Here’s a press release I’ve just had from Universal, which should be of interest to Brit-Jazz lovers…
BRITISH JAZZ EXPLOSION: Decca Records Announces Major New Jazz Catalogue Reissue Series
Featuring classic albums and sought-after tracks available on vinyl and digitally for the first time since their original release
Launching on July 16th 2021 with deluxe 2LP & 2CD compilation album Journeys In Modern Jazz: Britain (1965-1972) ***Featured artists include Michael Garrick, Stan Tracey, Don Rendell, Mike Westbrook, John Surman, Harry Beckett,
Mike Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Michael Gibbs and more***
Digging deep into one of the most important catalogues in the world of modern jazz, Decca Records is launching a brand- new, on-going audiophile vinyl reissue series British Jazz Explosion: Originals Re-Cut, which will present a selection of highly regarded British jazz albums made during the 1960s and ‘70s. A number of tracks and albums will be made available on vinyl and digitally for the first time since their original release and the series will launch with a deluxe 2LP & 2CD album ‘Journeys In Modern Jazz: Britain (1965-1972)’ featuring a compilation of tracks from across the series (full tracklisting below).
Featuring rare and sought-after albums from the vaults of British labels such as Decca, Argo, Lansdowne, Deram and Fontana, the series was compiled by producer, author and jazz historian Tony Higgins and will include classic titles such as Don Rendell’s “Space Walk”, Ken Wheeler & the John Dankworth Orchestra’s “Windmill Tilter (The Story Of Don Quixote)” and The New Jazz Orchestra’s “Le Dejeuner Sur l’Herbe”.
All titles in the Originals Re-Cut series have been remastered from the original tapes and will be presented on all-analog 180-gram vinyl pressings including high quality ‘flipback’ sleeves, front-laminated original LP artwork and 12x12 inserts featuring brand-new liner notes.
Tony Higgins: “The current UK jazz scene is in tremendous health and is receiving international recognition. Decca’s British Jazz Explosion series will connect what’s happening now to the pioneers and mavericks of the ‘60s and ‘70s; artists who reframed jazz in their own style and set the foundations of what was to follow in the ‘80s, ‘90s, and beyond.
“It’s fascinating to see the paths and linkages from what was happening 50 years ago to what’s going on today. Whether it’s the orchestrated pastoral jazz of Neil Ardley, the funky jazz-rock of Michael Gibbs, or the super rare experimental modal bop of Mike Taylor, this reissue series and compilation will bring coherence and shape to the musical diversity and stylistic sweep of British jazz in the ‘60s and ‘70s.”
Decca Records/Universal Music Senior Catalogue Manager Kevin Long:
“It is important for Decca/UMG to continue to open the tape archives, and to preserve and tell the story of these historic recordings again. The artists and their much-loved music helped pave the road map to what the modern British Jazz sound is today. Each record is a fascinating listen, capturing the wave and direction of the moment, which will help entice and continue the legacy for a new generation of listeners on a journey to expand their thirst for knowledge on music and culture in Britain during the 1960s & ‘70s.”
BRITISH JAZZ EXPLOSION RELEASE SCHEDULE:
Release Date: 16th July:
Various Artist / Journeys In Modern Jazz: Britain (2LP | 2CD |Digital)
Don Rendell / Space Walk (LP | Digital)
Release Date: 13th August:
Ken Wheeler & the John Dankworth Orchestra / Windmill Tilter (The Story Of Don Quixote) (LP | Digital)
Release Date: 10th September:
The New Jazz Orchestra / Le Dejeuner Sur l’Herbe (LP | Digita)l
+ more titles to be announced for 2022
‘Journeys In Modern Jazz: Britain (1965-1972)’
LP1 SIDE A
- Ken Wheeler and the John Dankworth Orchestra | Don The Dreamer
- Don Rendell Quintet | A Matter Of Time
- Collin Bates Trio | Brew
- John Surman, John Warren | With Terry’s Help
LP1 SIDE B
- Michael Garrick Sextet | Second Coming
- Mike Westbrook Concert Band | Waltz (for Joanna) 3. Stan Tracey And His Big Band | Matinee Days
- Harry Beckett | Third Road
LP2 SIDE A
- Neil Ardley, Ian Carr, Don Rendell | Greek Variations: VI Kriti [edit]
- The New Jazz Orchestra | Angle
- Alan Skidmore Quintet | Old San Juan
LP2 SIDE B
- Diick Morrissey Quartet | Storm Warning
- Mike Taylor Quartet | To Segovia
- Michael Gibbs | Some Echoes, Some Shadows
July release. The whole of Layla and other assorted love songs.
