ELTON DEAN / ALAN SKIDMORE / CHRIS LAURENCE / JOHN MARSHALL – El Skid (Vinyl Rec. – VS 103 / LP-1977)

Label: Vinyl Records – VS 103

Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Black Label / Country: Germany / Released: 1977

Style: Post Bop, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded at Riverside Studios, 25th and 26th February, 1977, London.

Design [Cover] – John Fewster

Photography By – Bill Triance

Recording Engineer By – John Gill

Produced – Manfred Schiek

Written-By – Skidmore (tracks: A1, B2) / Dean (tracks: A2, B1)

Original German Pressing

Vinyl Records / Labelcode: LC 7284 / Schlüterstraße 53, 1000 Berlin 12, W. Germany

Matrix / Runout: (Side A Etched) A VS.103 A PF

Matrix / Runout: (Side B Etched) A VS.103 B PF

A1 - Dr. Les Mosses  (A. Skidmore) ................................................................. 8:28

A2 - First In The Attic  (E. Dean) .................................................................... 12:45

B1 - That's For Cha  (E. Dean) ....................................................................... 10:55

B2 - K And A Blues  (A. Skidmore) .................................................................. 9:32

Personnel:

Elton Dean – alto saxophone

Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone

Chris Laurence – acoustic bass

John Marshall – drums, percussion

Elton Dean is probably still best known for his contribution to Soft Machine, where his fuzzy, amplified alto grafted a jazz sensibility onto that band's organ driven psychedelic fusions. Like many of his peers (Lol Coxhill, Nick Evans, Gary Windo, Keith Tippett) Dean flitted between prog rock fusion, post bop jazz and free improv with ease, and he still does. On this long unavailable 1977 date, he teams up with tenorist Alan Skidmore (with the able support of bassist Chris Laurence and Soft Machine drummer John Marshall) for a straightahead acoustic blowing session on four original tunes, and mighty fine it is too.

Skidmore has long acknowledged his debt to John Coltrane, but he tempers the sheets of sound approach with passages of gutbucket bluesiness, recalling his tenure with John Mayall. On the opening "Dr Les Mosses" he sounds more like Sonny Rollins, delivering a concise, melodic solo over the breakneck tumbling swing of the rhythm section, paving the way for Dean's extended skyscraping alto excursion. Laurence contributes a furiously funked duet with Marshall to encouraging shouts from Skidmore...

The tenorist Alan Skidmore peppers the ballad swing of "First in the Attic" with urgent, doubletimed low register flurries, sparking off Laurence and Marshall into explosive commentary; Skidmore settles on a phrase, modulates it, moves to another or breaks out into keening high register lines, but keeps his ear firmly on the changes. Dean's influences are harder to pinpoint; his smeared phrasing, sometimes vocalised tone and quicksilver runs recall Eric Dolphy, Ornette or even Jackie Mclean, but only fleetingly; Dean is his own man. "Thats for Cha" features Dean on his saxello and Skidmore on soprano but despite its attractively Monkish melody fails to ignite, though the rumbustious blues of "K and A Blues" closes proceedings with things back on track.

The somewhat dry, close miked recording sucks the air out of things a little, but this joyous, unpretentious music is much bigger than that; these four fine musicians sound like they're enjoying themselves, and its infectious. Recommended.

(Review By Peter Marsh, 2002, BBC Review)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/4bdp/

If you find it, buy this album!

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!

LÉON FRANCIOLI – Nolilanga (LP-1970 / Evasion Disques – LP E 109)

Label: Evasion Disques – LP E 109

Series: Living Now - 1

Format: Vinyl, LP / Country: Switzerland – Press in France / Released: 1970

Style: Free Jazz, Contemporary Jazz, Free Improvisation

Recorded on the 3rd of April 1970.

Layout – Studiopizz

Photography By – Alain Ogheri

Engineer – Stephen Sulke

Producer – Gaston Schaefer

A1 - Ndi'funa'imali ................................................................... 2:40

A2 - Noma'khephu .................................................................. 8:20

A3 - In Bubwe .......................................................................... 6:25

B  -  Nolilanga ........................................................................ 18:40

Léon Francioli – double bass, conductor

Alan Skidmore – tenor sax and soprano sax

Pierre Cullaz – guitar

Pierre Favre – drums, percussion

Alain Petitmermet – drums, percussion

Léon Francioli (1946 to 2016) was a Swiss double bass player, was born in Lausanne, Switzerland, on May 22nd 1946. After studying piano and double bass at the Conservatory of Lausanne, he worked sessions in studios for mainly 'rock' and classical artists (he was also an accomplished cellist). As a founding member and lead guitarist of the instrumental group 'Les Aiglons', from 1963 to 1965 he recorded several LP-s with them for the record label 'Golf Drouot de Barclay'. In 1970 however, Francioli released his first solo record, under his name but with assistance from Alain Petitmermet, Pierre Favre, Pierre Cullaz and Alan Skidmore. Michel Portal played with him during concerts in Nantes and at the Châteauvallon Festival in 1972, the both of them assisted by Favre, plus Beb Guerin and Bernard Vitet. He then went on to play as a duet with Favre, and this continued until 1980...

