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Mike Osborne: Dawn
ByOsborne recorded the first six tunes in London, during two gigs in August and December of 1970, with Harry Miller on bass and Louis Moholo-Moholo on drumsthe recordings predate both of the trio's albums. The venue isn't identified, but occasional polite applause suggests a small club or theatre. The remaining four tracksfeaturing Osborne and Miller with tenor saxophonist John Surman and drummer Alan Jacksoncome from a June 9th 1966 studio session at London's Regent Sound, Osborne's first known recording session and Surman's second.
These dates are worthy of note. By 1966 pop had eclipsed jazz as the sound of young Britain. By 1970 the rise of progressive rock meant that many forward-thinking jazz players were gaining popularity through collaborations with outfits such as King CrimsonMiller and Keith Tippett appear on Islands (Island, 1970)and the Canterbury Scene bands.
Osborne himself collaborated with folk guitarist and songwriter Mike Cooper, alongside his career in the top flight of UK jazz. His work with Stan Tracey, Westbrook and othersnotably Chris McGregor's Brotherhood Of Breath and, with Surman and Alan Skidmore, the saxophone trio S.O.Sis testament to his place at the head of the UK scene.
Dawn offers further proof of Osborne's talent. His own compositions, such as "Scotch Pearl" and the surprisingly catchy "TBD," are bursting with life, tunes that celebrate the joy of making music with Osborne's alto weaving complex, snaking but melodic lines. "Dawn" and "1st" demonstrate his more reflective approach to composition and playing, akin to the spiritual jazz of John Coltrane or Pharoah Sanders (whose "Seven By Seven" gets a bouncy, joyous, treatment from the 1966 quartet).
Across much of this music Miller plays what could be termed a walking bass line. However, the term diminishes his power and his pace. The lines jog, at least, and in full flow on Herbie Hancock's "Jack Rabbit" he's playing at a gallop but never missing a beat. Moholo Moholo and Jackson match that combination of strength and musicality. Surman's approach is calmer than the others,' his warm, full, tone proving to be an ideal partner for the tighter and more frenetic Osborne sound.
Dawn is an important historical document. That alone justifies its release. Of course, historical documents don't always entertainthat's not their primary function. Thankfully, Dawn is historically important and entertaining. Osborne and his colleagues are on terrific form, bursting with ideas and barely controllable energy, a reminder that late-60s UK jazz may have operated in the commercial shadows but it basked in the creative sunlight.
Track Listing
Scotch Pearl; Dawn; Jack Rabbit; TBC; 1st; TBD; Seven By Seven; And Now The Queen; An Idea; Aggression.
Personnel
Mike Osborne
saxophone, altoMike Osborne: alto saxophone; Harry Miller: bass; Louis Moholo Moholo: drums (1-6); John Surman: tenor saxophone (7-10); Alan Jackson: drums (7-10).
Album information
Title: Dawn | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Cuneiform Records
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