Record Reviews

MIKE OSBORNE ~ OUTBACK FMR 007 (Barcode: 649849981349) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 Released: 1994 British saxophonist / composer Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist was an integral part of the modern Jazz scene in the late 1960s / 1970s, recording numerous albums as member of the most important ensembles at the time, led by Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist and Chris McGregorFind albums by this artist (Brotherhood Of BreathFind albums by this artist). He was also the founding member of the momentous saxophone trio SOSFind albums by this artist with John Surman and Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist. A brilliant improviser, he was an absolute master of the alto saxophone with very few contenders. Stylistically Osborne tendencies were always oriented towards Free Jazz and he was one of the great pioneers of the genre in UK. Unfortunately his personal life was deeply disturbed by mental illness, which resulted in time spent on and off in mental institutions. By early 1980s the illness became so severe that he had to be institutionalized for life and never again played music. He died in 2007. Although Osborne recorded quite a few albums as a sideman, his output as leader is very limited. This was his debut session as a leader, which took a lot of persuasion to materialize, as Osborne hated to be in the limelight. Released on the legendary TurtleFind albums on this label label (the first album to be recorded for the label, which was actually started to release this album), the album was a rare collector’s item for many years and the reissue is a blessing. The music consists of just two long tracks (which used to be the LP sides), performed by a quintet with Osborne on alto saxophone, Harry Beckett on trumpet, Chris McGregor on piano, Harry MillerFind albums by this artist on bass and Louis MoholoFind albums by this artist on drums (the rhythm section of Brotherhood Of Breath). On both tracks the quintet states the theme and then ventures into extended free improvisation passages, with splendid long solos by Osborne and Beckett. The album is a classic example of European Free Jazz, capturing the atmosphere of the era, when music was created because musicians had something to say. Not easy music, but essential to all enthusiasts of the genre and a most important historical document. Visitors' Comments Christopher  Brice Odd that the CD cover itself credits "Mike Osbourne" so I had trouble looking up the recording date here (Wikipedia redirects Mike Osbourne to Mike Osborne)

Updated: 20/05/2016Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JOHN TAYLOR ~ PAUSE, AND THINK AGAIN FMR 024 (Barcode: 786497181421) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1995 British pianist / composer John TaylorFind albums by this artist was an integral part of the British modern Jazz revolution in the late 1960s / 1970s and continues to be a dominant figure on the British scene to this day. He was a member of the John SurmanFind albums by this artist’s group and his immense contributions to Surman’s early recordings earned him respect and admiration among his peers and music lovers. He was also a member of Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist’s group and appears on the first 3 albums Beckett recorded as well as on early albums by Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist, German guitarist Volker KriegelFind albums by this artist and many more. Taylor’s brilliant technique and wonderful feel for modern Jazz make him an model for a modern Jazz hero and his incredible work over the years firmly confirms the high hopes he promised during the early days of his career. This album is Taylor’s debut recording as a leader and focuses on his abilities as a composer. Produced by Surman, it was originally released on the legendary TurtleFind albums on this label label. The album was recorded by a sextet, which includes Taylor on piano with Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Chris PyneFind albums by this artist on trombone, Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist on alto saxophone, Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist on bass and Tony LevinFind albums by this artist on drums. Surman guests on soprano saxophone as does the divine Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, who contributes one vocal track with her lyrics. The music, all written by Taylor, is absolutely amazing. Not only in its melodic and rhythmic structures, but also being amazingly diverse stylistically. Although there are five tracks on the album, two of them are in fact “double treats”, combining two different compositions, resulting in seven original compositions written for this album. Taylor cleverly uses the entire palette of modern Jazz, with the composition ranging is style from serenely melodic to frantically and freely improvised. Of the seven compositions, only one is a piano trio and the rest all feature one of the musicians as a soloist. Surman is featured on the free style piece and his solo there ranks amongst his finest ever. Winstone, as usual, adds her magical siren’s mysticism on the tune that closes the album. Of all the British modern Jazz albums recorded at the time, this one is perhaps the most “perfect” one, encompassing and representing the period and the music it created. All the elements of this enchanting music just come together here in a most sensitive way making the total rise above the sum of the ingredients. Not only do all the musicians play perfectly and the music is impeccable, but also the spirit of adventure and the drive to discovery are omnipresent. I can’t even begin to emphasize how important this album is and how vital it is for every modern Jazz enthusiast to savor and cherish. Beyond essential!

Updated: 20/05/2016Posted:

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

HOWARD RILEY ~ FLIGHT FMR 026 (Barcode: 786497181124) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1971 Released: 1995 British pianist / composer Howard RileyFind albums by this artist has been a pivotal figure of the modern British Jazz and later Improvised Music since the late 1960s. Completely unorthodox and original, his approach to music making is a complete innovative universe, in which he and some of his close collaborators created the next plane in the history of Jazz in particular and music in general. Although the European Avant-Garde exploded a few years later then the first wave of US Free Jazz pioneers like Ornette ColemanFind albums by this artist, Albert AylerFind albums by this artist, Eric DolphyFind albums by this artist and John ColtraneFind albums by this artist, it developed in a new direction rather than copying or following the path initiated by the US giants. As radical as the US Free Jazz might have appeared at the time, it was after all deeply rooted in the Jazz tradition and in many respects developed as an extension of Bebop. The Europeans, most of them in their twenties when they initiated the European Free Improvisation school, had little, if any, experience playing Bebop and the new direction was developed spontaneously rather than consciously (or sub consciously). The social upheaval and general anti-establishment wave that swept Europe in the late 1960s might have served as a psychological background for these musical developments, as the quest for freedom of expression and rebellion against established musical forms was the central motif of the European Free Improvisation movement. Young European musicians in Britain, Germany, France, Netherlands and even behind the Iron Curtain (Poland, East Germany) decided to take a bold step towards exploration of a new musical universe, unbound by any preconceptions and limitations - harmonic, rhythmic or otherwise. The movement started in the late 1960s but only truly crystallized by the early 1970s, and this album is certainly one of the first focal point of European Free Improvisation. It was Riley’s fourth solo album following his daring debut DiscussionsFind albums with this title from 1967 and two trio albums recorded for CBSFind albums on this label (AngleFind albums with this title & The Day Will ComeFind albums with this title). Exceptionally gifted bassist Barry GuyFind albums by this artist, who was a member of Riley’s trio from the very beginning, took part in all the recordings, and would be his partner for many years to come. However, the decisive factor and the catalyst, which turned this recording into a momentous leap forward was the participation of one of Europe’s most inventive and original drummers – Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist. The resulting trio – Riley / Guy / Oxley – turned out to be an unstoppable musical hurricane of exploration and spontaneous invention beyond anything previously encountered. The album starts with a furious barrage of a 20 minutes long collective improvisation, which moves between trio, duo and solo performances of immense intensity and complexity. Some incredible sounds are extracted from the respective instruments, creating an incredible collage of sonic expressions. In complete contrast, the second part of the album is a complete anti-climax, with the trio performing some contemplative music, quiet and delicate and at times almost lyrical, as on the two ballads. Make no mistakes here – this is not a return to mainstream Jazz. These quiet pieces are as free and improvised as they come, but the fury of expression is subdued here and replaced by the balance between sound and silence, interplay and caressing the instruments. Overall this is a monster album, revolutionary, innovative and groundbreaking. Released originally on the legendary TurtleFind albums on this label label, this reissue finally brings this musical treasure back to life, for all the people who never had the opportunity to hear it at the time. Although Riley would prove to be very prolific and record many exceptional albums in the future, this one is especially dear to my heart, as it opened windows nobody previously knew existed. A musical Magnum Opus, beyond essential!

Updated: 12/04/2019Posted:

CD 1 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend

VARIOUS ARTISTS ~ TURTLE RECORDS: PIONEERING BRITISH JAZZ 1970-1971 RPM 528 (Barcode: 5013929552807) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2015 This is a phenomenal Box Set including the reissues of all three albums released by the legendary British TurtleFind albums on this label label, owned by producer Peter EdenFind albums by this artist, who besides owning the label was also responsible for producing a long list of revolutionary British Jazz albums, which are all classics today and which document the extraordinary explosion of creativity and talent that transformed British Jazz into a new idiom, emancipated from the American Jazz tradition, proudly stepping into a new dimension, which spread rapidly to the European Continent giving birth to European Jazz. Eden´s productions included albums by such pioneering Jazz musicians like Mike WestbrookFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist, Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist and others, as well as no less pioneering Rock / Prog musicians. Most of his productions were originally released on the DawnFind albums on this label and DeramFind albums on this label labels. The three albums included in this Box Set are: "OutbackFind albums with this title" by Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist, "FlightFind albums with this title" by Howard RileyFind albums by this artist and "Pause, And Think AgainFind albums with this title" by John Taylor.Find albums by this artist To read the reviews of these albums please click on their titles. The set also includes a fabulous book "The Turtle Records Story" by Colin HarperFind albums by this artist, which is an excellently written and researched account of Eden´s activity at the time, and which includes may interviews with musicians involved and photographs taken at the time, in short a superb piece of British Jazz history. This is a splendid example of what writing about music is all about. I can hardly imagine a more important document of the pivotal period of the British Jazz than this Box Set. The music is still shockingly expressive, losing nothing of its power and farsightedness over time, the production is exemplary and the listening experience exhilarating. Anybody interested in Jazz who does not own the original LPs should of course get this Box Set ASAP, since not knowing this music is simply criminal. Unless of course someone prefers to listen to the insanely boring American mainstream…

Updated: 26/01/2019Posted: 20/05/2016

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

GORDON BECK ~ JUBILATION!: TRIOS, QUARTETS, AND SEPTETS IN SESSION 1964-1984 TURTLE 501 (Barcode: 5013929580107) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1964 - 1984 Released: 2018 This is an archival release collecting live recordings made by various ensembles led by the seminal British Jazz pianist / composer / bandleader Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures of the revolutionary British Jazz movement of the 1960s, who died in 2011. The recordings present Beck in different settings, from solo piano to a septet, spanning two crucial decades in which Beck and the entire British Jazz scene metamorphosed from a copycat of American Jazz to a bold, adventurous and pioneering musical movement with its own values and aesthetics, leading the rest of Europe towards the same process of emancipation. On the recordings included in this release Beck is accompanied by the crème de la crème of the British Jazz heroes; bassists Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, Ron MathewsonFind albums by this artist and Mick HuttonFind albums by this artist, drummers Johnny ButtsFind albums by this artist, Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist and Steve ArguellesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Frank RicottiFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist and Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, trombonist Chris PyneFind albums by this artist and trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist. Of the twenty eight pieces performed, only three are standards and the rest are original compositions by Beck. The music moves in a multidimensional space-time continuum, between traditional American Jazz and modern European Jazz, between standards and original compositions and between solo piano and ensemble playing, but always beautifully focused on Beck´s superb feel of melody and rhythm and his exquisite perception of harmony. The trio recordings, which open the first of the three CDs included in this Box Set, present a transition, which presents the quantum jumps separated from each other by two years gaps (1964-1966-1968), by which Beck and the trio move from a Bill EvansFind albums by this artist inspired swing perfection to a much more open, almost free playing, emphasized mostly by the change of the drummer from Butts to Oxley, one of the most important Jazz drummers of all time. By the mid 1970s the trio will be brought to perfection with the inclusion of Mathewson, and rechristened to MOBFind albums by this artist (Mathewson / Oxley / Beck) which can be heard on the second CD. The septet recordings, which take the rest of the first CD, are rather atypical in Beck´s career, as he preferred small ensembles, show Beck´s arranging skills, which he was able to perfect as the resident composer / arranger for the Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist´s all-star band, which included six of the seven members of the septet (John SurmanFind albums by this artist is the missing one). The latest (chronologically) recordings present a quintet session, which is led by the mature musician Beck has become in the meantime, are presented on the third CD. Beck´s solo material is presented on the second and third CDs. Overall the Box Set is full of magnificent music, diverse stylistically, but always perfectly executed, which presents a portrait of a great Artist. Considering that all these recordings are previously unreleased, this in an absolute treasure chest and a historic document of the outmost importance. All the recordings were beautifully remastered and offer a first class listening experience. The Box Set, which was released by the reanimated TurtleFind albums on this label Records, includes an extensive booklet written by Simon SpillettFind albums by this artist, which is intelligent, informative and well researched, a true model for what all releases of this kind should offer those who buy the product. Absolutely essential to all British / European Jazz connoisseurs!

Updated: 16/02/2019Posted: 15/02/2019

CD 3 Mini-Sleeve Box Set Remastered Essential 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