Michael Garrick - 1974 - Troppo

Michael Garrick

1974

Troppo

01. Troppo!

02. To Henry, A Son

03. Lime Blossom

04. Sons Of Art

05. Fellow Feeling

06. Overtones Of A Forgotten Music

Bass – Coleridge Goode (tracks: B2), Dave Green

Drums – Trevor Tomkins

Flute, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Art Themen, Don Rendell (tracks: A1, A2, B1, B2)

Piano, Electric Piano [Fender], Piano [Hohner] – Michael Garrick

Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Violin – Henry Lowther

Voice – Norma Winstone

Recorded in Decca No. 2 Studio, London 13, 25, 26 October 1973.

Pianist / composer Michael Garrick has been a pivotal figure in the British Jazz for over five decades and his recorded legacy over the years is an enormous source of inspiration and an example of intelligence, finesse and dedication. By the mid-1970s the British Jazz revolution was all but complete and the scene's decade of glory was also nearing its end, with record sales declining. Therefore this album was to be the last recording Garrick made for the Argo label, a subsidiary of Decca. His ambition to push the music beyond the well established boundaries, with the music becoming more complex in the process, was a key factor in the company's decision to cease the fruitful cooperation, which lasted for a decade and produced some of Britain's best and most important Jazz masterpieces. Following the initial release of this album Garrick would almost completely stop releasing albums for over two decades, until he finally established his own independent Jazz Academy label and his output appeared there regularly since, to the delight of his many fans, myself included. The group playing on this recording consists mostly of Garrick's long time cohorts and the British Jazz scene's lions: Henry Lowther on trumpet and violin, Art Themen on flute and sax, Don Rendell on flute and sax, bassists Dave Green and Coleridge Goode and drummer Trevor Tomkins. The divine vocalist Norma Winstone was also an integral part of his band and her performances here are truly sensational. The album was recorded just a few weeks after the death of Joe Harriott, Garrick's dear friend and music-making partner and the album includes a tribute to his genius. This has always been one of my favorite albums and surely one of British Jazz everlasting masterpieces, which remains an essential listening to this very day. Absolute must!

A landmark album from pianist Michael Garrick – one of the sublime recordings he made with vocalist Norma Winstone in the late 60s and early 70s! Garrick's approach is really unique – a flowing, almost modal approach that spirals out in a joyously dancing groove – not nearly as chunky or standard as styles from American jazz, but working in the freer rhythms being explored on the European scene of the time. Winstone's vocals are a perfect accompaniment for this approach – as she sings in a moody style that's often wordless, and which fits nicely next to flowing piano and sax lines on the set. Players include Don Rendell, Coleridge Goode, Art Themen, and Garrick himself – and titles include "Troppo", "To Henry, A Son", "Lime Blossom", "Sons Of Art", and "Overtones Of A Forgotten Music".