Another local (Devon) release G.H.H were a lounge band with pretensions of Blood Sweat & Tears. Perhaps not the best introduction, so allow me to lay the boot in a little further. The choice of covers on this LP in parts is enough to put a man off music. There is a light within this […]
Pressed in Belgium for export to Kenya. This Afro Mod / Jazz / R&B mongrel features bi-lingual vocals from Tanzanian Sal Davis. The sound is gritty, near on filthy and tough to resist. This 45 has been recently re-issued by counterpoint on a limited run. (Thanks ‘A’ for bringing this one home.) “Makini” [audio:sal_davis_makini.mp3]
This LP comes over as an amalgam of hard bop and swing, The playing is quite exceptional from the Scandinavian sidemen. “Conversation Part III” [audio:converstations_pt3.mp3]
I found this LP a few years ago and at the time did upload a pic and sound clip to the board in the hope someone might be able to shed some light on it and did a bunch of other attempts to discover more. Since then, attempting to gain further information on the recording […]
This is a Christmas EP sampler from the RA label featuring a rather out of place cut (We Three Kings by Indiana Highway) There is a crudity in terms of recording and even some timing slips which for me at least only add to the sound. I have the other Indiana Highway EP which is […]
Comprising of Dm, Harry South, Phil Bates, and Phil Seamen the quartet are certainly tight having worked together for three years at the point of this release. This is quite possibly my favorite Morrissey LP. The track for inclusion here is the title cut penned by Harry South. [audio:Dick_Morrissey_Storm_Warning.mp3]
Garrick joins the band and composes some of the cuts on Dusk fire, arguably the quintets best release?? [audio:don_rendell_PRAYER.mp3]
A great late night listen with very proficient musicianship. Their version of Scarborough fair is really one of my favourites. [audio:LJIV_Scarborough_Fair.mp3]
Comped by Peterson, known by many, inspired by Dylan Thomas – I need to include the track Starless and Bible Black in this chart for the simple reason it is one of the most emotive, and tragically deep British Jazz cuts I’m aware of. Bobby Wellins whispering treatment on tenor sax is simply spellbinding, Tracey’s […]
Not a straight Jazz LP the group draw on their various influences in this Jazz/Prog/Blues mongrel recording. As a whole the album works well with the Jazzier moments shining through on several numbers. The track included here is called. “Don’t Make Me Cry” [audio:TonTon Macoute_Dont_Make_Me_Cry.mp3]
Originally released in 68 as “Lady Heavy Bottom’s Waltz” on Vogue. A great LP featuring – Johnny Griffin, Benny Bailey, Ake Persson, Sahib Shihab, Francy Boland, Jimmy Woode, Kenny Clare, Kenny Clarke. Highly VG+ friendly with several Mod / Soul Jazz cuts and several boppy numbers. Known widely for the dance-floor track “Turks Bolero” featuring […]
Featuring Skidmore, John Taylor, Mike Osbourne and John Surman et al. This LP is made of lunacy I sold my previous copy of this and regretted not really giving it a fair chance, I’m pleased to have found another copy but I can see why I found difficulty with it. Predominantly the LP consists of […]
Looking at the cover it’s hard to understand how the baby faced Zbigniew managed to come up with this LP (Possibly the first Polish Jazz record recorded and released in the UK? He was also the oldest in the quartet). A recent bay purchase, I’ve been after a copy of this for quite some time. […]
Memorable for it’s cover (Which makes you pause and think “Did Wallace design this?”) as much as it’s contents. This LP can at times be a little too intellectual for my ears (Which are for the best part feral and emotive when it comes to jazz) nevertheless there are several tracks on this album that […]
Having won the Melody Maker best British Jazz Group poll in 67 the Rendell / Carr Quintet had gathered a reasonable following of fans despite the decline in popularity of jazz amongst music lovers as they continued to opt for other forms of experimental music. With the Summer of love upon them the Quintets response […]
The first of the Rendell / Carr quintet series, this LP features Colin Purbrook on keys (Garrick joined the quintet on Dusk fire) Overall a great LP but perhaps not quite as solid as Dusk Fire. Carr describes the aim of the LP in the sleeve notes stating. “What Don and I aimed at was […]
Patchy would be a kind description of this LP. The inclusion of Ardley’s Shades of Blue (Version of the title cut from the LP bellow) is what saves this album for me. “Shades of Blue” [audio:New_Jazz_Orch_Shades_of_Blue.mp3]
I’ve got myself lost in this LP more than once. Perhaps it’s a romantic thing but I do seem to conjure up a sense of sophistication when I listen to French jazz. It seems even the cover has a touch more panache than comparable releases. Soul of Africa is a very listenable spiritual outing, which […]
Featuring the Jef Gilson Big Band recorded at the Salle Gaveau concert hall (Hence the title) The track Modalite Pour Mimi is a swinging, piece that features some great blowing over a lovely rhythm. The whole band seem absorbed in this groove which sounds unmistakably French. There is also a vocal version of this on […]
Having converted to Catholicism James attempts here to explore the religious ecstasy of “Mass” though the medium of Jazz. Weather your into Jesus or not there is a strong argument for the influence Jesus and his Dads book have played in many forms of music throughout the ages. As you may have gathered from the […]
Another spiritual work out for James, this live LP was recorded at Orchestra Hall & Paradise Theatre, a venue which was apparently due for demolition a few months prior to this recording. The cover notes don’t elaborate on quite how the venue swerved the wrecking ball but I quite like the idea that jazz was […]
The first time I heard this 45 with it’s slick vocals and great horns I started to jones. Possibly one of my favourite jazz 45’s [audio:LeeStone_45.mp3]
This 45 Columbia version differs significantly from the Scat vocal / acoustic guitar led LP cut. One of my favorite Jazz 45’s that recently got crossed off the wants list. [audio:Rankin_45.mp3]
A decent hypnotic example of Ethio jazz. This track makes me want to a) Visit Ethiopia. B) Charm Snakes. [audio:Mulatu_45.mp3]
A very solid modal LP featuring Joe Harriott, Ian Carr et al. Following a lengthy search for a decent copy, I was fairly alarmed when this one turned up in a used pizza box! Somehow it made it to me without a mark, the vinyl un-played the cover smelling lightly of Margarita. Song by the […]