A double-length set from Mike Westbrook -- issued briefly by RCA at the end of the 70s, and one of Mike's headiest efforts from the time! The format here is a bit of a concept album -- a tribute to the grittier side of Chicago, served up in a mix of older jazz modes and some of the more modern ones that we always associate with Westbrook's music -- a blend that comes off surprisingly well, and nicely free from any of the cliches or musical traps you might expect from such a project! Some numbers feature vocals from Kate Westbrook, who sings in a relatively straight style, or from Phil Milton -- but the real stars of the set are almost the instrumental soloists, who help voice some of the best moments here -- with a depth and sense of soul that really makes this one stand out in the Westbrook catalog of the 70s. Soloists include Mick Page on tenor and soprano sax, Christ Hunter on alto, Malcolm Griffiths on trombone, and Phil Milton on trumpet -- and titles include "Mama Chicago 1", "Senator's Song", "Mama Chicago 2", "Voyage", "Shipwrecked Sailor", "Windy City", "Concrete", and "Titanic Song" - Dusty Groove |
ARTISTS
Mike Westbrook (piano, euphonium, tuba); Phil Minton (trumpet, vocals); Kate Westbrook (tenor horn, piccolo, vocals); Mick Page (tenor sax, soprano sax); Chris Hunter (alto sax, soprano sax, flute); Dave Barry (drums, percussion); Malcolm Griffiths (trombone, bass trombone) |