AFFINITY Live Instrumentals 1969 Angel Air SJPCD135 (2003)
This is the third Affinity related release from Angel Air and, my God, it's superb. Previously hidden gems from the late sixties, this
latest offering will transport you back to a smokey jazz club (Ronnie Scott's) with nine live tracks recorded in January 1969 and at a time when long sideburns and frizzy hair was de rigueur ... and that was just the women! Some jazz standards
expertly played and some less familiar, this is a real archive find. The music hasn't dated at all.
Whilst this writer would have you check out the earlier reissue featuring the marvellous Linda Hoyle on vocals, this live gig
was recorded at a time when Linda was recovering from a throat operation and is therefore completely instrumental.
There is some great Hammonding from Lynton Naiff and authoritative jazz rock chops from Mike Jopp. Bassist Mo Foster went on to work with Ray Fenwick in Fancy and Jeff Beck amongst others but this release captures
a superb band and drips with cool soul jazz that is perhaps now best enjoyed with a good wine, and with the headphones on.
Nice.
***** Out of this world | **** Pretty
damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly
