sidewinder

Boy, you aren't kidding. I can't remember a year like this in many a year. I'm tempted to say 1978-81 but at least then there were major new releases by Miles ('Circle In The Round', 'Water Babies' etc), some new Blue Note LP issues from the vaults (Rainbow Series) and Pablo was putting stuff out with gusto, like there was no tomorrow. And King and Toshiba in Japan were in their Blue Note/Pac Jazz reissue element.. Having said that, there's some cracking obscurities being miraculously re-issued at the mo' (ie. Kenny Wheeler 'Windmill Tilter').

Dr Demento Boris Pickett Wilson Pickett

About time I did another BFT ! Download please - many thanks.

Captain Bob Barclay Brothers Dirty Digger

Giving this box a long-overdue re-spin, starting from disk 6 'The Prisoner' and working back.

Cal Massey Maynard Fergusson General MacArthur

Have just been listening again to 'Lifeline' and 'Full Circle' by the John Dankworth Orchestra on Philips vinyl - both of these are well overdue for reissue and comparable to the orchestral writing standards of 'Windmill Tilter'. A slightly later, early 70s Dankworth Orchestra ('Full Circle' has a Wheeler arrangement on it) and much to admire on these LPs.

I'm intrigued. I don't remember any voices on that one - other than Ronnie S. doing his usual intro comedy spiel. I'll have to dig out the 2LP set (MPS/BASF) - it's been a while since I listened to it.

Helen Keller Casper Keller Casper the Ghost

As previously mentioned - your LPs will be fine. If not, I will have already trashed several gems

Same here. I think it's a white label promo.

John Dankworth Orchestra 'Lifeline' (Philips, stereo)

Sparks Rubettes Showaddywaddy

What I find intriguing is that this CD seems to be remastered from original tapes provided by Universal UK and is not a vinyl rip (at least according to the credits on the cover). Yet I'd always had the understanding that the master tapes had been lost. Alyn Shipton's notes don't shed any light on this - maybe they just had an extra thorough search this time. Now this one is in the bag, maybe we should all re-launch a campaign for 'Hum Dono' and 'Afro Jazz'. Maybe send a petition to Eric Pickles (seems to work for most things ).

I've used the Disco Antistat in the past (originates from Germany I think) but I found that it leaves a lot of gunk which clogs up the stylus and also has a tendency to damage the LP labels due to compression of the disks. Didn't last long with it !

Lily Bolero Lily Allen Allen Eager

Having bought it, there's now a price reduction to £7.99 at Amazon UK.

Thanks for the mention of that site. I was reading the interview with Bob Downes posted on there. Very interesting !

What Bob Downes is that, Sidewinder? 'Electric City' - remastered and reissued on Esoteric. They have also put out 'Open Music/Dream Journey' (originally on Philips), which will be my next order. 'Electric City' is pretty wild and sort of psychadelic in parts - in the same genre as that MFP LP 'Deep Down Heavy'. Not so sure I like Bob's vocals - but there's some fine sax and flute from him on this one ! Plus Chris Spedding, Ray Russell and Harry Miller.

No probs ! Royal Mail have excelled themselves today and the 'Windmill Tilter' CD is now playing (with Bob Downes to follow). 'Don The Dreamer' in digital form now gracing the airwaves. They did a good job with Roger's cover art and Alan Shipton's notes look comprehensive and informative. Some audio improvements too I think - for example Dave Holland's bass comes across with more clarity. Jolly good show !

Dennis Skinner Eric Pickles (again ) Tam Daliel

Earl of Cornwall Jethro The Yetties

'Zeitgeist' is quite third-streamish - and not an easy listen, which may be why it may not have come out yet on CD. In many ways I find it similar in its non-jazz/classical influences to John Mayer's 'Rahda Krishna'. Came out on vinyl on EMI as one of the last of the Lansdowne Series from producer Denis Preston.

That 'Poetry and Jazz 250' Argo box is excellent - in my opinion even better than the separate 'Poetry and Jazz' releases. In particular, some nice background playing by the Rendell/Carr group. It also has 'bags of atmosphere'.

King Bladud Ralph Allen Sally Lunn