This is a reissue / remaster 2CD album by British vocalist / organist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, my favorite British vocalist of all time. It includes Fame’s three UK albums released originally on the PyeFind albums on this label label, all recorded between 1978 and 1980. This album offers an excellent sound quality thanks to the careful remastering. Fame, who managed to develop a stellar career very early in his life, made a consistent transformation from a Pop and Rhythm And Blues artists into a full-fledged Jazz artist later on in his career and recorded an astonishing legacy of superb albums over the years. These tracks clearly show the direction and the strong Jazz influence which was a part of his music from the very start, and are a wonderful trip down the memory lane. Fame was always a sublime songweaver and his original material sounds today every bit as strong as it did almost sixty years ago. He was also a very gifted organist and his organ solos were a part of his irresistible charm. On the first two albums, which present mostly original songs by Fame, he is supported by a fabulous team of British Jazz musicians, which include bassist Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, trombonist Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and others. On the third album, which was a rather unusual attempt to embrace Reggae elements, he is accompanied by the Reggae Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which was an ensemble of local Reggae musicians. Overall, this is a superb collection of early and sadly almost completely forgotten Georgie Fame recordings, which sounds as good as it did almost half a Century ago. Fame’s unique vocals, Jazzy phrasing and incredible melodic sensibilities managed to create an enchanting sound, which to this day remains unbeaten by any of his successors.

Updated: 10/12/2024Posted: 10/12/2024

CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

DONOVAN ~ BREEZES OF PATCHOULI – HIS STUDIO RECORDINGS: 1966-1969 PARLOPHONE 5099992860520 (Barcode: 5099992860520) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock Recorded: 1966 - 1969 Released: 2013 This marvelous Box Set collects all the studio recordings by the great British troubadour DonovanFind albums by this artist, recorded during his explosive years, which changed the shape of Pop and Rock music as we know it. It includes the five extraordinary studio albums: "Sunshine SupermanFind albums with this title", "Mellow YellowFind albums with this title", "The Hurdy Gurdy ManFind albums with this title", "BarabajagalFind albums with this title" and finally "A Gift From A Flower To A GardenFind albums with this title" which was originally a double LP. All these albums were released by EpicFind albums on this label in the USA and PyeFind albums on this label in UK, often out of sync and with different track lists, as a result of the usual music business BS that prevailed at the time. These albums feature all original songs written by Donovan and were produced by the British producer Mickie MostFind albums by this artist. Some of the arrangements were written by the great John CameronFind albums by this artist and the list of supporting musicians reads like a who´s who of the British Jazz and Rock scene at the time: pianist John Cameron, flautist Harold McNairFind albums by this artist, guitarists Jeff BeckFind albums by this artist and Jimmy PageFind albums by this artist, bassist Danny ThompsonFind albums by this artist, John Paul JonesFind albums by this artist and Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, drummers Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist and Tony CarrFind albums by this artist and many others. In addition to the five original albums on three CDs, this set includes a fourth CD full of bonus material, which wonderfully fills in and expands the picture of Donovan´s creativity. A well researched booklet with overview of Donovan´s career during those years is also included. Donovan´s brilliant mixture of Celtic roots, Psychedelia, Jazz and Rock, spiced with his incredibly poetic lyrics, was an absolutely unique phenomenon in the Pop / Rock history and no other artist managed to create such a massive body of brilliant songs within such short period of time. His music is as much relevant today as it was at the time it was created and lost nothing of its beauty, vitality or artistic power over time. They certainly don´t make music like that any more! The only regret, as far as this Box Set is concerned, is the fact that it does not include the brilliant live album "In Concert (The Complete 1967 Anaheim Show)Find albums with this title", which would have made this set even more perfect. This is an absolutely essential piece of music history, which deserves an honorable place in any serious music collection!

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 08/11/2016

CD 4 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

KINKS ~ LOLA VERSUS POWERMAN AND THE MONEYGOROUND / PERCY (DELUXE EDITION) SANCTUARY 888430895928 (Barcode: 888430895928) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2014 This is a reissue of the eighth and last great album by the British Pop / Rock legends The KinksFind albums by this artist, formed and led by brothers Ray DaviesFind albums by this artist and Dave DaviesFind albums by this artist. For this reissue it is coupled with the next, ninth album, which was a soundtrack of the movie of the same name. Placing the two albums together into one package makes perfect sense, as they were recorded only a couple of months apart and stylistically present almost inseparable musical ideas. As all the Deluxe editions, this one also includes a plethora of bonus material, most of it previously unreleased. These were the last two albums The Kinks recorded for the PyeFind albums on this label Records label and for their next album, the true swan song called "Muswell HillbilliesFind albums with this title", they´d switch to RCAFind albums on this label Records. Even if The Kinks were already past their creative apex at the time this music was recorded, they were still one of the best Pop / Rock bands and songwriting talents on the British scene and this music lost nothing of its quality and vitality over time. The songs from this album, which were released as singles, remain in the collective memory of the 1960s / 1970s generation as an integral part of its life´s soundtrack, your humble scribe included. For The Kinks enthusiasts this is an absolute must, for others, who still appreciate great music created before the collapse of Culture, definitely something worth investigating and remembering. This is a nice remaster and archival piece of history of the music that is no more.

Updated: 29/01/2019Posted:

CD 2 Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend