English jazz saxophone legend Elton has been in the public eye
for over 30 years, and has played in numerous acclaimed groups over the
years, including most famously, the Keith Tippett Group, Soft Machine,
Centipede, and many others. Just Us is the LONG awaited reissue
on CD of Elton's very first solo album, recorded & released in 1971,
while he was still a member of Soft Machine. In addition to the original
5 tracks on the album [which feature Marc Charig-cornet, Neville Whitehead-bass
& Phil Howard-drums + guests Mike Ratledge-piano/organ & Roy Babbington-string
bass on 2 tracks], we have added 25' of never heard bonus material, recorded
live in 1972. The music on this release is a cross between the musical
freedom that Elton's career would later take & more composed music
comparable to Soft Machine's output.
Silent Knowledge is the 1st US release which features his talents
as a band leader, as well as the first recording anywhere by his current
quintet [Sophia Domancich-piano, Paul Dunmall-saxes, Paul Rogers-bass and
Tony Levin-drums]. It's a powerful "Brit-jazz" disc that features
some tightly arranged compositions mixed in with superlative free blowing.
"What makes the record is the great feeling of all involved being
totally immersed in what's unfolding...[there] is a sense of enduring commitment.
They may not look like angels...but their music sings."-The Wire.
With Bladik, Elton is joined by Roswell Rudd and the Mujician
band(Paul Dunmall,Tony Levin,Paul Rogers and Keith Tippett). Saxist Elton
& trombonist Roswell's relationship go back over 20 years, to their
work together with Carla Bley. When Roswell made a rare trip to Europe,
Elton put together a gig as well as this studio session featuring themselves
plus the acclaimed free-jazz collective Mujician. This is truly an improvising
supergroup, featuring a wide array of moods, from tender & ballad-like
to rowdy & playful.
English jazz saxophone legend Elton has been in the public eye
for over 30 years, and has played in numerous acclaimed groups over the
years, including most famously, the Keith Tippett Group, Soft Machine,
Centipede, and many others. Just Us is the LONG awaited reissue
on CD of Elton's very first solo album, recorded & released in 1971,
while he was still a member of Soft Machine. In addition to the original
5 tracks on the album [which feature Marc Charig-cornet, Neville Whitehead-bass
& Phil Howard-drums + guests Mike Ratledge-piano/organ & Roy Babbington-string
bass on 2 tracks], we have added 25' of never heard bonus material, recorded
live in 1972. The music on this release is a cross between the musical
freedom that Elton's career would later take & more composed music
comparable to Soft Machine's output.