Artist: George Haslam / Lol Coxhill
Title: Solos East West
Cat Number: SLAMCD308
Year released: 1997
Format: CD & all digital platforms
Barcode: 5028386030829
Saxophonists George Haslam and Lol Coxhill recorded in separate solo performances during the 1990s.
“Haslam’s relaxed approach builds to a passionate intensity on Ellington’s It don’t mean a thing.” – Andy Hamilton, The Wire
“Haslam begins with a free improvisation on baritone sax. A few minutes into it, he quotes a phrase from Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing” and this is warmly applauded by the audience. From that point on, the set becomes a mixture of improvisations and standards. So, we get another Ellington piece, “I Got It Bad”, plus “Somewhere”, “Softly As In A Morning Sunrise”, “Lulu’s Back In Town” and “Tea For Two”, interspersed with improvisations. The blend works well; the standards are well integrated (not thrown in as crowd pleasers) through the dexterity of Haslam’s improvisation. Haslam’s tone is as commanding and assured as ever.” – John Eyles, Rubberneck
Tracks 1-4: George Haslam, (baritone saxophone, tarogato) recorded live at Krivoy Rog, 21 May 1995 by Ukrainian Broadcasting Co.
Track 5: Lol Coxhill (soprano saxophone) private live recording at the Tom Allan Centre, East Stratford, London, 1990, at a reading by Jeff Nuttall from his book ‘The Bald Soprano’.