Latest offering from the mighty Mark Weinstein whose groundbreaking "Cuban Roots" album remains an OIR essential spin to this day.
Listen to three tracks from the album at Mark's myspace and don't forget to check out his excellent blog Jazzfluteweinstein where his latest post is about the making of "El Cumbanchero".
THE KRAMFORD LOOK - 1970
The Kramford Look - 1970 was sent over to me a while ago by an old friend who formed Wonderfulsound which recently released this modern day library/soundtrack influenced analogue gem.
Jonny Trunk wrote the sleevenotes which do a great job of summing it all up:
"It seems like I was asked to write some notes for this album based on the fact I might spot the references and therefore have something interesting to say about it all. Well the most interesting thing to start with is that I thought the opening track had some singing in it, and then I realized it was just the voices in my own head kind of singing along. Well that’s what I’m hoping it was.
I was also wondering what the Kramford Look is. Or where it is, how it is or when I can spot it happening. Or maybe it doesn’t. Good name though. "Justine" is quite spaghetti western, mixed with a bit of Pink Panther and the Prisoner which conjures up some fairly pleasing imagery. And by "Shoebox at Sea", it goes all sleazy and a bit sexy with some tickly keyboards, a touch of sax and some funny synthesis right at the end bit which could signify something fairly unnatural going on.
Paying careful attention to "Magic Plastic Home" I realised it has a most suitable title, because it’s all a bit sad and futuristic in that peculiar optimistic fashion they had a few decades ago and some still do in parts. It was during this track that I decided to call the label and ask a bit more about the Kramford Look and find out if that was the artist or the title or both. They weren’t that forthcoming but then again maybe my questions were a little vague. Anyway, it turns out that The Kramford Look is the name of the artist. I reckon he’s called something like Keith or Kevin Kramford in real life. Well whatever his real name may be, he knows how to write a melody. Especially for "Magic Plastic Home" (which I listened to twice in a row), where he sets up a sort of early 1970s telly thing with an unexpected wibbly wobbly noise which I very much appreciated. I was still humming the melody as the next number started. "Death Is Alive" is still in the made for TV vein, but earlier sounding with a bit of James Clarke sophistication and possibly a real electronic harpsichord, which anyone truly into esoteric listening goes a bit soft and funny when they hear it.
Then all of a sudden, by the track called Man On Bridge it’s like The Kramford Look got all fed up with referencing the late 60s and mid 70s music for TV and film and flips out with a Bolognese of frenetic techno pieces which sprout a retro head and have a go on a machine I’ve never seen before. Good work. The three words “quite well produced” sprung into my mind here, I was going to say really well produced and then thought that maybe if I got tested about that I might not know the right answers, so better to err on the side of musical caution I reckon. I still like the track though. Would sound great out very loud somewhere a bit fashion where it looks like people have cut their own hair and borrowed their spectacles from the pensioner next door.
Then he goes all funky soul and that, playing the fender Rhodes like a man with a jazz hobby and some mates with interesting trousers. This track could easily be lifted from the Blue Note period when the sleeves went all shit.
And then, before we realize it, he’s sneaked in another musical knod to dramatic library sounds before finishing off with a wade into more psychedelic, smokey waters ("Coast Ghost"). I think The Kramford Look was trying to make himself sound a bit like a woman here and I think it might have worked, but that may well be the voices in my head again. Interesting album I reckon. They may well pass on the sleevenotes though." Jonny Trunk - April 18, 2011.
TONY CROMBIE - WHOLE LOTTA TONY
Those nice chaps at Fantastic Voyage have been busy dusting off and reissuing some great British jazz dates from the Ember label.
"Whole Lotta Tony" and Ronnie Ross' "Stompin' With The Ronnie Ross Quintet" hit the racks on December 5th - I've got the Crombie date playing now and it's excellent.
3 cuts from each album are up exclusively on Soundcloud for OIR followers lugholes :
Tony Crombie soundcloud samples
Ronnie Ross soundcloud samples
They've already reissued The London Jazz Quartet set featuring Tubby Hayes which is well worth shelling out for...nice prices too which won't break the bank.
2 comments made-how about you?:
Obviously no links to dload these albums - all can be bought on the interwebs with ease.
First stop for me is always Honest Jonsif,like me,you're in the UK.
Well done Bacoso and thanks for the heads up on the releases. It is fantastic the way you champion all these great artists and music...especially the wonderful Mr Weinstein. Keep up the good work.
Post a Comment