You Are Here...I Am There by The Keith Tippett Group

Young Turks Go For It
Justifiably lauded as one of the greatest pianists of his generation, Keith Tippett’s talent as a composer of lyrical warmth has often been overlooked in favour of his considerable firepower at the keys.

Recorded in 1970, at a time when jazz in the UK had only recently begun to walk unsteadily in its own distinctive UK and European direction, Tippett and his colleagues were determined to carve their own niche within the movement.

Not entirely helped by its thin (i.e. cheap) Giorgio Gomelsky production, the disc nevertheless features some vintage Elton Dean soloing and fiery contributions Mark Charig on cornet and Nick Evans on trombone.

Though Tippett turns in some incisive and telling moments on acoustic and electric piano, it’s really his position as a composer which gives him the authority here.

The graceful This Evening Was Like Last Year which opens and closes the album is an ornate piece with extended orchestration and punchy arrangements. When all the band are in full flow on I Wish There Was A Nowhere, it’s reminiscent of Facelift from Soft Machine's Third. Not surprising really as Elton Dean gives a bravura performance which will be familiar to fans of the Soft’s brand of early jazz-rock.

The album only sounds the weakest when they wander into some self-consciously rockist playing which sounds forced and unconvincing. Thank You For The Smile veers suddenly into a rather clunky blast of Hey Jude that neither swings or rocks with any conviction.

Often overlooked in favour of the following album, Dedicated To You But You Weren’t Listening, despite its weaknesses this is a solid album that showcases the fire in the belly of these young turks still in their early 20s with something to prove.

Standout track: Violence