Flashpoint

John Surman - Flashpoint: NDR Jazz Workshop, April 1969 (2011) {CD + DVD5 NTSC Set, Cuneiform RUNE 315/316}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 262 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 98 Mb
DVD5 -> 3.12 Gb | All Regions | NTSC 4:3 | LinearPCM, 2 ch | ~ 47 min | ISO Image
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 25 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 1969, 2011 Norddeutscher Rundfunk / Cuneiform Records | RUNE 315/316
Jazz / Post Bop / Modal Music / Saxophone

Cuneiform Records has unearthed a hidden treasure of British jazz. Flashpoint: NDR Jazz Workshop—April '69 is a stunning discovery. Featuring unreleased material executed by a unique ten-piece line-up of European jazz luminaries, it provides a fascinating window into the development of British saxophonist John Surman at the very beginning of his career.

With the exception of 1992's Born Again, saxophonist Tom Scott's output for GRP was consistently disappointing. Although obviously a talented player, Scott's willingness to play arrangements whose main goal was to gain radio airplay resulted in commercial and quickly dated music. Scott is heard with smaller groups throughout this 1988 effort, which include keyboardist Randy Kerber and guitarist Dean Parks, plus guest appearances by guitarists Eric Gale and Michael Landau; all this looks promising but is actually quite routine. None of the nine funky originals were infectious enough to catch on; Scott sounds fairly anonymous in spots, particularly when he utilizes a WX-7; and it is obvious that the music was made strictly for the money. At best, this is superior background music