image note       view larger image

Deep Dark Blue Centre/Portraits/Alternate Mosaics

Out Of Stock

A triple header of genius from Brit jazz legend Graham Collier! First up is Deep Dark Blue Centre, presented in stereo on CD for the first time ever – a seminal set from the UK jazz scene of the 60s, and a key indication that they had as many changes going on as we did! Collier's leadership and vision for the music are impeccable – a very well-balanced blend of modernism and more personal moments – carried off beautifully by a group that includes either Harry Beckett or Kenny Wheeler on trumpet, Mike Gibbs on trombone, Karl Jenkins on baritone sax, Dave Aaron on alto and flute, and Philip Lee on guitar. Collier brings an elegantly Blue Note-esque manner of scoring to the set, but also manages to delve into deeper complexities too – almost a bit of MPS exoticism at times! Titles include "Crumblin Cookie", "El Miklos", "Blue Walls", and "Conversations". Next up is Portraits – one of the most progressive sessions from Collier, and one that shows hints of the changes that were beginning to emerge in the British jazz scene at the time – but also one that resists those influences nicely, and which still stays relatively committed to Collier's regular modal jazz approach. The difference with Collier's other albums of the time is the prominent placement of a guitarist – Ed Speight, who plays long complicated solos which stretch out from the rest of the group. The other instrumentation is more traditional, with warm passages of alto, piano, and fluegelhorn next to the guitar. The track "And Now For Something Completely Different" takes up most of the album, and the album is completed by "Portraits 1". Last up is Alternate Mosaics – an alternate take of the material on the Mosaics album – recorded the same night as the version that was officially released. Like that one, Alternate Mosaics comprises one long piece – Collier's "Mosaics" – performed live by a group that includes Alan Wakeman on tenor and soprano, Harry Beckett on trumpet, and Geoff Castle on piano. "Mosaics" has that amazing mid 60s Coltrane quality of going out in a spiritual kind of way – yet always returning to the groove, never getting too free, and always remaining firmly focused on the direction ahead. All players are great, and the record crackles with the intensity of a classic session on Impulse!  © 1996-2013, Dusty Groove, Inc.