CD Details

HARMONY OF THE SPHERES

ARDLEY, NEIL
1978 , UK , EAN CODE 5013929719620 - EURO 13.00

Label: ESOTERIC RECORDINGS

ALBUM REVIEW
Composer / arranger / bandleader Neil Ardley was one of the brightest stars on the firmament of the magnificent British Jazz, which flourished in the 1960s and 1970s. His compositions were often performed by his peers and his magnificent recordings as a leader were musical milestones, cherished and admired to this very day. Sadly, his recorded legacy is rather limited and parts of it remain unreleased on CD, which is a true crime. Therefore any reissue of his music is a true feast and celebration. This album represent's Ardley's late period as active musician, shortly before he left the music scene almost for good, dedicating the later part of his life to writing books. It is also a clear symbol of Ardley's transition as a composer, moving gradually from traditional Jazz forms to quite revolutionary contemporary Classical / Electronic / Ambient music, which although still contained strong Jazz elements (mainly improvised sections), was nevertheless a completely new compositional entity. As most of his ambitious compositions, the music is presented in a form of an extended suite, which makes a coherent whole and being divided into separate sections to emphasize the internal flow of the music. Ardley recruited a group of eleven musicians to record the album and as usual turned to his life-long friend and collaborator, trumpeter Ian Carr to become the main protagonist. The list of the participants reads like a dream come true of the British Jazz scene and includes reed players Tony Coe and Barbara Thompson, drummer Trevor Tomkins, keyboardist Geoff Castle and vocalists Pepi Lemer and Norma Winstone. Lesser known but no less talented contributors include bassist Bill Kristian and drummer Richard Burgess. Guitarist John Martyn is the surprising guest, who closes the list of participating musicians, and although primarily associated with Folk, delivers some heartbreaking guitar solos on this album. People familiar with these names will of course recognize the fact that most of these musicians were associated at one time or another with Ian Carr as members of his Nucleus ensemble. In retrospect this album remains a major milestone of British music and a firm reminder of Ardley's genius. Ardley, who died in 2004 (aged 66) will forever be a landmark figure and hopefully the younger generation will discover his magnificent music thank to reissues, like this one. An absolute must! (Jazzis - Rate Your Music)