VA - A New Awakening, Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971 [2025] (3 x CDs)

JAZZ

VA - A New Awakening, Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971 [2025] (3 x CDs)

Slide into the smoky corners of late-’60s London with A New Awakening: Adventures in British Jazz 1966-1971, a compilation that swings, stings, and sparkles with the kind of restless energy only that era could produce. Released in 2025 by Strawberry Records, this three-disc box isn’t just a nod to the British jazz scene, t’s a full-blown love letter to its wild side.

From the modal meditations of Don Rendell and Ian Carr to the soul-jazz grit of Wynder K. Frog’s “Harpsichord Shuffle,” this set captures a sound in motion blurring lines between jazz, rock, psychedelia, and cinematic funk. John Cameron’s “Troublemaker” stirs in big band swagger with spy-movie cool, while Affinity’s electric live take on “A Day in the Life” cut at Ronnie Scott’s is a deliciously off-kilter detour into jazz-rock surrealism.

Every disc spills over with crate-digger gold and cult cuts, the kind of tracks that once filled basement clubs and BBC late-night sessions, now dusted off and sparkling with fresh remasters. You can hear the scene stretching its legs, from Indo-jazz and freeform experimentation to Hammond-heavy grooves that wouldn’t be out of place on a lost library LP.

The lineup reads like an all-star jam across genres: Joe Harriott, Michael Garrick, Tubby Hayes, Kenny Wheeler, John McLaughlin, even the likes of Jethro Tull and Spooky Tooth dipping in with a brass flourish or a sideways solo. It's bold. It's beautifully unpredictable. And most importantly-it grooves.

Tucked away in the set are some absolute curveballs: Ray Russell Quartet’s “Can I Have My Paperback Back”, captured live at The Playhouse Theatre, delivers a fiery performance that’s been elusive for years. And Mike Osborne’s “So It Is (Edit)” rounds out the collection with a jagged, avant-garde edge that leaves a lasting impression. Dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover B-side beauties like Georgie Fame’s slick and sly “No Thanks” and Graham Bond’s stormy “Wade in the Water,” a rare U.S. flip that oozes atmosphere and attitude. These aren’t just fillerthey’re flashes of a scene pushing boundaries in real time.

This isn’t jazz with its pinky raised—it’s jazz with one foot on the fuzz pedal and the other in the dancehall. A cultural crossroads where London cool met improvisational fire and lit up the skyline.

Perfect for soundtracking deep listening sessions or weaving into a narrative about British music’s most creative fringe, A New Awakening is the kind of set that doesn’t just sit on a shelf. It lingers, pulses, and moves. Just like the scene it came from. (B)

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Track lists

CD1

01 Dick Morrissey Quartet - Storm Warning 7:10

02 Davy Graham - Watermelon Man 3:01

03 Don Rendell; Ian Carr Quintet - Tan Samfu 5:56

04 Joe Harriott Double Quintet - Overture (From Indo-Jazz Suite) 8:09

05 John Dankworth Orchestra - Return From The Ashes 2:37

06 Graham Bond Organization - Wade in The Water 4:02

07 Georgie Fame - No Thanks 2:43

08 Mike Taylor Trio - Two Autumns 6:38

09 Mike Westbrook Concert Band - A Greeting 5:42

10 Joe Harriott Quintet - Shepherd's Serenade 3:50

11 Michael Garrick Septet - Ursula 5:47

12 Tubby Hayes Quartet - Dear Johnny B 7:15

13 Pentangle - In Time 5:11

14 Harold McNair - The Hipster 4:47

15 Jethro Tull - One for John Gee 2:09

16 Spooky Tooth - Luger's Groove 3:58

CD2

01 John Cameron Quartet - Troublemaker 4:17

02 Graham Collier Sextet - Down Another Road 5:13

03 John McLaughlin - Binky's Beam 7:09

04 Don Rendell; Ian Carr Quintet - One Green Eye 3:01

05 New Jazz Orchestra - Angle 5:04

06 Kenny Wheeler - Sweet Dulcinea Blue 3:44

07 Michael Gibbs - Some Echoes, Some Shadows 9:07

08 Wynder K. Frog - Harpsichord Shuffle 3:59

09 Jasper - The Beard 3:51

10 Manfred Mann Chapter Three - Where Am I Going 2:49

11 Colosseum - Those About to Die 4:55

12 Keef Hartley Band - Premonition 4:29

13 Nucleus - Elastic Rock 4:09

14 Brian Auger & The Trinity - Maiden Voyage 5:01

15 Affinity - A Day in The Life (Live at Ronnie Scott's) 6:15

16 Johnny Almond Music Machine - Voodoo Forest 3:46

17 Jack Bruce - Over The Cliff 2:54

CD3

01 Brian Auger's Oblivion Express - Dragon Song 4:29

02 Ray Russell Quartet - Can I Have My Paperback Back (Live at The Playhouse Theatre) 5:53

03 IF - What Did I Say About The Box, Jack? 8:23

04 Chris Spedding - The Forest of Fables 1:15

05 Trio - Joachim 6:54

06 Satisfaction - Sharing 6:17

07 Julie Driscoll - A New Awakening 3:52

08 Bob Downes Open Music - Keep Off The Grass 2:46

09 Trifle - Is it Loud? 8:12

10 Garrick's Fairground - Epiphany 3:38

11 Nucleus - Song for The Bearded Lady 7:23

12 John McLaughlin , John Surman , Karl Berger , Stu Martin , Dave Holland - Earth Bound Hearts 4:19

13 IF - Seldom Seen Sam 5:08

14 John Taylor - And Think Again 6:16

15 Mike Osborne - So it is (Edit) 4:58

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Music weaves itself into the fabric of our emotions, dances through the corridors of memory, and whispers to the soul of who we are. Sharing these stories deepens the connection, turning the experience into something timeless and profound.

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