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Mike Osborne: Dawn
By
Mike Westbrook
composer / conductorb.1936
Osborne recorded the first six tunes in London, during two gigs in August and December of 1970, with
Harry Miller
bassb.1941

Louis Moholo-Moholo
drums1940 - 2025

John Surman
saxophoneb.1944
These dates are worthy of note. By 1966 pop had eclipsed jazz as the sound of young Britain. By 1970 the rise of progressive rock meant that many forward-thinking jazz players were gaining popularity through collaborations with outfits such as

King Crimson
band / ensemble / orchestrab.1969

Keith Tippett
piano1947 - 2020
Osborne himself collaborated with folk guitarist and songwriter Mike Cooper, alongside his career in the top flight of UK jazz. His work with

Stan Tracey
piano1926 - 2013
Chris McGregor
b.1936
Alan Skidmore
saxophoneb.1942
Dawn offers further proof of Osborne's talent. His own compositions, such as "Scotch Pearl" and the surprisingly catchy "TBD," are bursting with life, tunes that celebrate the joy of making music with Osborne's alto weaving complex, snaking but melodic lines. "Dawn" and "1st" demonstrate his more reflective approach to composition and playing, akin to the spiritual jazz of

John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967

Pharoah Sanders
saxophone, tenor1940 - 2022
Across much of this music Miller plays what could be termed a walking bass line. However, the term diminishes his power and his pace. The lines jog, at least, and in full flow on

Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940
Dawn is an important historical document. That alone justifies its release. Of course, historical documents don't always entertainthat's not their primary function. Thankfully, Dawn is historically important and entertaining. Osborne and his colleagues are on terrific form, bursting with ideas and barely controllable energy, a reminder that late-60s UK jazz may have operated in the commercial shadows but it basked in the creative sunlight. ">
Track Listing
Scotch Pearl; Dawn; Jack Rabbit; TBC; 1st; TBD; Seven By Seven; And Now The Queen; An Idea; Aggression.
Personnel
Mike Osborne
saxophone, altoMike Osborne: alto saxophone; Harry Miller: bass; Louis Moholo Moholo: drums (1-6); John Surman: tenor saxophone (7-10); Alan Jackson: drums (7-10).
Album information
Title: Dawn | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records
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