ROCK WORKSHOP — Rock Workshop (review)

ROCK WORKSHOP — Rock Workshop album cover Album · 1970 · RnB Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
Sean Trane
Behind this bizarre and basic name (for a jazz act) stands one of the largest amalgam of British jazzers, but if anyone remembers it, it’s probably because of Alex Harvey’s (of SAHB fame) stance behind the microphone. But in reality, this was guitarist Ray Russell’s vehicle for some high-energy brass-rock that can be often likened to Chicago Transit Authority or its British equivalent If. Indeed the group’s five-man horn section (including Beckett, Roberts, Downes and Wadsworth) gives it a very windy and horny sound, while the usual Russell sidekick of Runswick and Rushton are caring for the rhythm section. If you always liked CTA’s Kath guitar prowess, no doubt you’ll enjoy Russell’s answer. This might be a bit surprising to some that know his later works, but Ray had an RnB start with Georgie Fame in the mid-60’s.

Well, if RW’s main claim to fame is their singer, the least we can say is that his raunchy voice is not exactly suited for a large horn-rock band. Actually, I’m not far from thinking that the band is better off when Alex shuts up, because when he growls, they sound like Patto or Humble Pie, like the opening Ice old. Their second singer, Alan Greed’s voice is much nicer and Wade In The Water is much faster, energetic, featuring sizzling Russell guitar and solid brass answers. There are also a few bluesy numbers like Hole In The Stocking, breaking dissonant past the half-length, before returning to normal. Weird electronic noises open Mooncross Grove, but the pleasant bluesy groove is enthralling, with Russell’s guitar going mental and dissonant for a few minutes, before the band reprises the original riff. Another steamy instrumental is spine Cop, where the horns offer a Chicago-highway to Russell’s wailing guitar. Enthralling and exciting stuff. Theme For freedom is another example of this kind of track, but this time breaking for a drum soloSome more weird bruitage are opening the brassy and bluesy Born In The City, where (almost-unfortunately, I might add) AH’s vocals return, but it is thankfully short. The closing You To Lose is an awesome track, changing rhythm and climates and ending in weird electronic noises.

The Angel Air label feature a bunch of bonus track of varying interest, most of them being alternate takes, while the last two are a non-album single that I would’ve appreciated them directly after the original album’s end, despite an obviously different (thiner) sound production, rather than after the expandable bonuses. If Primrose Hill is forgettable, Return To The Goddess is well in line with the bloodier and juicier instrumentals on the album. In some ways, horn-rock fans will like this energetic brassy affair that is much reminiscent of CTA, If, Lighthouse, but it is thankfully not too close to the bloated and pretentious BS&T. all yours, really!!
Share this review
more

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

My Ship Hard Bop
WILLIE JONES III
Buy this album from MMA partners
Ice Breaking Post-Fusion Contemporary
DAG ARNESEN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Lee Ritenour & Dave Grusin : Brasil Latin Jazz
LEE RITENOUR
Buy this album from MMA partners
From The North - Gogo Penguin Live In Manchester Nu Jazz
GOGO PENGUIN
Buy this album from MMA partners
Anthony Braxton Saxophone Quartet : Sax QT (Lorraine) 2022 Third Stream
ANTHONY BRAXTON
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

03 Willie Jones III My Ship #NightIsAlive
WILLIE JONES III
snobb· 14 hours ago
Fall
SUNNY KIM
js· 1 day ago
Twilight
RANDY SCOTT
js· 2 days ago
Trifecta - Beck and Call - official video (taken from The New Normal)
TRIFECTA
js· 3 days ago
Phoenix
GRÉGORY PRIVAT
js· 3 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed