Record Reviews

STAN TRACEY ~ WISDOM IN THE WINGS (FREE AN` ONE / THE SEVEN AGES OF MAN) RESTEAMED 114 (Barcode: 5060138617148) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2020 This is a reissue of two seminal albums by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist: “Free An` OneFind albums with this title” and “The Seven Ages Of ManFind albums with this title”, coupled together as a 2CD set. The first album is a quartet recording with Tracey, saxophonist Peter KingFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Bryan SpringFind albums by this artist and presents five original compositions by the leader. The second album was recorded by a sixteen-piece Big Band, which included some of the top British Jazz musicians at the time, such as trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, trombonists Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Peter King, Tony CoeFind albums by this artist and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, the rhythm section from the quartet and others and presents eight original compositions by the leader, also arranged by him. Both albums were recorded in late 1969 (September 10 and October 8 respectively) and released the following year on the EMI / ColumbiaFind albums on this label label. The quartet album is a brilliant example of Tracey’s openness towards the “new winds” that were stirring up the British Jazz scene, with strong Avant-Gardist / Free Jazz influences ventilating the scene. In complete contrast to many of his veteran contemporaries, Tracey had no problem whatsoever with these trends and flirted with them openly, as long as he was either enjoying or in control, as many of his recordings, like those with Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist or Keith TippettFind albums by this artist, clearly show. This quartet was not playing Free as such, but fiery improvisations and less strict rhythmic patterns are clearly audible, and the general carefree atmosphere testifies. The Big Band album is a complete different pair of galoshes, with Tracey showing off his genius as composer / arranger / Big Band leader, which always way one of his undeniable fortes (not that he had any weaknesses as a musician that I am aware of). The compositions are simply brilliant, the arrangements unique and the Big Band, exploding with talent, is riding the wind, soaring like there is no tomorrow. Considering the fact that this album was recorded in one day, it is truly amazing that the Big Band performs all these complex arrangements with awe-inspiring ease and elegance. Overall, these are two absolute British Jazz treasures, and their absence from the record market was a travesty. We should be grateful to Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist (Stan’s son) for bringing them back to life on the family’s ReSteamedFind albums on this label label, hopefully seeing more of these gems getting the same treatment soon. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 18/08/2021Posted: 14/08/2021

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STAN TRACEY ~ FROM STAN, WITH LOVE (WITH LOVE FROM JAZZ / WE LOVE YOU MADLY) RESTEAMED 115 (Barcode: 5060138617155) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1967 - 1968 Released: 2021 This is a reissue of two seminal albums by the iconic British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist: “With Love From JazzFind albums with this title” and “We Love You MadlyFind albums with this title”, coupled together as a 2CD set. The first album is a quartet recording with Tracey, saxophonist Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Dave GreenFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist (Lennie BushFind albums by this artist and Ronnie StephensonFind albums by this artist replace Green and Dougan on the last track) and presents eight original compositions by the leader. The second album was recorded by an eighteen-piece Big Band (called Big Brass), which included some of the top British Jazz musicians at the time, such as trumpeters Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, Kenny BakerFind albums by this artist and Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Joe HarriottFind albums by this artist, Don RendellFind albums by this artist, and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist, clarinetist Acker BilkFind albums by this artist, Tracey on piano, Bush on bass and drummer Barry MorganFind albums by this artist. As the title suggests, the album is dedicated to American pianist / composer / bandleader Duke EllingtonFind albums by this artist and presents six compositions by him, one by Billy StrayhornFind albums by this artist and one by Tracey, all also arranged by him. The first album was recorded October12 and 31, 1967 and the second August 20 and 21, 1968 and released a year later (respectively) on the EMI / ColumbiaFind albums on this label label. The first album is a wonderful example of Tracey’s quartet work, based on his idiosyncratic compositions, often truly romantic in nature, which defined his style characterized by his singular chord vamping. This was the last recording with Wellins, who was replaced on future albums by Peter KingFind albums by this artist. Tracey and Wellins has a telepathic communication between them and played like musical twins, which of course is audible here as well. The last track is a surprising excursion into African rhythms, which finds Tracey playing the vibraphone. The Big Band album is a complete different cup of tea, with Tracey showing off his genius as arranger / Big Band leader, which always were his undeniable passions in addition to his composing and playing the piano. His love and respect to Ellington the composer is plainly apparent and his arrangements are highly unusual, almost diametrically different from the original Ellington recordings, which of course is a brilliant lesson in the differences between the American and British / European approach to using the Big Band as a musical tool. The original composition closing the album is a proverbial cherry on top of course. Personally this is one of my most loved Tracey recordings, but hey I love them all of course. Overall, these are two absolute British Jazz treasures, and their absence from the record market was a travesty. We should be grateful to Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist (Stan’s son) for bringing them back to life on the family’s ReSteamedFind albums on this label label, hopefully seeing more of these gems getting the same treatment soon. Absolutely essential!

