CHARLES FOX

The fact that all the new LPs I've chosen were recorded on this side of the Atlantic is, I suppose, slightly symbolic. Nevertheless, the ambience of Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath—"Brotherhood" (RCA SF8260, 2/73)—is not so much European as African, with a repertoire that mingles kwela with further-out sounds. In "Westering Home" (Island HELP10, 2/73) John Surman multi-tracked himself playing a variety of instruments as well as his normal bass clarinet and baritone and soprano saxes. Instead of being just a one-man-band novelty it illustrates Surman's potential as a composer. Surman is also to be heard, but performing more conventionally, on John McLaughlin's "Extrapolation" (Polydor 2310 018, 11/73), a brilliant example of small group improvising. Although "The Giants of Jazz" (WEA Atlantic K600282 records, 4/73) are all American, they were recorded at a London concert in 1971. Art Blakey's drumming seemed to force the best out of everyone; certainly neither Thelonious Monk nor Dizzy Gillespie have sounded so good for years. As far as reissues go, I've plumped for a couple of classic items: Charles Mingus's "Tijuana Moods" (RCA LSA3I 17, 3/73) is, quite simply, one of the finest records by one of the most remarkable jazz composers since Ellington, while "At His Very Best" (RCA mono LSA3071, 1/73) is the ideal title for an LP of performances—including Harlem Air Shaft and Concerto for Cootie—by the great Duke Ellington Orchestra of the early 1940s.

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