ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP – Going To The Rainbow (BASF – CRC 008/LP-1971)

Label: BASF – CRC 008

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: W. Germany / Released: 1971

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz

Recorded at the Cornet-Studios, Cologne on December 14/15, 1970.

Engineering Wolfgang Hirschmann

Produced by Klaus Lorenzen

Comes in a gatefold-sleeve

German Original Press. Red BASF labels.

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout, etched): A-0051 A-1 / CRC 008 A

Matrix / Runout (Side B runout, etched): A-0051 B-1 / CRC 008 B

A1 - Houndhouse Rock .................................................................................. 4:50

A2 - Sad Ballade ............................................................................................ 3:39

A3 - T.C.B.  ..................................................................................................... 9:45

B1 - Going To The Rainbow ......................................................................... 12:55

B2 - Racing It Down ....................................................................................... 6:55

Musicians:

Rolf Kühn – clarinet

John Surman – baritone saxophone, soprano saxophone, electric piano

Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone

Joachim Kühn – piano, organ

Chick Corea – electric piano

Peter Warren – bass

Tony Oxley – drums, percussion

THE ROLF KUHN JAZZGROUP: "Going To The Rainbow" (BASF Records – CRC 008 / Gatefold Jacket / Rarity). Original 1971 high quality German pressing. Great free Improvisation with spiritual undertones influenced by Miles Davis. One of Kühn's timeless recordings for which he got assisted by heavy weights like John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Chick Corea and Tony Oxley. Absolutely stunning free improv with an addictive rolling groove that really puts the funky cat out there. Highest recommendation.

(Tiliqua Rec.)

If you find it, buy this album!

JOHN SURMAN TRIO – Life In Altena (LP-1970- JG 018)

Label: JG-Records – JG 018

Format: Vinyl, LP / Country: Germany / Released: 1970

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz

Recorded live January 10, 1970, Altena, Germany

Photos – Jörg Rahmede (side 2), K. Klüter (side 1)

Engineer – Karlheinz Klüter

The author notes the album has been released with three different covers on two different labels.

Issued with three different sleeve designs: the first and second (plain red with a sticker) were limited editions with red labels printed in black; the third sleeve was red with white printing (black labels printed in silver).

A – side 1 ......................................................................................... 25:00

       a1 - Billie The Kid (Martin)

       a2 - Tallness (Surman)

       a3 - Dee Tune (Surman)

B – side 2 ......................................................................................... 18:30

       b1 - In Between (Surman)

       b2 - Spikenard (Phillips)

John Surman – baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet

Barre Phillips – bass

Stu Martin – drums, percussion

Ultra rare free jazz album from 1970 with John Surman, Barre Phillips and Stu Martin released on small private German label. This is the 2nd edition with blood red cover, labels are red. Exclusively issued for Germany / Limited Edition.

If you find it, buy this album!

THE MIKE WESTBROOK CONCERT BAND – Marching Song Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 (2LP-1969/2CD-1998)

Label: Deram – 844 853-2

Format: 2 × CD, Compilation / Country: UK / Released: 1998

Originally released in 1969 as two separate LPs: Deram SML 1047 and Deram SML 1048

Style: Big Band, Contemporary Jazz

Recording Dates: 31st March, 1st April, 10th April, 1969.

Engineer – Bill Price

Executive-Producer – Bernard Lee

Leader [Musical Director] – Eddie Harvey, John Surman, Mike Westbrook

Producer – Peter Eden

Amazing jazz masterpiece from 1969, originally released in two parts on Deram and presented here as a double- CD at a single price. Double album featuring Westbrook with Alan Skidmore, David Holdsworth, John Surman and a wild collection of brass-wielding legends. An anti-Vietnam piece that takes a remarkable journey from civilisation to war and its inevitable results. A powerful and evocative piece that features some excellent performances and magnificent solo-ing as the tension mounts...

101. Hooray! . . . 6:24

        trumpet solo: Dave Holdsworth

        alto solo: Mike Osborne

        crowd sounds: Bill Price

102. Landscape . . . 15:25

        flute solo: Bernie Living

        bass duet: Harry Miller, Barre Phillips

        sax duet: John Surman, Mike Osborne

103. Waltz (for Joanna) . . . 5:50

        soprano solo: John Surman

104. Landscape (II) . . . 0:39

105. Other World . . . 8:23

        trombone solo: Paul Rutherford

106. Marching Song . . . 11:30

        tenor saxes: Nisar Ahmad Khan, Alan Skidmore

Composed By – Mike Westbrook

201. Transition . . . 5:12

202. Home . . . 7:35

        trombone solo: Malcolm Griffiths

        bass duet: Harry Miller, Chris Lawrence

203. Rosie . . . 6:36

        trumpet solo: Dave Holdsworth

204. Prelude (Surman) . . . 4:43

        woodwind: Bernie Living, Mike Osborne, Alan Skidmore

205. Tension (Surman) . . . 4:33

        saxophone duet: John Surman, Alan Skidmore

        trombone solo: Malcolm Griffiths

206. Introduction . . . 5:58

207. Ballad . . . 2:26

        alto solo: Mike Osborne

208. Conflict . . . 10:44

        tuba solo: George Smith

209. Requiem . . . 0:52

210. Tarnished (Surman) . . . 5:56

        soprano solo: John Surman

        alto solo: Mike Osborne

211. Memorial . . . 2:22

        drums solo: Alan Jackson

Composed By – Mike Westbrook except traks 204, 205, 210 by John Surman

Mike Westbrook – Piano

Dave Holdsworh – Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Kenny Wheeler – Trumpet, Fluegelhorn

Greg Bowen – Trumpet

Tony Fisher – Trumpet

Henry Lowther – Trumpet

Ronnie Hughes – Trumpet

Malcolm Grifiths – Trombone

Paul Rutherford – Trombone

Mike Gibbs – Trombone

Eddie Harvey – Trombone

Tom Bennellick – French Horn

Martin Fry – Tuba

George Smith – Tuba

John Surman – Baritone, Soprano Saxes

Mike Osborne – Alto Sax, Clarinet

Bernie Living – Alto Sax, Clarinet

Alan Skidmore – Tenor Sax, Flute

Nisar Ahmad Khan – Tenor Sax

John Warren – Alto, Baritone Saxes, Flute

Brian Smith – Tenor Sax

Harry Miller – Bass

Barre Phillips – Bass

Chris Lawrence – Bass

Alan Jackson – Drums

John Marshall – Drums

The first time I had a chance to hear this album before about thirty years.  I was blown away then and nothing has changed in the meantime. If you like free blowing big band jazz give this a listen. You will not be disappointed.

If you find it, buy this album!