Thursday, 1 October 2026

Henry Franklin's The Skipper at Home LP from 1974 [FLAC limited time only]

 



I posted 2 of his albums in the past, not so long ago back here.  Style of music is that typical 1970s 'hard bop' with fusionoid accompaniment, that is, electric piano with angular horn section playing interesting long-winded riffs, etc.  Typically the melody played by combined sax/trumpet in unison, advanced harmonies, not the usual circle of fifths jazz standard drivel.  

Anyways, I should have been more thorough with the discography, because it turns out this one is his best. Information discogged here.

The cool jazzy sound of Soft Spirit is just indescribable:


Another one, his Waltz for Boobuss which reminds me a lot of the slow and classic Miles Davis compositions like Little Church:


Note that the 1985 release is still outstanding, this one.

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Francis Lockwood in 2 1981 Debbi, 1983 Home Sweet Home

 





Mentioned before recently, in connection with Jean-Pierre Alarcen.  He is, of course, the brother of violinist Didier, posted back here (that post was a popular one-- more than 5k views!)

Information for brother Francis here.  The first album from 1981 is great keyboards-driven instrumental fusion with some ingenious solo pieces, but the second one moves directly into the unwelcome commercial territory. As a result, both samples from the Debbi album, Don't Forget Him:



And the 'piano stylings' of Good Luck, Part 2:



Sunday, 27 September 2026

Roche - La Valise de Reve, 1972

 



Here's some adorable SSW stuff from France, typical of the early 1970s, at least there's no chanson styling.  Information here. A one-off for this particular grouping, the main songwriter is Patrick Roche, who didn't release any other LPs.

Oh Viens


Final




Friday, 25 September 2026

Liferaft 1972 USA, by request

 



I love that cover drawing! So evocative.

Discogged here.  Very typical early 1970s jazz-rock, bluesy horn-rock, clearly Chicago-influenced, with a mix of songs and instrumentals.

The Rivet Man, as an example of their songs:



A little hard for me to tolerate the harsh Cocker-like and affected sound of the singer's voice though.

Early Morning Love, the instrumental that closes this show out:



More requests, if anyone has any of them:

https://www.discogs.com/release/35730400-Runaway-Totem-feat-Andromaca-Metaphorm-Tetraphirm

https://www.discogs.com/it/release/3313088-Norbert-Gottschalk-Light-Weight-Sight-A-Voice-In-Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/it/release/2465029-Bunny-Brunel-Lockwood-Jazz-Rock

More requests, if anyone has any of them:

https://www.discogs.com/release/35730400-Runaway-Totem-feat-Andromaca-Metaphorm-Tetraphirm

https://www.discogs.com/it/release/3313088-Norbert-Gottschalk-Light-Weight-Sight-A-Voice-In-Jazz
https://www.discogs.com/it/release/2465029-Bunny-Brunel-Lockwood-Jazz-Rock



Thursday, 24 September 2026

First 2 from Minimum Vital [1986 Envol Triangles, 1988 Saisons]

 





I really love these 2 albums, combining RIO with folk music in a really coherent and seamless totality of enjoyment.  I personally am of the opinion that the later albums declined in that they leaned more towards the folky side and abandoned the fiercely creative progressive tendency revealed in these 2 featured.  A very similar band is the Canadian Miriodor, btw, for those who are familiar with it.  Also welcome is the fact that though released in the 1980s there is absolutely zero indication we are in that digital drum-machine decade.

Information here.

French instrumental progressive rock band established in the early 1980s by the Payssan brothers. Their early recordings featured a lot of folk references, which were replaced by more stylish contemporary elements on many later releases. Vocals also featured on some recordings (female and male), and their style has shifted considerably during their 30 year history.


From Envol Triangles, 1986, Ronde:



From Saisons Marines, 1988, A Bien des Egards: