Metropolis

This new pressing of the iconic 1971 Mike Westbrook recording cannot be faulted. The sound quality is perfect. The whole presentation reeks of quality. The orchestra line up of London's best young jazz musicians of the 70s is remarkable - and to hear them in this context of themed free form and structured improvisation is a revelation. If you lived in London at that time - or even later, you will hear the typical day progress in the passages. This re-issued record is a justified tribute to this early Westbrook masterpiece. I was lucky enough to see one of the full shows at the Mermaid in London in the 70s and even today it still brings tears to my eyes remembering what London was like in those heady years.

This was my first Mike Westbrook album – I got it on LP around 1977 – and hearing it again after many years I believe it has stood the test of time very well indeed.The re-mastering on this CD is excellent (I picked my copy up in 2014, so the sound problems that blighted the earlier release from BGO appear to have been rectified.)This was a high-point in Westbrook's output at the time; a nine-part extended composition for a 23-piece big-band featuring the cream of British modern jazz talent of the day. The carefully structured piece is comprised of a series of free collective improvisations, simple melodic motifs, solos and chugging jazz-rock motor rhythms underpinning various sections; the ensemble work and orchestration is first-rate and the whole work has a terrifically effective dynamic, with so many stand-out contributions from the musicians involved, culminating in Harry Beckett's lonely flugelhorn solo – typical Beckett, leaking tuned fog into the microphone to the accompaniment of a quietly atmospheric, repeated piano-led figure – and perhaps one of the most bleakly beautiful pieces of music in all British jazz.There's the added benefit of a very good liner note too – the original LP had no supporting information other than the playing order reproduced on the back of the CD.This was recorded at a time when British jazz ceased to merely emulate American models and stepped out with it's own ideas and concepts; “Metropolis” was one of the landmarks of that process and deserves a place in your music collection - it remains a powerful listening experience, well worth discovering if you are unacquainted with Westbrook's big-band work.

This album is truly uplifting. When the band hits a groove the power is magnificent. The playing is top class with many well-managed, changing moods. It's hard to single out any one musician, there are so much extraordinary talent here, but Harry Beckett's solo on Part IX is absolutely beautiful.

Many bands back then did experimental jazz, but really it was an excuse to ramble. Music is as much about unifying rythmns, harmonies and melodies as it is about skilful playing. The band all coming togther is tremnendoius, but its too rare an event on this album. Another expressio for experimental jazz is 'self-indulgent twiddling'

Just rediscovered Mike and Kate Westbrook. Extraordinary stuff, goes from utter madness to absolute bliss.

Got this as I have Solid Gold Cadillac stuff and this sits well with that.

Worth every penny for just the divine Harry Beckett solo, let alone the rest.

Great musical imagination.Very well played and recorded by the best players of the London jazz scene.A very important historical document.