sidewinder

That's very true - that the independent sector schools have the big advantages of pupils from generally affluent backgrounds, with stable home environments and usually with aspirational parents that are ambitious that they do well. I find it both sad and worrying that there's been this drain over recent years of some of the more gifted kids from state schools into the private sector by parents who seem to have given up on the state system and who have their best interest at heart (often at massive financial sacrifice to themselves). It's a shame where we can't achieve the results of somewhere like, say, Germany - where a balanced state sector predominates and private schooling (at least it used to be) the preserve of rich dunces !

St Thomas Aquinas Sonny Rollins St Thomas a Beckett

Well - even the old Colleges of Higher Education are calling themselves 'Universities' these days so no surprise that there's a vast range of standards. It's bound to happen when one of the the objectives of the people up top is to put as many people as possible through a 'University' system - including what are essentially vocational qualifications. Not to knock vocational qualifications one bit - in my own field of engineering they are every bit as valuable as the academic aspects. The HNC/HND and City & Guilds qualifications were and are very valuable to employers. I have to say though that I see quite a few young engineers coming through the sausage machine and I can't say I've seen any noticeable overall improvement in standards. As ever, some very talented people come through the system but from observation but I'm afraid that I have to say that basic literacy and understanding of fundamental physical principles has gone down somewhat. Sorry to have to say it but by and large, the (State) schools are really not fulfilling their primary objectives !

Saw Patrice in a Miles tribute years ago with Bennie Maupin (on bass clarinet), Wallace Roney, Adam Holzman and Lennie White. It rocked !

Yeah, I always wondered what happened to Albert. Nice dude - shame he didn't come over to org.

Hi chewy - Perkins is on flute and alto flute, no sax. It is not a 'funky' album but more 'MOR' in a mid-60s way ie. sort of easy listening. The small group tracks are latin-tinged and would be a good accompaniment for sipping cocktails . The larger group tracks are a bit more folk-influenced and more obviously Venezuelan (no pan-pipes though, thank goodness). It's worth checking out. Small group is Feldman, Bill Perkins (flute/alto flute), Dennis Budimir (spanish and electric guitar), Monty Budwig (bass) and Colin Bailey (drums). Emil Richards on vibes and harp and 2 percussionists added for the bigger group.

Yep, definite Les Baxter influence in the 'exotica' element of Sun Ra's 1950s recordings, in particular.

What's happening to the standards of GCSE's and 'A' levels, Bev? Over the past 10 years the percentages passing these things has gone up and up and up and it totally reeks of grade deflation. At one time to get 8 or 9 good GCSEs at grades A to C was viewed as top notch but these days every kid seems to get it. As for 'A' levels, the Universities now seem to be saying they are hardly worth the paper they are written on. I remember the day when three/four A-levels at grades A and B was an outstanding achievement that would get you into Oxbridge but again, it is very common now and no longer a discriminator. Methinks the plot has been completely lost...

Max Roach - 'Long As You're Living' (Enja, mono)

(back to the 70s militant union theme ) Derek Ezra Jack Jones Hugh Scanlon

Unfortunately the only thing most of this lot have managed before getting into office has been the school tuck shop (and I'll bet they screwed that up too) ! They have no practical experience of the hard graft of business. Thinking about this over-promoted rabble quite recently, it clicked just where I'd come across their ilk before. Neo-Marxist National Union of Students sabbatical loud-mouths stirring up meeting after pointless meeting for the new students back in the late 70s (ie. me) who just want to get on with their work ! The cynic in me suspects that Darling is playing an 'expectation management' game ie. tell the plebs that things are the worst for 60 years and then no matter how bad things actually turn out they'll forgive him and Gordon. Maybe even thank them for a 'job well done'. Meanwhile the Hyena chortles away in his Middle-Eastern abode...

It sounds as soggy as a wet face-towel but perhaps I'm wrong. What's this one like, chewy?

To quote: "We're doomed' ! " What a great Manager this guy is. Scares half the population with tales of doom and gloom instead of actually managing the situation, which is - at the end of the day - what he's paid to do. 60-year low is also total BS. The early 80s were, from my recollection, much worse.

Didn't the 'P's in the runout stop towards the end of the NY USA period? From a previous thread response posted by Peter A. :- "As far as I know the following pre-4226 BN originals have no ear: 4118 DonaldByrd - Free Form 4171 George Braith - Extension 4193 Art Blakey - Indestructible 4196 Freddie Hubbard - Blue Spirits 4203 Andrew Hill - Andrew!! 4204 Dexter Gordon - Gettin' Around 4206 Sam Rivers - Contours 4209 Hank Mobley - Dippin' 84212 Lee Morgan - The Gigolo 4213 Bobby Hutcherson - Components 4215 Jackie McLean - Right Now! 4217 Andrew Hill - Compulsion!!!! 4218 Jackie McLean - Action 4219 Wayne Shorter - The All Seeing Eye 4222 Lee Morgan - Cornbread" BN 4226 was 'Mode For Joe' I believe.

Soft Machine 'Seven' (UK CBS stereo) Barbara Thompson's Paraphernalia 'Live In Concert' (UK MCA 2LPs)

Nice !

Jackie McLean 'McLean's Scene' (New Jazz DG mono)

That's very odd for what is supposed to be 'pre-order' John. Must say I haven't tried ordering yet - I wonder if this one is for real?

This rate, one of us should issue it..

I'm bringing this up because I'm choosing between a sealed mono Pacific Jazz pressing and a mint stereo King pressing of the same album. Which one should I go for? If its an early Pacific Jazz issue (say with black label and deep groove) and in excellent condition then I'd be tempted. The sound on some of thise can be very good - just playing several of them yesterday (Feldman, Dick Grove etc.) and I was suprised how full and well balanced the sound was. The later 'Liberty period' LPs from the late 60s on are not quite so good, in my experience.

Yes, I have that title in that pressing too. Good excuse to dig it out ! King pressings remain excellent value, considering the alternatives out there.

Red Ken Boris Deggsy Hatton

No wonder the Swiss banks are going bust ! The Gilad Atzmon 'Refuge' is very good I think. A strong recent release.