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Various Artists: A New Awakening: Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971
But by the early 1960s, the international success of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Animals and many others was having unexpected effects. Not only was the British pop invasion putting American jazzers out of work, it was also giving younger British musicians the confidence to experiment with their own ideas. A new strain began to emerge from the seething petri dish of London—jazz mixed with blues, R&B and rock. This music could be found at its most fervent at the Flamingo, a basement club just down the road from Ronnie Scott's, where the likes of
Georgie Fame
piano and vocalsb.1943
Leaders of slightly larger ensembles, such as
John Dankworth
saxophone1927 - 2010
Mike Westbrook
composer / conductorb.1936
Brian Auger
organ, Hammond B3b.1939
Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940
However, many of the guitarists brought into jazz ensembles to rock up the proceedings had yet to reach the level of the other musicians. Not only that, but the guitar itself was at a crossroads at the time: here at the birth of jazz-rock, should players continue in the clean style of
Joe Pass
guitar1929 - 1994
Jim Hall
guitar1930 - 2013
Eric Clapton
guitar and vocalsb.1945
Jeff Beck
guitar1944 - 2023
Michael Gibbs
tromboneb.1937
Nascent progressive rock bands had sometimes served jazz apprenticeships:
"
data-original-title="" title="">Jethro Tull and Spooky Tooth are both included on this compilation with a couple of flute-led B-sides to singles: the former with the slick up-tempo "One for John Gee" and the latter with "Luger's Groove" (written by someone called Peter Luger, presumably the flautist, who was not a member of the band). One extraordinary musical journey—typical of many—was that taken by trumpet-player Mike Cotton
trumpetb.1939
At the same time as
The Beatles
band / ensemble / orchestra
Joe Harriott
saxophone1928 - 1973
Harold McNair
b.1931One of the few vocals in this set is "Where Am I Going" by Manfred Mann Chapter Three, reminding us of that band's very fine eponymous 1969 album, recorded in a conscious effort to put pop behind them after a string of hit singles throughout the 1960s.
It is impossible to do justice to all 48 tracks in a review. A New Awakening is a compilation whose greatest attribute is its insight into the creative ferment that was Britain during the period in question. For every experiment that does not quite work, there are five more that do. This should inspire listeners to go looking for the original albums. ">
Track Listing
Storm Warning (Dick Morrissey Quartet); Watermelon Man (Davey Graham); Tan Same (Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet); Overture (Joe Harriott Double Quintet); Return from the Ashes (John Dankworth Orchestra); Wade in the Water (Graham Bond Organization); No Thanks (George Fame); Two Autumns (Mike Taylor Trio); A Greeting (Mike Westbrook Concert Band); Shepherd's Serenade (Joe Harriott Quintet); Ursula (Michael Garrick Septet); Dear Johnny B (Tubby Hayes Quartet); In Time (Pentangle); The Hipster (Harold McNair); One for John Gee (Jethro Tull); Luger's Groove (Spooky Tooth); Troublemaker (John Cameron Quartet); Down Another Road (Graham Collier Sextet); Binky's Beam (John McLaughlin); One Green Eye (Don Rendell/Ian Carr Quintet); Angle (New Jazz Orchestra); Sweet Dulcinea Blue (Ken Wheeler with John Dankworth Orchestra); Some Echoes, Some Shadows (Michael Gibbs); Harpsichord Shuffle (Wynder K. Frog); The Beard (Jasper); Where Am I Going (Manfred Mann Chapter Three); Those About to Die (Colosseum); Premonition (Keef Hartley Band); Elastic Rock (Nucleus); Maiden Voyage (Brian Auger and the Trinity); A Day in the Life (Affinity); Voodoo Forest (Johnny Almond Music Machine); Over the Cliff (Jack Bruce); Dragon Song (Brian Auger's Oblivion Express); Can I Have My Paperback Back (Ray Russell Quartet); What Did I Say About the Box, Jack? (If); The Forest of Fables (Chris Spedding); Joachim (The Trio); Sharing (Satisfaction); A New Awakening (Julie Driscoll); Keep Off the Grass (Bob Downes Open Music); Is It Loud? (Trifle); Epiphany (Garrick's Fairground); Song for the Bearded Lady (Nucleus); Earth Bound Hearts (John McLaughlin); Seldom Seen Sam (If); And Think Again (John Taylor); So It Is (Mike Osborne)
Album information
Title: A New Awakening: Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971 | Year Released: 2025 | Record Label: Strawberry Records
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