If ever a title of a CD said to me ‘This is a bit of you,’  then ‘Soho Scene 58 : Jazz Goes Mod’ is the one. A new release from those good people at Rhythm and Blues Records, it is also the latest from their fine Soho Scene series. Combining subjects that I hold dear, namely Jazz, Soho and Mod, and date 1958, this simply couldn’t grab my attention more, if it tried.

As usual with all the work that label supremo Nick Duckett releases, it is also very nicely packaged, and of a high-end design. The sleeve notes are by Simon Spillett, who for those uninformed out there, wrote the comprehensive biography on our boy Tubby Hayes a few years back. I personally think of Simon, as a sort Samuel Pepys of the Saxophone and his words here are as detailed and informative as ever, like this by way of example…’Soho Scene ’58 tells the story of this heady time; a Year Zero for Modernism in which London began to swing its way towards the 1960s, jazz setting the pace as never before…’

But what of the music you plum, I hear you cry? . Well, where to start on that? Of the 31 tracks on offer, I’m sure one or two will be familiar to certain ears, so my intention here is to cherry pick tunes that are new to me, rather than go through them all one by one. So, you all settled in? Then I’ll begin…

Disc One. British Jazz

Track 1. The Eddie Thompson Trio with ‘Eddification’ is an outstanding way to start, with Eddie in full swing on the piano, and picking his way through a delightful main refrain . The very definition of  the phrase total command of an instrument, comes to mind.

Track 2  – There’s definitely a feel of a film soundtrack on ‘Johnny Come Lately’ by the Don Rendell Jazz Six.  A moody double bass sets the tone, quickly followed by Eddie Courtley on a pin sharp trumpet, followed by Ronnie Ross doing what Ronnie does best on the Baritone Sax. Total quality from start to finish.

Track 4. Of course, I had to pick the best name ever in UK jazz for at least one track and here is Tony Crombie and his Men and the track ‘Ninth Man.’ This races along with each of those performing, playing  parts that fit in very snugly with the others . Bright, breezy and British!

Track 9. A lovely little outing this, called ‘Just for the Boys’ by the Vic Ash Sextet. It chugs along with a clarinet and flute up the front, a combination which I find, makes a nice change . Vic was a talented player of both, as well as the sax and he remained a highly valued session man and an important educator for many years.

Track 16. Here’s an unsung hero for many, namely Jimmy Deuchar, trumpeter par excellence, and sideman to Edward Brian for a good many years. This track ‘Heather Mist’ has a lovely smoky night club, relaxed feel to it. To me, it is also one of those ‘leave the bottle there mate’ tracks.

Disc 2 Jazz U.S.A.

Track 4. Here we have Harold Land and ‘You Don’t Know What Love Is.’ Close your eyes whilst listening to this, and for a couple of minutes,  you are in a dive bar on the left bank in Paris, somewhat lost in a fog of too much wine.  But, have no fear,  Harold is there calling you home, so not all hope is lost. A marvellous piece of music, you really should treat yourself to having a listen to. Thank me later.

Track 7. The awakening of what I know as Soul Jazz, rhythmically getting you to the ‘head nodding’ stage very quickly and  drawing you in further bar after bar. Cool, relaxed and very Lou Donaldson.

 Track 8. I can see him now, head bowed, almost touching the keys of his piano, somehow managing to find the notes with the precision of a surgeon. Bill Evans here serving up his version of ‘Tenderly.’ Spare, clean, and sharp as the waltz feel, sets up runs on a piano that at the same time deconstruct, and then reassemble, this old standard at the very same time. Only magicians can do this.

Track 10. A very interesting arrangement from the Ahmad Jamal trio. Piano led with an intriguing drum/ percussion pattern going on behind the main refrain of the track ‘Poinciana.’ It picks up a really nice pace from around the two-minute mark, all of which leaves you wanting, nay needing, to find out more about the work from this trio.

Track 13. For me, seeing the name Horace Silver playing on anything from this era, will grab my attention . The song ‘Pyramid’ is a new find to me, and I can hear all sorts in it. South American beats and rhythms, that then break off into what I term straight ahead jazz, with a slouchy tenor, almost commanding you to relax . Silver’s piano is nothing but a delight, as we have come to expect.

So, there you have it. Those tunes above, along with a whole heap of other fine music, means I can heartily recommend this CD, to both those perhaps new to the jazz art form and at the same time, to the now cynical old sweats who may have forgotten just how good all this once sounded.

Viva Soho, Jazz, Mod and 1958!

 

The Mumper of SE5 

 

THE SPEAKEASY VOLUME 2 (PRE ORDER – MARCH DELIVERY)

THE SPEAKEASY Volume Two by Mark Baxter (The Mumper)

Illustrations by Lewis Wharton

Foreword by Rhoda Dakar

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THE SPEAKEASY VOLUME 1

THE SPEAKEASY Volume One by Mark Baxter (The Mumper)

Illustrations by Lewis Wharton

Foreword by Gary Crowley

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