| Band
Members: |
Hugh Hopper: bass, guitar, recorder,
soprano saxophone, percussion |
Elton Dean: alto sax, saxello (4,6,8) |
| The
Review |
There is no question that Hugh Hopper has assured himself
a prominent place in the world of not only early progressive
rock but also today’s international jazz-rock scene. Hoppers
credentials go back to the highly influential Soft Machine
and even before that he was a founder-member of the Wilde
Flowers, a band that in many ways gave birth to the whole
Canterbury musical scene. Besides putting out new releases
from time to time we can be treated to re-releases that provide
an interesting glimpse into Hopper’s past works. Such is the
case with the new Cuneiform release of Hopper Tunity Box.
***
This recording, originally released in 1977 contains
9-tracks that easily fall into the jazz-rock mould. The recording
of Hopper Tunity Box came about just after leaving the band
Isotope and was the result of unlimited studio time. In fact
Hopper only spent three months working on the album. The compositions
are not overly long, many of them in the 3-4 minute range
with only a couple stretching out to 6 – 7 minutes. Each piece
tends to convey that busy jazz musicianship, and that’s true
of even the slower numbers like “The Lonely Sea and the Sky.”
For the most part these tunes are all pretty upbeat both in
terms of tempo as well as feel. And you really do get that
powerful, cool jazz feel that drives the foot to tapping and
the fingers snapping. Each musician is heard, intensely propelling
their instrument on its own musical path, performing the complex
melody simultaneously. As you might have surmised, the predominant
sound here is the bass guitar in all its rumbling soundscapes.
All the other instruments revolve around a prominent bass
line. After all it is a Hugh Hopper recording. ***
On Hopper Tunity Box, Hopper does more than his share
playing bass, guitar, recorders, soprano sax and percussion.
For this, his second solo effort he’s called upon Richard
Brunton (guitar), Mark Charig (cornet, tenor horn), Elton
Dean (alto sax, saxello), Nigel Morris (drums), Frank Roberts
(electric piano), Dave Stewart (organ, pianet, oscillators),
Mike Travis (drums), and Garg Windo (bass clarinet, saxes).
A stellar and in many respects well know cast of characters.
***
For fans of Hugh Hopper’s work this will no doubt be
a welcome reissue and for completists it will be a no brainer
to add to the collection. Canterbury fanatics should be all
over this. For others who may be just getting into the more
adventurous side of the progressive rock genre or the world
of jazz-rock music this is a must listen. Always experimental,
never boring. Nicely remastered with pristine sound and new
liner notes from Hopper himself makes Hopper Tunity Box a
wonderful glimpse back into the past. ***
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