Showing posts with label Mike Gibbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Gibbs. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 21, 2016

THE GRAHAM COLLIER SEPTET – Deep Dark Blue Centre (LP-1967-SML 1005)




Label: Deram – SML 1005
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo / Country: UK / Released: 1967
Style: Post Bop, Free Improvisation
Recorded at Jackson Studios, January 15, 18 and 24, 1967.
Design [Sleeve Design] – Gillian Jackson Designs
Liner Notes – Charles Fox
Producer – John Jackson, Malcolm Jackson
This is the original THE GRAHAM COLLIER SEPTET - Deep Dark Blue Centre 1967 STEREO release, 1st PRESS
Also in mono (Cat# DML 1005)

A1 - Blue Walls .................................................................................... 4:32
A2 - El Miklos ...................................................................................... 6:48
A3 - Hirayoshi Suite ............................................................................. 5:55
A4 - Crumblin Cookie .......................................................................... 5:21
B1 - Conversations .............................................................................. 6:42
B2 - Deep Dark Blue Centre .............................................................. 13:23

Graham Collier – bass, arranged
Dave Aaron – alto saxophone, flute
Karl Jenkins – baritone saxophone, oboe
Philip Lee – guitar
Kenny Wheeler – trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks: A2, B1, B2)
Harry Beckett – trumpet, flugelhorn (tracks: A1, A3, A4)
Michael Gibbs – trombone
John Marshall – drums, percussion

Graham Collier’s 1967 debut album with Kenny Wheeler, Harold Beckett, Philip Lee, Mike Gibbs, Karl Jenkins and John Marshall (the latter two members of Soft Machine).




A fine bassist and one of the most important British jazz composers and arrangers, Graham Collier boasts a discography the envy of many of his contemporaries. This critically acclaimed album features a young Kenny Wheeler, and Harry Beckett, with others from the vibrant British scene of the late 1960s. Collier's influences have been tied to Charles Mingus, Bill Evans, and even Miles Davis, and this unlikely combination is clearly evident in his concepts: There are contrapuntal lines, complex rhythms tempered by a gentleness and glazed by simultaneous improvisations. The substantial nature of the music amply rewards the adventurous listener. The strong personalities of the soloists ensure individuality, while the juxtaposition of the flute, guitar, and trumpet lend a light air to some of the tracks. Collier's wonderfully diverse compositions are waiting to be discovered by a new generation, as his timeless, carefully crafted structures are charmingly alluring...
(Review by Steve Loewy)


"Collier's Septet plays Collier's music which is brilliantly constructed in the Gil Evans manner. Could any recommendation be higher? Collier has a great ear for melody, for new ways of jazz counterpoint, for interesting instrumentation. Five stars".
(Derek Jewell, The Sunday Times)



If you find it, buy this album!

Thursday, September 11, 2014

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!