The History of British Jazz Rock in 10 Albums

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[@donaldanderson6604]

I've been a Barbara Thompson fan since 1980. We booked Paraphernalia for a university gig in Leeds . The gig was packed to the rafters and I had the pleasure of counting out the cash for the band in the back of their van at the end of the night. I've never enjoyed parting with other people's money quite so much. I'd vote for Wilde Tales but there are so many fine albums to choose from.

[@jdmresearch]

I think Keith Tippett and his crew (Marc Charig, Nick Evans, Harry Miller, Elton Dean) had a role, though independent. He was the bridge between King Crimson and Soft Machine, and I'm sure they played a role in Soft Machine's transformation into jazz rock.

[@scottmcgregor4829]

Brian auger seems to be crimally forgotten on almost every list.

[@rothwellaudio]

Gary Boyle is a mate of mine. If you wanted to interview him, I could ask him if he'd be interested in doing that.

[@paulcowham2095]

I randomly met Gary Boyle about 13-14 years ago. I had been doing some recording with a singer songwriter mate of mine at a studio in North Manchester, run by John Ellis, a great musician who plays mostly keys. John had a jazz gig with Boyle (and maybe others) later that eve. We were packing up, and Gary turned up with his guitar. We had a very pleasant few minutes chatting with him before we left. He was a really nice unassuming gentleman, and at least per his wikipedia page, is still alive. I had no idea of his history until I googled him after I got home.

[@neilloughran4437]

Loved this Andy! British Jazz Rock isn't something that's that well known... Should Dave Stewart's bands have been mentioned here perhaps?

[@allansmith1890]

IF and Manfred Mann chapter 3 were pretty good.

[@88klac]

Finally, you get around to mentioning Colloseum! I alwayw wondered why you never talked about them. They were one of my favourite bands when Valentyne Suite came out, I had several of their albums and I saw them live twice, one with the original lineup and later with Chris Farlowe on vocals. They were a great live band and I am surprrised that as a drummer, Andy, you hadn't talked especially about Jon Hiseman, a great drummer, who somehow was very underrated.

[@grahamnunn8998]

Neil Murray was everywhere, National Health, Whitesnake, Gary Moore,,,

[@deanoppergoalieclinics834]

BRAND X, just got here!!!

[@arvidsson56]

In between Colosseum and Colosseum II Jon Hiseman had a group called Tempest.

[@user-km1uq9dt3v]

Thanks Andy, another fascinating talk from you. Lots to go and listen to.

[@oolongoolong789]

Andy, well done for finally doing a video on the very underrated British jazz rock/fusion tradition. I would include Henry Cow in this tradition - their stunning first album 'Leg End' certainly has a jazz rock vibe. What was called "Brass Rock" (another name for jazz rock) in the early 70s includes IF (who you mentioned), but also more obscure British bands like Mogul Thrash, Heaven, CCS, Samurai and Brainchild. The albums by these short-lived bands are well worth checking out.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

The other person who was heavily influenced by Miles Davis (and John Coltrane) was Mike Ratledge. Ornette Coleman (and Jimmy Garrison) was a huge influence on Hugh Hopper - in addition to Zappa. Robert Wyatt had said his ideal group would be the Charles Mingus Quintet. Mix in Terry Riley (who was an improvising minimalist influenced by Chet Baker) is a a bundle of jazz. The Soft Machine organ sound was a circumstance because Ratledge could not afford a Hammond! Their jazz influences are much more transparent than the Mothers' jazz influences were. SM were influenced by the Mothers, but so were the Beatles, Jethro Tull, Family, the Nice and ELP!

[@JJJJJVVVVVLLLLL]

learning a ton from this channel.

[@matthew9488]

excellent - so much to ponder here - including the trickle of influences into 80s pop. thanks Andy.

[@stephenbudd3771]

I commend you Andy, you really know your stuff. Made me go re-buy ‘If 2’ vinyl and Zzebra for the 1st time !

[@meeckemann5692]

Wonderful episode! Thank you!

[@FallenOverture]

I grew up in Luton during the late 60s/early 70s. When my friends and I were in our teens and early twenties we were fortunate enough to have a local venue called the Royal Hotel, right near the railway station. It had music several nights a week programmed by a guy called Tim Burton. He was an upright bass player in a free jazz/improv outfit, and he knew loads of jazzers in London. Consequently, he booked some amazing stuff into the Royal. Barbara Thompson/ Paraphernalia were regularly on there, as were another great jazz rock outfit called Landscape (their bassist Andy Pask wrote the theme to The Bill). Landscape later morphed into a sort of electro pop band and had a minor hit with Einstein A-gogo. I saw Brian Godding, Derek Bailey, Anthony Braxton and Evan Parker there. I saw Back Door there and Quantum Jump with Rupert Hine, John G Perry on bass and the wonderful Trevor Morais on drums. I saw John Stevens’ Away there too. As a result, I own six of the albums on this list. When punk/post punk happened, Tim Burton also booked some seminal bands including the Damned, The Soft Boys, Tubeway Army (featuring Gary Numan), and I believe Magazine and the Comsat Angels also played there though I didn’t see them. It was like having a university degree course in British alternative music on your doorstep. I don’t know where Tim Burton is nowadays but his programming of that venue and the music it made available to me and my friends shaped and changed the course of my life - something for which I remain truly grateful.

[@garygomesvedicastrology]

For me, 1968 to 1971 was a golden era for this field....I like it when the bands are exploring the limits (which is why I love the first 5 Soft Machine albums, among others)