PROPENSITY

I continue to be amazed at the numbers of good studio recordings that linger in the can, relying on memories and then deep and dusty searching of the record studio archives, to be recovered and released. Here is another.

This recording finds Holdsworth during a very busy period of self-evaluation (including doubts about being in the music industry) but experimenting across a broad range of jazz (e.g. as illustrated by the radio broadcasts with John Steven issued over 3 CDs, the two albums recorded in France with Gordon Beck, laying down the 'IOU' album - although released several years later - etc). John Stevens ran a "school" of jazz improv and was well known in the UK for being the free drummer to play with. Danny Thompson was very much in demand on the UK folk circuit but also known for his uncompromising jazz playing. (One of the best folk rhythm sections heard, is that of Thompson and Stevens found on John Martyn's 'Live At Leeds' album).

The liner notes here are relatively limited (for instance no explanation as to why only two tracks?), so I am assuming this recording was done in a similar way as the John Stevens/Allan Holdsworth radio recordings of the period, predominantly as improv. However, everything is melodic. The playing skills of all three musicians are of the highest orders and pleasure to hear. But the real joy is a rarity, an extended acoustic 12-string guitar solo by Holdsworth on the first track, 'Jools Toon'.

This ep will be of great interest to Holdworth fans in particular, filling a brief gap in his musical history. But fans of Thompson and Stevens will take great pleasure from this too.

Mixing BTW was by former Holdsworth pupil Jakko Jakszyk.

For prog fans 3 stars, for jazz fusion fans 4+ stars.