... He later recorded and toured with artists such as Johm Tchicai, Albert Mangelsdorff (in 'Triple Entente'), Don Cherry, Radu Malfatti (in 'Humanimal'), and sometimes just solo. In 1982, Francioli co-founded the 'jazz' ensemble 'BBFC' (along with J F Bovard on trombone, Daniel Bourquin on reed instruments and Olivier Clerc on drums). In 1984, he played once more with Pierre Favre, and also collaborated with composer Stan Tracey on the film music for the movies "Les Petites Fugues" and "Le Bus...", as well as playing with various dance bands. In 1995, he won the "Grand Prix de la Fondation Vaudoise pour la Culture", and since 1991 had helped create music for many musical shows, including "Border Line", "Le Cirque", "Une Saison en Enfer", "Amnésie Internationale" and "Délices des Jardins...". He later formed a group along with Daniel Bourquin, called 'Les Nouveaux Monstres'. Léon Francioli died in Lausanne on March 9th 2016. He was 69.

 Alan Skidmore – tenor sax and soprano sax

"Nolilanga", his first album as a leader, one of his few recordings where is in completely gave himself and showed what is actually a master of the instrument. But even more is its intuitiveness and its disconcerting but liberating power at all consider a purely playful angle that will push him to exceed the limits imposed by the shackles of too strict education. The playground is the music itself in time as malleable material which everything can be said. The abstraction of "Ndi'Fuma'Imali" opening is a good example: the bass is not content to play the strings, he played the instrument himself ... playing companions are, it must be say, extremely well chosen too: two drummers, Alain Petitmermet and painfully exciting Pierre Favre, guitarist Pierre Cullaz and finally the brilliant British saxophonist Alan Skidmore who is known for his solo work and participation in many UK jazz fusion/prog groups, i.e; Soft Machine, Keith Tippett's Centipede, The Nice, Elton Dean's Ninesense, etc... "Noma'Khepu" holds the long beach where you can hear that on balance is a philosophy of life be put into practice collectively. Tumultuous and energetic, "Nolilanga" faithful representative of a current to the envied but not always understood precepts, tends to prove that harmony can also be born from chaos...

If you find it, buy this album!

VOLKER KRIEGEL – Inside: Missing Link (2LP-1972)

Label: MPS Records/BASF – 29 21431-1

Format: 2 × Vinyl, LP, Album / Country: Germany / Released: 1972

Style: Fusion, Free Improvisation, Free Jazz

LP 1: Recorded March 20th and 21st 1972 at Tonstudio Walldorf

LP 2: Recorded March 22nd and 23rd 1972 at Tonstudio Walldorf

Design [Cover] – Günther Kieser

Photography By [Inside] – Volker Hartman

Engineer [Recording Engineer] – Klaus D. Stingel

Producer – Volker Kriegel

Supervised By – Albert Mangelsdorff (tracks: C1 to D5), Dieter V. Goetze (tracks: A1 to B2)

A1 - Slums on Wheels ......................................................... 13:24

A2 - The "E" Again ................................................................ 6:36

B1 - Zanzibar ....................................................................... 10:22

B2 - Missing Link ................................................................. 12:03

C1 - Für Hector ...................................................................... 5:45

C2 - Remis ............................................................................. 4:26

C3 - Tarang .......................................................................... 10:00

D1 - Lastic Plemon ................................................................ 5:21

D2 - Janellas Abertas ............................................................. 4:09

D3 - Plonk Whenever ............................................................ 4:06

D4 - Definitely Suspicious ...................................................... 5:55

D5 - Finale ............................................................................. 0:10

Line-up / Musicians

- Volker Kriegel / electric guitar, acoustic guitar, octave guitar, sitar

- Albert Mangelsdorff / trombone

- Alan Skidmore / soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone

- Heinz Sauer / tenor saxophone

- John Taylor / electric piano

- Eberhardt Weber / bass

- Cees See / percussion, voice, flutes, effects

- John Marshall / drums, percussion

Volker Kriegel's follow-up to "Spectrum" is a double album and a much more dynamic affair and more to my liking. He has some of the best German and British musicians around helping him out. It's interesting that the first LP has a different lineup than the second LP.

The first LP has an eight piece lineup and was recorded on the 20th & 21st of March, while the second LP featured a five piece band and was recorded on the 22nd & 23rd of March. John Marshall is on drums on the first LP, lots of pictures in the liner notes and John is as usual very serious looking.

"Slums On Wheels" has such a great sound to start as the sax joins in. Intricate guitar then takes the lead as it settles some.The sax is back then the tempo picks up before 4 1/2 minutes. A calm 6 minutes in as intricate sounds come and go. It's building before 9 minutes and electric piano joins in. Nice. Bass and percussion continue. Sax before 10 1/2 minutes. Drums only from Marshall before 12 1/2 minutes then a full sound. What a way to start !

"The "E" Again" has a good rhythm as sax and guitar do their thing. Dissonant sax before 2 1/2 minutes. Electric piano leads a minute later. Sax is back before 6 1/2 minutes to end it.

"Zanzibar" is led by the bass and drums early then the horns come in just before a minute. The guitar then leads before the horns return before 3 1/2 minutes as it picks up. Some dissonance too. A calm before 5 minutes as bass and a beat with horns lead. It kicks back in before 6 1/2 minutes. Piano leads before 8 minutes and we get some nice bass a minute later. Sax is back 10 minutes in.

"Missing Link" opens with experimental sounds that come and go including vocal expressions. The music comes in after 2 minutes and starts to build. I like the drumming here. The horns start to blast then it settles back. A calm 5 minutes in then it starts to pick up with guitar leading the way. Nice. Horns take a turn before 7 1/2 minutes with lots of dissonance too. A drum show from Marshall 9 minutes in. Great sound before 11 minutes with sax leading then guitar. Killer tune.

 Alan Skidmore

 Volker Kriegel /Albert Mangelsdorff

John Taylor (1942-2015)

The second LP is a little more stripped down but excellent none the less. "Fur Hector" is uptempo and guitar led. Piano takes the lead after 3 1/2 minutes.The guitar is back leading late.

"Remis" is percussion and keyboard led early and the bass is prominant too. The guitar then joins the fray. "Tarang" has a Middle Eastern vibe to it with lots of percussion. Strummed and intricate guitar comes in at 2 1/2 minutes before the opening ethnic soundscape returns to 

end it.

"Lastic Plemon" is led by the drums and keys and is quite energetic. Guitar before 3 minutes. "Janellias Abertas" is an intricate and laid back track.

"Plonk Whenever" is uptempo with the bass and drums pounding while the guitar and keys play over top. Great track.

"Definitely Suspicious" is one of my favourites. It has such an uplifting mood to it and the electric piano has a lot to do with that. "Finale" is 15 seconds of mainly intricate guitar to end it.

Very enjoyable and a treat for the ears.

(Review by Mellotron Storm)

If you find it, buy this album!

ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP – Devil In Paradise (LP-1971)

Label: MPS Records/ BASF – 2021078-2

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

Style: Free Jazz, Fusion

Recorded at the Cornet-Studios, Cologne, 20 & 21 June 1971.

Producer By – Klaus Lorenzen

Engineer By – Wolfganf  Hirschmann

Cover Design By – H. Matthies

A1 - Diathyaminoathyl . . . . . 6:56

         (Composed By – Wolfgang Dauner)

A2 - Devil In Paradise . . . . . 6:45

         (Composed By – Joachim Kühn, Rolf Jürgensen, Rolf Kühn)

A3 - More, More, More And More . . . . . 5:25

         (Composed By – Rolf Kühn)

B1 - Wind In The Willows . . . . . 12:07

         (Composed By – Rolf Kühn)

B2 - Clowny . . . . . 6:50

         (Composed By – Albert Mangelsdorff)

Rolf Kühn – clarinet

Alan Skidmore – tenor saxophone

Wolfgang Dauner – electric piano

Joachim Kühn – piano

Albert Mangelsdorff – trombone

Eberhard Weber – bass

Tony Oxley – drums, percussion

When you read the names of the musicians in this unusual band, everything will be clear why I have this album here, now.

ROLF KÜHN JAZZGROUP / Devil In Paradise, five exceptional tracks, great time, and Tony Oxley, Tony is simply divine.

Also, I recommend that you find:

Rolf  Kühn Septet / Going To The Rainbow (LP-1970)

Rolf Kühn (cl), Alan Skidmore (ts), John Surman (bars, ss, el-p), Joachim Kühn (p, org), Chick Corea (el-p), Peter Warren (b), Tony Oxley (d)

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!