Tuesday, September 07, 2010

An Elizabethan Songbook






















This is probably one of my favourite records. It took me quite a long time to find a copy but the wait was definitely worth it. It's a jazz record, a beautifully odd jazz record. At first glance, the record looks uninteresting but upon closer inspection, you begin to notice the clues. Maybe it's the strange combination of medieval and futuristic typography. Maybe it's the hip Elizabethan modette with pop art buttons. Maybe it's the list of great players such as Brian Moore (bass), Mike McNaught (piano), Mike Travis (drums), Jim Philip (flute). It's a very interesting listen and far rarer than you would think.  It took me a bloody ages to snag a copy.  I'm glad I persevered. It's both disappointing and strange that nobody has bothered to reissue it. Please listen to the deep modal track Orientis and the folk jazz oddity that is Scarborough Fair.  I think both are undiscovered gems that would fit perfectly on any Gilles Peterson compilation of British Jazz.

4 comments:

  1. I am very attracted to the cover model and am thinking naughty thoughts about her. And the music, oh yes. The music - is fantastic. I hope someone does reissue it. Seems right up Jonny Trunk's alley. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  2. these tracks are beautiful. Scarborough Fair is probably the best version I have ever heard. a Pentangle/Bobby Hutchinson fantasy. magical crash cymbol on Orientis. the production is perfect too..sounds kind of like her dress..very warm and upholstered!

    I totally agree, the past/future type with mod subculture and elizabethan styling...real time machine stuff. many thanks.

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  3. the girl on the cover is the great jazz vocalist Norma Winstone famous for her scatting work on loads of great British jazz lps from the 60s 70s.
    Cheers for this!

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  4. Glad you enjoyed it. Didn't realise it was Norma on the cover.

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