http://jpsmusicblog.blogspot.com/2014/10/cd-review-gonzo-multimedia-remembers.html
currently available at gonzo:
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2014
CD Review: Gonzo Multimedia Remembers Hugh Hopper With New 10-CD Set
Former
Soft Machine bassist Hugh Hopper is the subject of a ten-disc release
from U.K. label Gonzo Multimedia. The discs are being released
individually and are categorized by subject. The first disc is aptly
titled at "Memories" and features seven of Hopper's unreleased demos and
outtakes that have never been released before on CD. It was released on
September 16th with Volumes two and three following two weeks later.
Hopper
himself introduces the tracks, beginning with the Soft Machine demo
"Memories," which places you in the studio with the band, back in 1969.
This opening of the "vault" is a wonderful display of Hopper's talents
as he showcases his unique bass style in eleven-minute running of "Was A
Friend," performed by the Hugh Hopper's Franglo Band. He discusses his
use of the fuzz box before allowing us to dive into the Frank
Zappa-like "Shuffle Demos." One of the more recent recordings on the set
is nine-minute jazz-fusion of "Debonaire." Volume one closes with a
seventeen minute sound collage known as "Long Piece" as Hopper is at his
most experimental.
The
second volume of the set is entitled "Frangloband" and features Hopper
performing live with his jazz band at the Triton Club in Paris in 2004.
The seven song, seventy-minute set features all originals, except for a
cover of John Coltrane's "Mr Syms." The set begins with Hopper using his
fuzz boxed bass to the full effect on the progressive jazz fused
"Facelift." The band heads into a more traditional jazz direction on the
thirteen minute jam of "Lonely Sky and The Sea," before Hopper takes
control with his outstanding solo on "Sliding Dogs." The night ends with
a pair of ten minute pieces, first the dark, aggressive feel of "Wanglo
Salon" and the more mellow "Miniluv" that harks back to the Soft
Machine days. To find out more about these new releases to the Hugh Hopper catalog, please visit gonzomultimedia.com.
POSTED BY JP'S MUSIC BLOG
 | Volume 6: Special Friends SCD - £9.99 |
 | Volume Four: Four by Four by Hu CD - £9.99 |
 | Volume 2 Franglo Band CD - £9.99 |
 | Memories CD - £9.99 |
 | Monster Band CD - £9.99 |
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