0245 Johnny Keating [The Johnny Keating All Stars] FLAC 12(36.16)

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
This was originally recorded for the US label Bally by Jack Kluger who wanted to showcase the best of European jazz for the American market.The first 5 lps for the label issued in the States during 1956/57 were 'Swedish Jazz', 'French Jazz', Swiss Jazz', 'Belgian Jazz' and this one which was called 'English Jazz'. It later appeared in the UK on the Oriole label and was then re-issued on this OOP cd by Harkitt.The tunes, which were recorded in 1956 and are all original compositions, are quite short but they feature some of the best of the British modernists at that time.
FLAC from OOP cd with booklet scans

Johnny Keating - conductor
Eddie Blair - trumpet
Bobby Pratt - trumpet
George Chisholm - trombone
Maurice Pratt - trombone
Don Lusher - trombone
Keith Christie - trombone
Jimmy Wilson - trombone
Ian Powell - tuba
Ronnie Chamberlain - alto
Don Rendell - tenor
Tommy Whittle - tenor
Bob Efford - tenor
Ronnie Ross - baritone
Jimmy Faulds - flute, oboe
Henry Mackenzie - clarinet
Ien Sanders - cor anglais
Danny Moss - bass clarinet
Bill Le Sage - vibes, piano
Damian Robinson - piano
Johnny Hawksworth - bass
Ronnie Verrell - drums
Dizzy Reece [12] - bongos

01 Strictly For Kyx (Johnny Keating) (2:50)
02 Fair Diana (Harry Roberts) (2:38)
03 Quads Talk (Harry Roberts) (3:18)
04 Impromptu (Johnny Hawksworth) (2:55)
05 Ultraviolet (Johnny Keating) (2:23)
06 Gibraltar Rocks (Johnny Keating) (2:57)
07 Good Life (Bill Le Sage) (2:50)
08 Snowface (Bill Le Sage) (2:33)
09 Last Resort (Bill Le Sage) (2:30)
10 Lazy (Bill Le Sage) (3:50)
11 Eddie Blair's Picnic (Eddie Blair) (3:32)
12 Piccadilly Jumps (Ivor Mairants) (2:39)

Labels: Bally 12001 (USA) and Oriole f10708, 10709, EP7013, MG 20011
Harkit HRKCD 8105
British Jazz The Johnny Keating All Stars,
English Jazz Johnny Keating And All Stars and
Spotlight on European Jazz Vol 1 British.
Recorded: March 19 20 1956 London
Lineage: CD>FLAC

0244 Tommy Whittle Keith Christie [Lullaby & Rhythm] FLAC 4(20.49)

Contributed by bellawoods, who writes:-
Sadly, most of the material on the original Esquire label issued in the 1950s usually only appears now on well worn and badly treated lps and eps and it is difficult, if not impossible, to restore them to anything like their original sound.
But I'm delighted to say that this is an exception and the sound is as close to the original as one could hope for. It is ripped from my CDR which, in turn, was ripped from a very good copy of the original 4 track 10" lp (but not by me). It required little work to be done - just some very light click removal in places and tidying up between tracks. There is a tiny drop out/fade at around 1m 18s on track 1 which was on the CDR
The music is first class and a rare opportunity to hear Keith Christie at length in a modern setting with his co-leader, Tommy Whittle. A fine rhythm section with Derek Smith on piano adds to the pleasure and it doesn't get any better than this. Listen out for the 'Peanut Vendor' riff played by Christie in the out chorus of 'Broadway'.
FLAC from CDR/LP with track details and very small and not very good sleeve pictures - any improvements on these anyone?

Keith Christie - trombone, valve trombone
Tommy Whittle - tenor
Derek Smith - piano
Arthur Watts - bass
Eddie Taylor - drums

01 Lullaby In Rhythm (Goodman, Hirsch, Profit, Sampson) (5:16)
02 Lullaby Of The Leaves (Petkere, Young) (4:58)
03 Lullaby Of Birdland (Shearing) (6:06)
04 Lullaby Of Broadway (Dubin, Warren) (4:29)

Label: Esquire 20-068
Recorded: July 06 1956
Lineage: LP>CDR>FLAC

0243 Vic Ash [Plus Four] FLAC 4(13.22)

With thanks to the Boogieman

Keith Christie - trombone
Vic Ash - clarinet
Derek Smith - piano
Sammy Stokes - bass
Phil Seamen - drums

01 Cinders (Ash) (3:22)
02 You Took Advantage Of Me (Rodgers, Hart) (3:17)
03 Ash Felt (Smith) (3:28)
04 With The Wind And The Rain In Your Hair (Lawrence, Edwards) (3:16)

Label: Nixa NJE 1032
Recorded: December 11 1956

0242 Harry Hayes [and His Band Volume One 1944-5-6] FLAC 16(44:44)

 

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
Alto saxophonist Harry Hayes had a long and distinguished career in music. Not everything he played could be described as jazz but he always employed the best musicians and employed good arrangers. His tone was immaculate and he was perhaps a "musicians' musician", much appreciated by his colleagues.
As Ronnie Scott said, 'Harry was the guv'nor'
These sides were originally recorded on 78s for HMV and this is the first in a two volume set which Harry had privately produced for cd issue on his own label. The track and personnel details enclosed cover tracks on both volumes but Volume 2 is not here.
For those enthusiasts of 1940s small group swing or jump bands this will be a treat for you as there are echoes of the Savoy Sultans in places. Certainly worth exploring if you don't know the name.
FLAC with cd booklet details.

Kenny Baker - trumpet
Jimmy Watson - trumpet
Freddy Clayton - trumpet
Len Whitely - trumpet
Billy Smith - trumpet
Leo Wright - trumpet
George Chisholm - trombone
Harry Roche - trombone
Jock Bain - trombone
Jack Bentley - trombone
Nobby Knight - trombone
Lad Busby - trombone
Harry Hayes - alto, tenor
Tommy Whittle - tenor
Jimmy Williams - tenor
Mickey Deans- tenor
Aubrey Franks - tenor
Bill Lewington - baritone
Phil Goody - baritone
George Shearing - piano
Norman Stenfalt - piano
Pat Dodd - piano
Joe Deniz - guitar
Alan Ferguson - guitar
Archie Slavin - guitar
Tommy Bromley - bass
Joe Scott - bass
Charles Scott - bass
Bert Howard - bass
Arthur O'Neill - bass
Jack Fallon - bass
George Fierstone - drums
Billy Lonsdale - drums
Billy Wiltshire - drums
Johnny Wise - drums
Norman Burns - drums

01 Sequence (Kleeb) (2:49)
02 Needle Nose (3:04)
03 Five Flat Flurry (Hayes) (2:44)
04 First Edition (Hayes) (3:14)
05 Drop Me Off In Harlem (Ellington) (2:56)
06 Merely A Minor (Hayes) (3:11)
07 1/2/3/4 Jump (2:51)
08 Up (2:33)
09 No Script (Hayes, Stenfalt) (2:36)
10 Cherry Brandy (Hayes) (2:21)
11 Midnight Prowl (2:54)
12 Playboy (2:44)
13 Homeward Bound (2:45)
14 Swinging On Lennox Avenue (Johnson) (2:41)
15 Keep Going-Don't Stop (2:13)
16 Can't You Read Between The Lines (Styne, Cahn) (3:08)

Label: HEP CD58
Recorded: November 15 1944-July 22 1947
Lineage: CD>FLAC

0241 Victor Feldman [Modern Jazz Quartet] FLAC 2(12.02)

 

Contributed by azule serape, who writes:-
Another of the many recordings Vic Feldman made before he left the UK for the USA and with his regular quartet.  'Item From Carmen' seems an unlikely choice of material but it swings mightily thanks to our old friend Phil Seamen.
Note: this ep was in pretty bad shape with lots of fine scratches overall and I had doubts whether to offer it for posting. Even after some sound restoration it still doesn't sound too good but, as this is the only issue, it is worth hearing. The cover was also torn from top to bottom and had pieces missing but Photoshop sorted that out.

Victor Feldman - vibes
Tommy Pollard - piano
Lennie Bush - bass
Phil Seamen - drums

01 Item From Carmen (Bizet) (6:18)
02 Dream (Andre, Mercer, Schwandt) (5:44)

Label: Esquire 104
Recorded: July 11 1955
Lineage: EP>FLAC