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Michael Garrick - Michael Garrick Septet - Black Marigolds (1968)

Track listing:
  1. Webster's Mood 6:55
  2. Jazz For Five 8:53
  3. Good Times 6:56
  4. Spiders 2:07
  5. Ursula 5:46
  6. A Jazz Nativity 3:39
  7. Black Marigolds 3:35
  8. What Are Little Girls 2:45
  9. Carolling 3:22

Notes

Size: 86.0 MB
Bitrate: 256
mp3
Ripped by: ChrisGoesRock
Artwork Included

It’s strange how musical fashions change and what was once neglected can suddenly become comprehensible and, literally, listenable again. British jazz has long been noted for its (opposite) extremes of free improv and fusion but what was in the middle – mainstream modern jazz – fell out of fashion circa 1965, barely surviving outside of Soho. But thanks to Giles Peterson & the post trip-hop folks this music is being thoroughly rehabilitated. If you enjoyed the “Impressed” compilations you may be tempted to start getting the Michael Garrick reissues. Garrick is an acquired taste but “Black Marigolds” (recorded early 1966) has some really good stuff, featuring outstanding tunes like “Ursula” & “Websters Mood,” beautifully arranged, and played by an all star line up (Harriott, Carr, Rendell, Coe et al). There’s also some intriguing Garrick miniatures for harpsichord & celeste. Move over Sun Ra. Be warned however that there is also some extended “jazz poetry” which, for me at least, remains unlistenable…

Joe Harriott, Ian Carr, Don Rendell, Michael Garrick, these are some of the cream of British jazz. It is a scandal, particularly in this on-ilne Amazon and I-tunes age, that so little of this stuff is available. One just has to compare Stan Tracey's discography with what is actually available to see that there is a whole world of brilliant British jazz that is locked away and should be out there.

I personally quite like the poetry here although I do think that the poetic introductions and links on BBC TVs attempt to revive jazz on television afew years back was the reason that it failed, That programme out Jazz Clubbed the Fast Show despite some excellent performances.

There is so much good stuff in here; it is a delight, don't be affraid of the poetry it won't bite, at least not in a bad way.

Get cool; Get Hep: Get Black Marigolds and hear what wonders that the British jazz scene has produced. Then get lobbying record companies to release more of the treasures that remain locked away.

01.Webster's Mood
02.Jazz For Five
03.Good Times
04.Spiders
05.Ursula
06.A Jazz Nativity
07.Black Marigolds
08.What Are Little Girls?
09.Carolling