Jazz Recommendations November 2009

Review: Stamford presents Chris McGregor's 'Brotherhood Of Breath' in a deluxe gatefold sleeve with 180 gram LP; for the first time on Vinyl since the 1970 Neon release and limited to 500 hand-numbered copies. 'Brotherhood of Breath' was an exuberant big-band created by South African-born pianist and composer Chris McGregor. In South Africa, McGregor had formed the racially mixed Blue Notes in the early 1960s. By 1964, finding it very difficult to work at home, they left for Europe, finally settling in London in 1966. The Blue Notes - Chris McGregor, Dudu Pukwana, Mongezi Feza, Johnny Dyani and Louis Moholo - made a huge impact on London's jazz scene and befriended many in London's emerging avant-garde jazz community.