“I consider this Paraphernalia video to be an important part of our legacy – there’s something really special about everyone’s contribution.”
Jon Hiseman, from the 2010 book ‘Playing The Band’ by Martyn Hanson, published by Temple Music
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Martyn Hanson writes: What a pleasant surprise that a band that had been going on and off for five decades could come up with such a strong, not to say eclectic, album. Pete Feenstra, for Get Ready to Rock, beautifully sums it up: ‘Given the virtual collapse of the jazz rock and fusion market in the interim period between the band’s original dissolution and their comeback in 1994, the album’s title has an ironic ring about it. On their last studio album Tomorrow’s Blues they traded their former progressive style for a more mature blues feel, but this album has a surprisingly broader sweep.’ Jon reinforced this feeling in an interview just after the release: ‘It’s amazing what appeals to one person is quite different to another. I have people who swear the best track is ‘You Just Don’t Get It’ and why is it so late on the album. Others go for Ana Gracey’s ‘Blues to Music’. I like ‘The Way You Waved Goodbye’. So I hope [there’s] something for everyone.’ This, the final Colosseum studio album featuring master drummer Jon, was released 11 years after Tomorrow’s Blues. Those into Roman numerals would have got the year straightaway, as the cover has the numerals MMXIV = 2014. -
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This double CD is the first Colosseum work to feature Barbara Thompson after Dick passed away. It contains songs from both the then recent studio albums, Bread & Circuses and Tomorrow’s Blues. However, the title of the album makes a firm connection with their classic live album Colosseum Live from 1971. The review from Prog Archives was full of praise and enthusiasm: ‘It is simply thrilling! ‘The Valentyne Suite’ as an example here. It starts in a classic way, with a motive run by organ supported with a saxophone. However, the bass line is run in a different way and it indicates certain surprises. The piano and saxophone duo is wonderful mainly thanks to the reliable Barbara, who then shows her skills in a beautiful, sober solo part, followed by a dynamic solo part from Dave on Hammond organ. The second part starts in a sweet and melancholic way. The vocals of Mark Clarke [are] a masterpiece, and then another saxophone solo entrance.’ Barbara really adds something to ‘February’s Valentyne’ with her contribution.' The album was recorded in 2005 and released in 2007 and we are offering limited copies here at a specially discounted price. -
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Specially produced by Jazz In Britain in partnership with Cure Parkinson’s and Temple Music with all net profits being donated to Cure Parkinson’s. 'First Light' will be released on 2nd June, the day of the memorial concert being held for Barbara Thompson at the Union Chapel in Islington, London. The disc will be launched at the concert, but is available to pre-order for those unable to attend the gig.
Presented in a replica gatefold card sleeve, the album features three recently discovered, previously un-released, early seventies Barbara Thompson sessions. The earliest session from 1971 features the first ever appearance of Group E and may be one of the very few times that Barbara played with Blue Notes bassist Johnny Dyani. The second session is also interesting in that it’s a fairly big, 12-piece, band including some very famous name soloists and consists of a three-part suite called The Awakening. Featured soloists are Barbara, Don Rendell, Henry Lowther (on violin) and Barbara’s husband Jon Hiseman. The third session is a very early version of the band Jubiaba, recorded nearly 6 years before their first album was released, and again features a superb group of musicians including Trevor Tomkins and Ian Carr.All international orders will be shipped by our EU-based partner; this means that EU orders will stay within the Single Market - therefore no Customs import charges for EU customers.
Jazz In Britain was very fortunate recently to receive a large collection of reel tapes and discover three early seventies Barbara Thompson sessions amongst it, sessions that we don’t believe have been circulated before. We proposed to Barbara’s daughter Ana Gracey that we produce an album using these three sessions as a way of raising extra money for Cure Parkinson’s. The audio fidelity of these sessions reflects the fact that they were recorded on a very low speed tape machine but they presented a wonderful opportunity to create something special to raise funds for the Parkinson’s charity. They’re very interesting sessions nonetheless and well worth hearing. The earliest session from 1971 features the first ever appearance of Group E and may be one of the very few times that Barbara played with Blue Notes bassist Johnny Dyani. The second session is also interesting in that it’s a fairly big, 12-piece, band including some very famous name soloists and consists of a three-part suite called The Awakening. Featured soloists are Barbara, Don Rendell, Henry Lowther (on violin) and Barbara’s husband Jon Hiseman. The third session is a very early version of the band Jubiaba, recorded nearly 6 years before their first album was released, and again features a superb group of musicians including Trevor Tomkins and Ian Carr. Fans will not only be getting some very interesting music but, at the same time, making a donation to the charity which is doing crucial work on the disease from which Barbara Thompson suffered for many years.