Brit Jazz 45s series unites new bands with old tunes for 7” vinyl singles

This sees contemporary jazz acts record two 1960s/70s British jazz compositions apiece and present them as limited-edition vinyl 7” singles. The series gets underway with saxophonist/composer Kevin Figes and his group You Are Here, paying homage to two revered Brit jazz musicians – Keith Tippett and Elton Dean – with newly minted recordings of a classic track from each.

Figes’ group, You Are Here, grew out of a celebration of the life of late, great pianist/composer Keith Tippett, who died in 2020, and with whom Figes recorded and performed with. The fine band features Figes on soprano/alto sax, trumpeter Pete Judge, trombonist Raphael Clarkson, pianist Jim Blomfield, bassist Riaan Vosloo and drummer Tony Orrell and collectively they attack the material with the free-flowing, energetic spirit of 1970s Brit jazz.

The ‘A’ side features a piece by Figes’ former teacher – and Soft Machine member – saxophonist/composer Elton Dean (1945-2006) with the Township-jazz invoking composition ‘Seven for Lee’, which sees Figes’ soprano and Clarkson’s trombone whipping up a solo storm over the unfettered rhythm section. The flip side dives into cosmic jazz-rock territory on Tippett’s expansive ‘Green and Orange Night Park’, with pianist Blomfield hammering the keys under the horn-laden intro which then morphs into an elongated loping groove.

Further singles will feature the likes of Soft Machine, Ruby Rushton and Beats & Pieces Big Band who are all lined up to participate, with all tracks to be part of a compilation album at the end of the series.

For more info visit www.myonlydesirerecords.com