STAN TRACEY - Wisdom In The Wings
ReSteamed Records RSJ114
STAN TRACEY QUARTET - Free An' One:
Stan Tracey (piano), Peter King (alto saxophone), Dave Green (double bass), Bryan Spring (drums)
Recorded September 10th 1969.
STAN TRACEY BIG BAND - The Seven Ages of Man:
Stan Tracey (piano, arranger), Derek Watkins, Tony Fisher, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw (trumpet), Keith Christie, Chris Pyne, Mike Gibbs (trombone), Peter King, Dennis Walton (alto saxophone), Tony Coe (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Alan Skidmore (tenor saxophone), Ronnie Ross (baritone saxophone), Dave Green (double bass), Bryan Spring (drums), Frank Ricotti (vibraphone)
Recorded October 8th 1969.
Remarkably, this is the first release or reissue of any of Stan's music since his passing in 2013 and a much welcome and timely release it is too. Not just one, but two complete albums recorded by Denis Preston at Lansdowne Studios in London and released in January and September 1970 on Columbia Records. Needless to say that, unfortunately, both were deleted fairly quickly and have been much valued and sought after ever since.
The two albums, recorded less than a month apart, capture Tracey at an interesting juncture in his career. Following on from the phenomenal quartet with Bobby Wellins that recorded Under Milk Wood in 1965, and prior to his forays in to free improvisation in the early 1970s. Disc One showcases Stan's new quartet with altoist, Peter King proving to be an exemplary choice for the frontline and drummer Bryan Spring's first recording. With Dave Green on bass, Tracey had not just a solid and reliable anchor to the band, but also a bassist that was able to follow wherever required while still keeping the music grounded.
The resulting album provides a valuable glimpse into Tracey's music mind as he looks to find a link and the first tentative steps from his position as a composer to the realms of freer music that is created in the moment. To enable him to do so, Tracey and the quartet work from themes that are dispensed with quickly as they then let their imaginations take them on a more exploratory path. The long title track is a perfect example of this, with the four musicians forging ahead, looking to push their music onwards, but the familiar is never far away. Stan's touch at the piano is there to bring things back to a set sequence if need be, and as evidenced on 'Step An' Fetch', King's bebop roots are always bubbling under the surface. This sense of security and familiarity permeate 'The Green Kingspring of King Springreen' with Tracey's swinging solo, and some superb alto playing from Peter King, who also takes off impressively from the rhythm section's solid support on 'Nudgy Vamp'.
The second disc in the set, recorded less than a month later finds Tracey leading a big band for The Seven Ages of Man, a suite of pieces loosely based on a Shakespearian theme. This immediately feels more familiar and Tracey's gifts as a composer shine from the outset. Deeply swinging, superb arrangements for the horns, and a driving rhythm section all help propel the music along. Alan Skidmore shakes things up a little with his solo on the opening 'All The World's A Stage', while Tony Coe's clarinet on 'Matinee Days' reminds us of Stan's love of Duke. More sumptuous writing for the larger ensemble is heard on the lovely 'Enter Romeo', and the exuberant momentum of 'Wisdom in the Wings' is something to behold. Closing with 'Kindly Leave The Stage', Tracey leaves us with one of his beautiful piano introductions before the rest of the band come in with another captivating performance, and a fine solo from Ronnie Ross on baritone saxophone.
Two fine albums marking an important moment not just in Stan's illustrious career, but also in the history of jazz in Britain. Nice to have this music back in print, and I have it on good authority that there are more releases planned over the forthcoming months.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
ReSteamed Records RSJ114
STAN TRACEY QUARTET - Free An' One:
Stan Tracey (piano), Peter King (alto saxophone), Dave Green (double bass), Bryan Spring (drums)
Recorded September 10th 1969.
STAN TRACEY BIG BAND - The Seven Ages of Man:
Stan Tracey (piano, arranger), Derek Watkins, Tony Fisher, Greg Bowen, Hank Shaw (trumpet), Keith Christie, Chris Pyne, Mike Gibbs (trombone), Peter King, Dennis Walton (alto saxophone), Tony Coe (clarinet, tenor saxophone), Alan Skidmore (tenor saxophone), Ronnie Ross (baritone saxophone), Dave Green (double bass), Bryan Spring (drums), Frank Ricotti (vibraphone)
Recorded October 8th 1969.
Remarkably, this is the first release or reissue of any of Stan's music since his passing in 2013 and a much welcome and timely release it is too. Not just one, but two complete albums recorded by Denis Preston at Lansdowne Studios in London and released in January and September 1970 on Columbia Records. Needless to say that, unfortunately, both were deleted fairly quickly and have been much valued and sought after ever since.
The two albums, recorded less than a month apart, capture Tracey at an interesting juncture in his career. Following on from the phenomenal quartet with Bobby Wellins that recorded Under Milk Wood in 1965, and prior to his forays in to free improvisation in the early 1970s. Disc One showcases Stan's new quartet with altoist, Peter King proving to be an exemplary choice for the frontline and drummer Bryan Spring's first recording. With Dave Green on bass, Tracey had not just a solid and reliable anchor to the band, but also a bassist that was able to follow wherever required while still keeping the music grounded.
The resulting album provides a valuable glimpse into Tracey's music mind as he looks to find a link and the first tentative steps from his position as a composer to the realms of freer music that is created in the moment. To enable him to do so, Tracey and the quartet work from themes that are dispensed with quickly as they then let their imaginations take them on a more exploratory path. The long title track is a perfect example of this, with the four musicians forging ahead, looking to push their music onwards, but the familiar is never far away. Stan's touch at the piano is there to bring things back to a set sequence if need be, and as evidenced on 'Step An' Fetch', King's bebop roots are always bubbling under the surface. This sense of security and familiarity permeate 'The Green Kingspring of King Springreen' with Tracey's swinging solo, and some superb alto playing from Peter King, who also takes off impressively from the rhythm section's solid support on 'Nudgy Vamp'.
The second disc in the set, recorded less than a month later finds Tracey leading a big band for The Seven Ages of Man, a suite of pieces loosely based on a Shakespearian theme. This immediately feels more familiar and Tracey's gifts as a composer shine from the outset. Deeply swinging, superb arrangements for the horns, and a driving rhythm section all help propel the music along. Alan Skidmore shakes things up a little with his solo on the opening 'All The World's A Stage', while Tony Coe's clarinet on 'Matinee Days' reminds us of Stan's love of Duke. More sumptuous writing for the larger ensemble is heard on the lovely 'Enter Romeo', and the exuberant momentum of 'Wisdom in the Wings' is something to behold. Closing with 'Kindly Leave The Stage', Tracey leaves us with one of his beautiful piano introductions before the rest of the band come in with another captivating performance, and a fine solo from Ronnie Ross on baritone saxophone.
Two fine albums marking an important moment not just in Stan's illustrious career, but also in the history of jazz in Britain. Nice to have this music back in print, and I have it on good authority that there are more releases planned over the forthcoming months.
Reviewed by Nick Lea
