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Norma Winstone: Edge of Time
This reissue features many of the most significant musicians in British jazz of the late 1960s and 70s. It also benefits from imaginative compositions and arrangements by
John Taylor
piano1942 - 2015
John Warren
composer / conductorb.1938
Neil Ardley
composer / conductor
John Surman
saxophoneb.1944
Norma Winstone
vocalsb.1941
The opening, title track written by Taylor and Winstone is a memorable exploration of both arrangement and improvisation in equal measure. A tentative beginning gives way to a dynamic brass arrangement accompanying a lyrical song, Winstone's voice ever-soaring and whooping. By contrast, the second track "Perkins Landing," a ballad by Warren and Winstone is a quieter affair with satisfying brass arrangement, featuring solos by Winstone and notably, Malcolm Griffiths on trombone.
"Enjoy this Day," the longest track, again penned by Taylor and Winstone, encapsulates the zeitgeist of this special but brief period in British jazz, evoking at various times the music of
Mike Westbrook
composer / conductorb.1936
Michael Garrick
piano1933 - 2011
Ian Carr
trumpet1933 - 2009
Kenny Wheeler
flugelhorn1930 - 2014
Alan Skidmore's ethereal flute, accompanied, by piano and bass, heralds a plangent opening to "Erebus (Son of Chaos)" slowly building into a high octane number with strident, haunting brass ensemble passages, vocal ululating improvisation, and on this track only, Gary Boyle on electric guitar. The culmination of a repeated riff in the final passage of this powerful composition perfectly typifies the writing skills of John Surman at his best.
On the short "Songs for a Child," an Annie Ross-like opening soon evolves into elegant wordless singing over a background of piano and Art Themen's lilting soprano saxophone duetting with the voice. The diffident vocal opening of the penultimate track "Shadows" transmutes into a fast paced rhythmical outing showcasing Henry Lowther's deft trumpet soloing, whilst the whole track is embellished by Winstone's masterly, tonally flexible vocals. The final, short track, "Song of Love" is a gentle ballad featuring voice and a drum-less quintet comprising flute, bass clarinet, trumpet, vibes and bass.
This is a very welcome digipak reissue of a notable album, for too long unavailable. Not for nothing was Norma Winstone voted top female singer for three years running in the Melody Maker jazz polls from 1971-1973, and this, her first solo album, originally released in 1972, is surely one of the reasons. ">
Track Listing
Track Listing: Edge of Time; Perkins Landing; Enjoy this Day; Erebus (Son of Chaos); Songs for a Child; Shadows; Song of Love.
Personnel
Norma Winstone
vocalsNorma Winstone: Voice; Henry Lowther: Trumpet, Flugelhorn (Tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 7), Kenny Wheeler: Trumpet, Flugelhorn (Tracks: 2 to 4); Alan Skidmore: Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute (Tracks 1 to 4, 7) Mike Osborne: Alto Saxophone, Clarinet (Tracks 2, 3, 4); Gary Boyle: Guitar (Tracks 4); John Taylor: Piano, Electric Piano (Tracks 1 to 6); Art Themen: Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Bass Clarinet (Tracks 1 to 5, 7); Chris Pyne: Trombone (Tracks 2 to 3, 4); Malcolm Griffiths: Trombone (Tracks 1 to 4); Paul Rutherford: Trombone, Euphonium (Tracks 1 to 4); Chris Laurence: Bass (Tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7); Tony Levin: Drums (Tracks: 1 to 4, 6); Frank Ricotti: Vibraphone (Tracks 1, 7)
Album information
Title: Edge of Time | Year Released: 2014 | Record Label: Dusk Fire
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