Surman, John - John Surman / How Many Clouds Can You See? / Tales of The Algonquin : 2 x CDs
SKU
28-BGO6121553.2
This is the beginning of a nearly 60 year long career as a bandleader, with three totally stone classic and legendary release, released in full on two CDs.
Surman is one of the most important names of the golden years of British jazz, and his reputation was first made here. You need this.
John Surman is his first and was recorded in August, 1968. It covers a number of styles and he is still feeling for his own voice (there is even a sort of calypso number!), but you certainly can tell it is him.
How Many Clouds is a superb album & was John's second, recorded in mid 1969.just a few months before he left England to join up with Stu Martin and Barre Phillips and start The Trio. It's a landmark of Brit-jazz and, imo, a much better album than his first, self-titled solo album.
Algonquin was the third and last of 3 albums that John Surman recorded for Deram, coming out in 1971.
This project is a collaboration with composer/saxist John Warren and it is a really splendid Brit-jazz release, well paced and composed for large ensemble from that golden time.
ALL of these feature amazing musicians in various combinations, such as:
Kenny Wheeler & Harry Becket (trumpets/flugelhorn)
Malcolm Griffiths, Ed Harvey & Paul Rutherford (trombones)
Mike Osborne (alto & clarinet)
Stan Sulzmann (alto & soprano, flute)
Alan Skidmore (tenor & flute)
John Surman (baritone & soprano)
John Warren (baritone & flute)
John Taylor (piano)
Harry Miller, Dave Holland & Barre Philips (bass)
Tony Oxley, Alan Jackson & Stu Martin (drums)