Jazz Archives

Some wouldn´t consider this the best Ian Carr or Nucleus album, but there´s plenty to enjoy. Sure, it´s not exactly on a par with the first two Nucleus albums "Elastic Rock" and "We´ll Talk About It Later", but it´s a nice example of the tunes, riffs, rhythms, and improvisation style of the band under Ian Carr´s leadership. And I happen to like the album art. A bit strange for Nucleus, and not totally fitting with the music, but it´s quite nice.
"Belladonna is maybe less complete overall than Solar Plexus but is most definitely the most elusive and sought after of Ian Carr's Vertigo label vinyl releases. By the time this record was recorded only Brian Smith remained of the Solar Plexus line-up, but in the new blood recruited, Carr was able to instill that same kind of energy and spirit that had made the previous Nucleus recordings such critical (if not commercial) successes.
The title track in particular has that rhythmic quality not dissimilar to Snakehips' Dream, a kind of irisistable foot tapping almost danceable beat that is totally and hypnotically infectious from its percussive Ian Carr led intro to it's pure jazz rock electric mid section.
The piece Suspension is apparently Ian Carr's most satisfying studio track; one of those single takes that only happen once or twice in a career ... do I have to say more?"

:::Review by Mr. Paul D. Curtis:::

Ian Carr's Nucleus - Belladonna (1972)

1. Belladonna (Carr) 13.37
2. Summer Rain (Carr) 6.11
3. Remadione (Smith) 3.48
4. Mayday (Carr) 5.40
5. Suspension (Carr) 6.15
6. Hector´s House (Smith) 4.34

Credits
Roy Babbington (bass)
Gordon Beck (piano)
Ian Carr (trumpet, flugelhorn)
Allan Holdsworth (guitar)
Dave MacRae (piano)
Brian Smith (saxophone, flute)
Clive Thacker (drums)
Trevor Tomkins (percussion on 01., 03 - 04.)

"Based upon the diversity of music, quality of product and their extraordinary rate of progress, Pure Pleasure Records is our re-issue record company of the year."
- hi-fi+

Remastered, re-evaluated, this landmark 1976 recording by a who's-who of British jazz - including Barbara Thompson, Ian Carr (Nucleus), Tony Coe, Geoff Castle and Dave Macrae - reaffirms Neil Ardley as one of the most important innovators of British modern jazz.
This album became famous for its supremely original music but also for it's impeccable engineering by Martin Levan. On the original single LP, the sound quality had to be compromised to enable the inclusion of 27 minutes of music per side. Much of the bass and stereo effect was removed. Now as a double LP mastered from the original analog tapes, all of the "missing" bass and stereo effect is here for all to savor and enjoy. At the time of its original release in 1976, Kaleidoscope Of Rainbows received critical acclaim from a wide spectrum of the day's music critics. Here's a sampling of some reviews:

"This work is possibly the most significant piece of composition since - what? Sgt Pepper? Pet Sounds? Gil Evans' Miles Ahead? Tubular Bells? Its beauty and superb sense of structure will mark it out, in no uncertain terms as one of the great musical achievements of our age." - Karl Dallas, Melody Maker "The brisk alternation of moods and textures keeps the listener on the edge of his seat...stunning variety." - Dave Gelly, The Observer "It's made to be savoured, enjoyed and, maybe, thought about a bit: for within it lies a part of the musical future. Musically, it's superb." - Derek Jewell, The Sunday Times

:::Reviews from acousticsounds.com:::

Neil Ardley - Kaleidoscope of Rainbows (1976)

A1. Prologue
A2. Rainbow 1 (Saxophones, Flute - Stan Sulzmann)
A3. Rainbow 2
A4. Rainbow 3 (Soloist Paul Buckmaster)
A5. Rainbow 4
B1. Rainbow 5 (Soloist Tony Coe)
B2. Rainbow 6 (Electric Piano & Synthesizer - John Taylor)
B3. Rainbow 7 (Soloist Ken Shaw and Bob Bertles, Electric Piano & Synthesizer - John Taylor)
B4. Epilogue

Credits
Bass - Roger Sutton
Cello [Acoustic, Electric] - Paul Buckmaster
Conductor, Synthesizer - Neil Ardley
Drums - Roger Sellers
Electric Piano, Synthesizer - Dave MacRae (tracks: A1 to B1, B4) , Geoff Castle
Guitar - Ken Shaw
Percussion, Vibraphone - Trevor Tomkins
Saxophone [Alto, Soprano], Flute - Barbara Thompson (tracks: A1, A3 to B4) , Bob Bertles
Saxophone [Tenor, Soprano], Flute, Flute [Alto] - Brian Smith
Saxophone [Tenor], Clarinet, Clarinet [Bass] - Tony Coe
Trumpet, Flugelhorn - Ian Carr