Play 90 second soundbite of 'Kater Street Rag' @ 'CD quality'
Radio was stiff-upper-lipped and regimented and our Nation was more or less told what to listen to on the radio. There wasn't much choice, there wasn't much going on that was exciting or even remotely fresh. Things changed when jazz slowly eased its way into our homes and some of the most influential jazz musicians and band leaders started to re-shape our understanding and appreciation of a musical art-form that brought a feeling of hope, joy and emotional musical awareness.
Inspired by the great jazz bands of America, Lyttelton and his contemporaries brought jazz to the British public and made it much more accessible than it had been. This tasty double album, 'Humphrey Lyttelton', is just one in a series of equally fine works being issued to celebrate and remember what many still consider to be the golden age of jazz in Britain. The series, 'Just About As Good As It Gets!', allows the music lover to re-visit, or perhaps discover, some of the finest moments in British jazz. The sort of sounds and textures that whetted my appetite and helped shape my life-long interest in music of all forms. Some of my earliest musical recollections are from the '50's, listening to my older bro's 'Humph' records on the basic 'audio' equipment available then - scratchy, tinny and raw - but that's all we knew and it was 'fine'!!
This Humphrey Lyttelton compilation gives you access to the original recordings from 1948 to 1956 - forty-four tracks in all - a pretty big chunk of warm, vibrant jazz in all its early glory; the basic recording techniques back then don't detract at all from the excellent music and musicianship - it actually sounds great to hear jazz that's pure and without some of over-embellishment made possible in the studio nowadays. This is genuine, the real deal - and, it's actually really good!
Purists may say that the recordings should be left as they were, on 78rpm wax records, warts 'n' all. But, like it or not, re-visiting works such as this and lifting them onto CD does no harm what so ever - compilations such as this increase longevity and ensures access to this important stage of musical development. So, if you're at all jazzy - this Humphrey Lyttelton release is well worth seeking out - get it, enjoy it, re-visit and remember. Cool stuff!!
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