TRADING PLACES Archives - Guerssen Records

I Can’t Lie To You

GuerssenAdmin — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Glasgow-born pianist Mike McNaught’s aim was to infuse pop and rock into jazz, forming Atlantic Bridge after leading the London Jazz Four, recruiting bassist Darryl Runswick and drummer Mike Travis, who he played with in the Henry Lowther Band, alongside flutist/saxophonist Jim Philip of the Michael Garrick Sextet to craft a sole LP for Pye’s Dawn subsidiary. The lead track on this rare 12-inch EP, ‘I Can’t Lie To You,’ was a non-standard original that summed up all of their capabilities, with uncredited female vocals and unusual enhancing overdubs; instrumentals ‘Hilary Dickson’ and ‘Childhood Room’ are pleasantly atmospheric, the latter showcasing the awesome power of Runswick’s melodic bass prowess.

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Zulu

GuerssenAdmin — Sun, 12 Jul 2020 22:00:00 +0000

One of the most important British film composers of all time, John Barry’s body of work is simply astounding. In a career that spanned more than half a century, Barry composed some of the most popular soundtracks for British film and television, including eleven James Bond themes, winning numerous awards and accolades in the process. The son of a projectionist from York in the north of England, Barry was raised in a cinematic environment from a very young age and after a stint as an army trumpeter in Cyprus, he began to work back home in Britain for Jack Parnell and Ted Heath’s Orchestra and after the subsequent formation of The John Barry Seven in 1957, he began to work in film and television. The highly evocative Zulu soundtrack of 1964 is the work that brought him to the attention of a wider audience, shortly before the first James Bond theme that would turn him into a household name; here the music shifts between an overriding tension and the kind of military fanfares reserved for pitched skirmishes on battlefields, the orchestrates peaks and troughs sounding every bit as stirring as anything recorded in Hollywood.

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Ben

GuerssenAdmin — Thu, 27 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Canterbury-based progressive jazz-rock act Ben only released one obscure album, issued on Philips’ prog subsidiary Vertigo in 1971, but it’s a lovely collective of extended instrumental jams, worthy of discovery for those that missed it the first time around. Peter Davey’s saxophone and clarinet melodies push the material to high peaks, against an understated backing from future Nashville Teens bassist, Len Surtees and former Graham Bond drummer, David Sheen, keyboardist Alex Macleery and guitarist Gerry Reid adding flourishes at key moments. The songs “The Wooing Of The Child” and “The Wooing Of The Man” credit a certain K Jarrett as songwriter, making this rare beast all the more intriguing.

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This is Black Velvet

GuerssenAdmin — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

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Moment of Truth

GuerssenAdmin — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Bronx bard Tom Crosgrove got his start in garage rock group Elegant Four, AKA the Elegants, forming Brethren with bassist Stu Woods and drummer Rick Marotta, the unit backing Al Kooper in tandem with their own career; future Bowie keyboardist Mike Garson completed the picture. The great Dr John appeared on their self-titled debut and wrote opener ‘Loop Garou’ for Moment Of Truth, a heady blend of swamp rock and gospel-tinged blues rock, with fine finishing touches from top NY session players; Crosgrove’s rocking guitar riffs and Garson’s keyboard melodies really shine. Another lost gem, ripe for rediscovery!

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Fantabulous (Turquoise)

GuerssenAdmin — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 22:00:00 +0000

Roman saxophonist and clarinettist Sandro Brugnolini began his long recording career in the Junior Dixieland Gang in the early 1950s and came to greater prominence as chief composer in the Modern Jazz Gang, awarded best original composition for his ‘Arpo’ at Italy’s National Jazz Festival in 1958. Of the many film soundtracks he scored in the 60s, Fantabulous is the most legendary, Brugnolini bringing a jumble of mod jazz, psych-beat, freaky soul, and off-kilter pop into the mix, as an aural accompaniment to a film inspired by superheroes, secret agents, and swinging dames. One of the ultimate soundtrack rarities, this one is a must-have, far-out listening experience!

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Live In San Francisco Late 1969

GuerssenAdmin — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 22:00:00 +0000

Sandy Bull’s unorthodox approach to guitar was as unique as his personal circumstances. Son of jazz harpist Daphne Hellman and brother to the sitarist Daisy Paradis, Bull became part of the bourgeoning Greenwich Village folk circuit. A move to San Francisco in 1963 found him sharing an apartment with Nubian oud master, Hamza El Din, which had a profound effect on his playing, spurring early world music experiments. The previously unreleased Live In San Francisco features bluesy electric ‘Memphis, Tennessee’ and ‘Instrumental Blues,’ plus the abstract ‘Untitled Instrumental’ and ‘Solo Experimental,’ all classic morsels of Bull wizardry.

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Live In Ankara

GuerssenAdmin — Thu, 10 Apr 2025 22:00:00 +0000

Recorded in November 1969 at the US Embassy, Live In Ankara saw the adventurous jazz trumpeter Don Cherry performing with saxophonist Irfan Sümer, bassist Selçuk Sun, and drummer Okay Temiz, with arrangements by trumpeter Maffy Falay, who had introduced Cherry to Temiz in Stockholm. Mostly comprised of Cherry originals and adaptations of Turkish folk songs, there are one-off takes of compositions by Ornette Coleman and Pharoah Sanders as well, the sparse musical ensemble giving Cherry ample room for soloing as they drift between the sounds of tradition and experimentation. A must for all Don Cherry fans.

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Renaissance

GuerssenAdmin — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 23:00:00 +0000

Modern and grounded in 1960s hard-bop sensibility, the American pianist and composer Albert Dailey (1939 – 1984) had perfect control over his instrument. Since an early age he played with cutting-edge musicians, the likes of Art Blakey, Sarah Vaughan, Stan Getz, Charles Mingus and Lee Konitz to name just a few. But despite that, he was an underrated artist during his lifetime receiving deserved recognition only after his death. Renaissance 2 November 1977 is his second album, played by a bold group that includes the voice of Cheryl Alexander, Carter Jefferson on sax, Cecil McBee on bass and features both Cheryl Alexander and Adam Nussbaum on drums. COMPLETELY REMASTERED!

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An evening with Dando Shaft (TP)

GuerssenAdmin — Sun, 22 Jan 2023 23:00:00 +0000

Formed in the West Midlands manufacturing town of Coventry in 1968, esteemed psychedelic folk group Dando Shaft are revered as key influencers of the progressive strand of the 1960s folk revival, and the interplay of melodies on guitar, mandolin and violin made their sound distinctive, thanks to frontman Martin Jenkins, whose expressive vocals compliment his intricate lines, while Roger Bullen’s melodious bass helps to lubricate the proceedings. Recorded before Polly Bolton’s harmonic presence shifted the emphasis of their output, this masterwork is required listening for all progressive folk devotees.

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