Updated: 18/08/2021Posted: 18/08/2021

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STAN TRACEY ~ THE 1959 SESSIONS RESTEAMED 116 (Barcode: 5060138617162) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1959 Released: 2022 This is a sensational archival album by one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz, pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. It presents eight previously unreleased tracks recorded in June 1959 at the Decca studios and intended to be released as a follow-up album to Tracey’s second album as a leader “Little KlunkFind albums with this title”, released in early 1959, but strangely forgotten. The tracks were recorded by two trios, both with Kenny NapperFind albums by this artist on bass, and with drummer Tony CrombieFind albums by this artist on the first four tracks, which are standards, and drummer Phil SeamenFind albums by this artist on the next four tracks, which are original compositions by Tracey. The recording quality of all the tracks is absolutely perfect, which of course adds to the joy. The music is as brilliant as one might expect, with Tracey and the lads having obviously great fun and playing their hearts out. Clearly the tracks with Seamen are much more exciting and modernist, with his brilliant drumming technique, way ahead of its time, dominating the proceedings, as appropriate for his legendary status. Tracey demonstrates the early exposure of his idiosyncratic approach to Jazz piano playing, with the typical attack on the keyboard and a barrage of single notes, rather than playing chords, perhaps influenced by the fact that he also played the vibraphone, which can be heard here on one track. Overall, this is another superb addition to the Stan Tracey discography, thanks to his son Clark TraceyFind albums by this artist and the ReSteamedFind albums on this label Records label, which is doing a great job keeping the memory and music alive. This is an absolute must to all Tracey followers and thanks for bringing this music to our lives!

Updated: 06/01/2023Posted: 06/01/2023

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STAN TRACEY ~ UNDER MILK WOOD IN HAMBURG RESTEAMED 117 (Barcode: 5060138617209) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1966 Released: 2022 This is a truly sensational archive release of an album by one of Godfathers of the modern British Jazz, pianist / composer / bandleader Stan TraceyFind albums by this artist. In 1965 Tracey released the iconic “Under Milk WoodFind albums with this title” album, which presented a Jazz suite based on the play for voices of the same name, by Welsh poet Dylan ThomasFind albums by this artist. Tracey’s original album was recorded by his quartet, which included saxophonist Bobby WellinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist and drummer Jackie DouganFind albums by this artist. A few months after the release of the album, which achieved instantaneous recognition as a masterpiece, in March 1966, Tracey was invited by the German NDR network to record a radio broadcast, for which he extended his quartet into a quintet, adding the great ex-Canadian trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. The broadcast was recorded, but remained unreleased on record until now. The recording sound quality is beyond perfection as is the performance by the quintet. It includes a short spoken introduction by Tracey. “Under Milk Wood” is undoubtedly one of the most groundbreaking modern European Jazz recordings, presenting the innovations of the British Jazz, which are audible only so subtly here, but already clearly distinguishing this music from the American Jazz tradition. Tracey was about to push the boundaries of British Jazz in the next decades, remaining a head figure of the local scene, highly respected by his peers. His idiosyncratic way of playing the piano made him instantly recognizable in any setting and completely unique to this very day. It is fascinating to compare the original quartet recording with this quintet version, which allows the full impact of Wheeler on the music to be hear perfectly clearly. Therefore, this version sound even more advanced and revolutionary than the original, as Wheeler adventurous spirit is exposed here in full as well as his uniquely brilliant trumpet / flugelhorn technique. Overall, this album is one of the most sensational discoveries in recorded British Jazz history and the fact that is remained hidden for almost six decades and is now available, sounding as if recorded here and now is a bloody miracle. Needless to say, it is an absolute must in any serious British Jazz record collection.

Updated: 21/12/2022Posted: 20/12/2022

CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend