Record Reviews

GRAHAM COLLIER ~ DOWN ANOTHER ROAD / SONGS FOR MY FATHER / MOSAICS BGO 767 (Barcode: 5017261207678) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2007 Composer / arranger / bandleader / bassist Graham CollierFind albums by this artist is one of the Godfathers of modern British Jazz, and his contribution to the genre as a musician, educator and writer are monumental. Although initially schooled in the US (Collier was the first student from the UK to be awarded a scholarship at the Berklee School of Music in Boston in the 1960s), he was in fact one of the pioneers of the European Jazz, accepting the American Jazz tradition as a basis for further development and exploration based on the European cultural heritage. His innovative approach as a composer and arranger were immensely influential not only on the local British scene, but also throughout the entire Europe, especially his usage of irregular meters and time signatures. Over the years Collier composed and recorded a colossal body of work, which includes some of the greatest music of the 20th Century. This album collects the three albums Collier recorded for the FontanaFind albums on this label / PhilipsFind albums on this label labels in 1969 / 1970, following his debut recording on DeramFind albums on this label from 1967. He composed all the music presented here (except one tune) and plays bass (something he was to abandon in the future) and the lineups of the three ensembles include some of the greatest players on the British scene at the time: Harry BeckettFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Alan WakemanFind albums by this artist, Bob SydorFind albums by this artist, Tony RobertsFind albums by this artist (saxophone), Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist (oboe), Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, Derek WadsworthFind albums by this artist (trombone), Philip LeeFind albums by this artist (guitar), John TaylorFind albums by this artist, Geoff CastleFind albums by this artist (piano) and John MarshallFind albums by this artist, John WebbFind albums by this artist (drums). Many of these players were to become future leaders of course, as Collier’s ensembles served as an excellent breeding ground for young players, similar to what happened on the Blues scene with John MayallFind albums by this artist’s ensembles. Collier is often called the Charles MingusFind albums by this artist of European Jazz, and the parallels are obvious. The music is of course absolutely stunning, from start to finish, and brilliantly performed. Every moment on this album is just right, brilliant and timeless, which makes it not only a perfect document of the era, but also a piece of music that retains its intrinsic values forever. Absolutely essential!

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GRAHAM COLLIER ~ DOWN ANOTHER ROAD @ STOCKHOLM JAZZ DAYS `69 MY ONLY DESIRE 005 (Barcode: 5052442022411) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1969 Released: 2023 This is an archival live album by British Jazz bassist / composer / bandleader / educator Graham CollierFind albums by this artist, recorded by the Swedish Radio on August 24, 1969, which presents Collier’s sextet with trumpeter Harry BecketFind albums by this artist, trombonist Nick EvansFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Stan SulzmannFind albums by this artist, pianist / oboist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist and drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist. The album presents six original compositions, five by Collier and one by Jenkins, five of which appear on the album “Down Another RoadFind albums with this title”, released a few months earlier. The remaining composition (“Burblings For Bob”) makes here its only appearance on record. The album includes informative liner notes by Collier’s biographer Duncan HeiningFind albums by this artist. Although this was only the second album by Collier, his stylistic direction was already firmly set and represented the new British Jazz, which developed quite independently form the American Jazz tradition. Collier was one of the pioneers of the new direction, which embraced ensemble approach, Free Improvisation in parallel to clearly defined melodic themes, advanced polyrhythmic drumming and some World Music influences. This live recording is quite different in many aspects from the studio recording, and as such is of course invaluable. And of course hearing Graham’s voice introducing the tunes touches many personal memories. The sound quality is excellent and the cooperation between Jon GriffithsFind albums by this artist, My Only DesireFind albums on this label label owner, and the Swedish Radio, is a blessing and offers the British Jazz fans already the third album of previously unheard material, which is absolutely fabulous. Hopefully more such releases will follow suit. A small personal note: one of the tracks present here, called “Aberdeen Angus”, is also present on the Graham Collier’s album “Adam`s MarbleFind albums with this title”, which I released on my JazzisFind albums on this label Records label in 1995, and which is completely different from the version presented here. Overall, this is a superb historical document of the British Jazz scene and an excellent example of some of the most brilliant music created in Britain by the end of the 1960s, which was a true age of discovery and explosive development. Absolutely essential to all British Jazz enthusiasts and record collectors.

Updated: 10/03/2023Posted: 10/03/2023

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