Ancient Archive Of Sound Schallplatten & CDs

Review: Saxophonist Nat Birchall has been busy over the last couple of years, offering up a string of inspired collaborative albums, including a fine dub-wise excursion with Al Breadwinner and a brilliant tribute to Yusuf Lateef created with his regular Quartet of players. His latest album, "Mysticism of Sound", is a slight departure from his regular sound - if he indeed has one, given his exploration of many strains of jazz over the years - for two reasons. Firstly, it's an impressively evocative exploration of Sun Ra-inspired space jazz, with his meandering and emotive sax solos acting as spiritual guide throughout. Secondly, it's a genuinely solo album in which there are no guests: each and every instrument, including synths, bells, drums and bass, were played, was played by Birchall himself.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Saxophonist Nat Birchall has been busy over the last couple of years, offering up a string of inspired collaborative albums, including a fine dub-wise excursion with Al Breadwinner and a brilliant tribute to Yusuf Lateef created with his regular Quartet of players. His latest album, "Mysticism of Sound", is a slight departure from his regular sound - if he indeed has one, given his exploration of many strains of jazz over the years - for two reasons. Firstly, it's an impressively evocative exploration of Sun Ra-inspired space jazz, with his meandering and emotive sax solos acting as spiritual guide throughout. Secondly, it's a genuinely solo album in which there are no guests: each and every instrument, including synths, bells, drums and bass, were played, was played by Birchall himself.

Review: In the many-layered world of UK jazz, saxophonist Nat Birchall remains something of a hidden treasure. Having led many a group and recorded for the likes of Gondwana, Jazzman and Sound Soul and Spirit, he's now settled into a steady rhythm with Ancient Archive Of Sound, notching up a fourth album for the label which confirms once again what an incredible talent he is. The sound is spiritual, paying explicit homage to the deep rooted heritage of the music he plays without overstepping the mark - Birchall's fluid expression and composition is reverential and powerful, a true credit to the winding legacy of jazz music.

Review: Nat Birchall is a prolific artist and someone who has proven he can do all forms of jazz from spiritual to contemporary to dub styled. This newest album from him finds him join with an expanded Unity Ensemble to cook up six original compositions featuring the likes of cult UK tenor saxophonist Alan Skidmore and guest percussionist Mark Wastell. They all came together initially at a John Coltrane tribute concert at London's Cafe Oto last year and soon found they had a common creative group so decided to get in the studio together. That early synergy shines through here on a lush five track record that is expansive and uplifting and rich in celestial melody.