Henry Lowther Band

Something that completely left me behind when I first heard it in 1970 I now see the error of my ways – this is a remarkable piece of work; just not Prog as I understood it.

The career of Lowther was impressive. He worked with some of the great jazz names such as Mike Westerbrook and Johnny Dankworth but he also crossed over into the Blues arena with John Mayall, Jack Bruce and Keef Hartley, taking in appearances with Hawklords and the Buzzcocks. His trumpet sound is clear and powerful but the delicacy he applies is incredible.

This really falls more into the jazz ground and his band at the time featured Daryl Runswick on basses, Mike McNaught on electric piano, Jimmy Jewell and Tony Roberts on Tenor sax and Mike Travis on drums and percussion while Lowther himself played violin and flugelhorn in addition to the trumpet. Not a guitar or synth in sight and while it was formally a Jazz/Rock fusion album by dint of it being on Decca’s Deram label it most certainly is in the avant garde/cool jazz side of the world.

The playing is actually wonderful. Runswick’s bass is a weapon of subtle fluidity while Travis’ percussion gives great freedom to the other musicians to work. The trumpet is clearly his first love but Lowther seems equally adept on violin and the music throughout the album shows the strength of jazz in Britain in the early ‘70’s as the musicians develop the themes and forms of the music.

To the uninitiated, this form of music can sound cold and unemotional but continued listening goives insights into the interplay of some really fine musicians.

The remaster is typically excellent – Esoteric are bringing some great music to life these days, especially as they find the sought after gems of which this is a shining example.

It takes some work to get into this album but so well worth it in the end.