Shades of Blue was the first Lansdowne outing of the Rendell Carr Quintet, and is an interesting contrast to the increasingly idiosyncratic and complex later works. If those later ’60s albums were landmarks in truly British modern jazz, this first 1964 recording reflects more American influence.

 

Due to overwhelming demand for Jazzman Records' five-LP boxset - the first ever official individual reissues of all five of the iconic Lansdowne recording sessions by the legendary UK jazz combo, the Don Rendell-Ian Carr Quintet. The five albums; 1965's Shades Of Blues, 1966's Dusk Fire (JMAN 108X-LP), 1968's Phase III (JMAN 109X-LP), 1969's Change Is (JMAN 111X-LP), and 1969's Live (JMAN 110X-LP), have reached almost mythical status in the collector's world.

 

Jazzman Records located and acquired the original analog master tapes from the Universal vaults and created masters at Abbey Road Studios to produce audiophile quality 180 gram pressings replete with replica artwork - shape, design, and even paper stock. No stone has been left unturned to deliver this absolute labor of love to the highest possible standard.

 

Inside is a link to a printable online pdf which contains never before seen photographs, interviews with the remaining living band members and liner notes from BBC Radio 3 presenter, and award-winning jazz writer Alyn Shipton. The band played together for seven years and during this fruitful time they made a plethora of deeply melodic, post-bop British jazz compositions that later on took influences from Indo and more spiritually guided jazz.

 

Produced by the influential Denis Preston and recorded at his Lansdowne Studios in London, the band was primarily made up of saxophonist Don Rendell, trumpeter/composer Ian Carr, and pianist/composer Michael Garrick.

 

This is UK jazz at it's absolute finest and is a treasure not to be missed.

 

Original replica flipback color sleeves; 180 gram vinyl, mastered from the original master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, London; poly-lined and printed individual inner sleeves; contains link to online PDF with printable liner notes.

 

Personnel:

 

DAVE GREEN, bass

TREVOR TYOMKINS, drums

COLIN PURBROOK, piano

DON RENDELL, tenor sax

IAN CARR, trumpet, flugelhorn

 

Recorded in London, October October 1 & 2, 1964.

 

Tracklisting:

 

A1. Blue Mosque

A2. Latin Blue

A3.Just Blue

A4. Sailin'

B1. Garrison

B2. Blue Doom

B3. Shades Of Blue

B4. Big City Strutr