ANDY HEDGECOCK is entertained by a playful novel that embeds a fictional game at its heart
FOR me, the record of the year is the re-release of a precious vinyl disc on CD of the Jazz Doctors, who toured the UK in in 1983-84, and recorded their first session as Intensive Care on John Jack’s Cadillac label in a Hoxton studio in November 1983.
Val Wilmer’s expressive sleeve photograph shows squatting tenor saxophonist Frank Lowe, drummer Dennis Charles with a cymbal under his arm, violinist Billy Bang and bassist Rafael Garrett fresh from the US, posing in an East End park. As they romp into Jackie McLean’s Little Melanae, they play with prescriptive fire in the heart of London.
New releases from The Dreaming Spires, Bruce Springsteen, and Chet Baker
Re-releases from Bobby Wellins/Kenny Wheeler Quintet, Larry Stabbins/Keith Tippet/Louis Moholo-Moholo, and Charles Mingus Quintet
New releases from Toby Hay, Bruce Springsteen, Bonnie Dobson & The Hanging Stars
New releases from Steve Tilston, FolkLaw, and Patch and the Giant



