Rendell/Carr Quintet: BBC Jazz Club II 1965-1966

Rating: ★★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Dave Green (b)
Trevor Tomkins
Mike Carr (vib)
Don Rendell (ts, ss, fl)
Mike Garrick, (p)
Ian Carr (t, fgh)

Label:

Rhythm and Blues Records

October/2021

Media Format:

CD

Catalogue Number:

RANDB075

RecordDate:

19 April, 25 October 1965 and 9 January 1966

Garrick replaced Colin Purbrook in this group early in 1965, and it’s this revised line-up and three more of their BBC Jazz Club broadcasts that feature in this follow-up RCQ reissue on this label. Garrick clearly brought his own distinctive compositional stance with him when he joined and eight of the originals here are his, the rest largely by band members. ‘Big City Strut’ by trumpeter Carr, the group’s other free-thinker, opens and he solos first, his acrid sound suggesting a hard bop affiliation, before Rendell enters, his original Prez-ian influence now conflated uncertainly with that of John Coltrane, the ending a short free-for-all. Next up comes Garrick’s ‘Trane’s Mood’, the theme more fragmentary, Rendell pushing hard, the ensemble ebb and flow quite chaotic. Order is restored with ‘If I Could Write A Book’, the sole ‘outside’ number, Rendell brim-full of energy as Carr snaps, crackles and pops.

Garrick may well have been a key figure in the transformation of the group from just another Blue Note simulator into something more questioning and deeply-felt, but credit is also due to the still-active Green and Tomkins for staying the pace. Take Green’s purposeful walking line in ‘She’ll Be Back’, this softer, more pastoral perhaps, as it fades. Rendell’s ‘Garrison ‘65’ is equally compelling, the theme see-sawing, Rendell on soprano, quite spiky, Carr rising from the deep on flugelhorn in possibly his most coherent solo of the date, Green precise, doubtless recalling Coltrane’s bassist as he solos.

Ian’s brother, the vibist Mike Carr guests with the group for the second broadcast and solos with flair on ‘Hot Rod,’ a fast-moving Garrick number, the composer torrid in solo. Given that the group certainly absorbed plenty from Coltrane’s machinations and those of mid-period Miles, what emerges is still music of commendable distinction. So much to enjoy.

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