Jazz Unlimited BSIN01684991

Ellington, Duke - The British Connexion 1933-40

Ellington collectors will eagerly seek out this CD, a collection of music recorded in England during the maestro's first tour of Europe and tracks recorded for broadcast directly to Great Britain. The English session is the highlight of the release, with the only known recording of the swinging "Hyde Park" and two strong takes of the almost as rare "Harlem Speaks." The later sessions are equally strong but some are unfortunately incomplete and dubbed from rather worn transcription discs. A curiosity is the 1958 informal trio recording with an English rhythm section; the pianist generously allows guitarist Malcolm Mitchell plenty of solo space before he responds with a blistering solo of his own. The brilliant remastering of the aged recordings by John R. T. Davies produces a surprising amount of fidelity from the aged sound sources. (Ken Dryden). 27 Tracks. Total time 75,25 min.
Price: 17,90 EUR