Artist: Neil Ardley
Title: Kaleidoscope of Rainbows: Live in London 1975
File: Jazz/Fusion
Released to digital streaming/download: February 21st 2025
Kaleidoscope of Rainbows: Live in London 1975 marks a performance of a key composition in the career of one of modern British jazz’s principal auteurs.
Released in 1976, the studio version of jazz pioneer Neil Ardley’s epic is regarded by many as marking his creative peak.
Exploring variations on a five-note scale used in Balinese music, its patchwork of swirling, interlocking sound – reminiscent of Terry Riley’s work and Mike Oldfield’s ‘Tubular Bells’ – is consistently absorbing with multiple textures and fine solo performances.
A star line-up of performers include members of Ian Carr’s band Nucleus with Barbara Thompson, Tony Coe and Brian Smith on reeds, Trevor Tomkins on percussion, Dave McRae on keys and Paul Buckmaster on amplified cello under the direction of the composer.
Neil Ardley and band touring ‘Kaleidoscope of Rainbows’, Manchester, 1975
The studio album’s genesis lies in a live tour of the work culminating in this vibrant and exciting performance by the same line-up at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on October 25th the previous year.
Reviewing the gig for Melody Maker, Christopher Bird wrote:
“… here was music warm and vibrant, marvellously textured for reeds, brass and electronics immaculately constructed. Ardley really is one of the rare, rare breed – jazz composer with a real composer’s mastery of form, allied to an enviable ability to write strong melody lines.”
While, due to technical issues on the night, “Rainbow 3” is incomplete, ‘Kaleidoscope of Rainbows – Live in London 1975’ includes two “Rainbows” not included on the single LP studio album.
TRACKS
- Prologue/Rainbow 1
- Rainbow 2
- Rainbow 3 (incomplete)
- Rainbow 4
- Rainbow 5/Rainbow 6
- Rainbow 7
- Rainbow 8
- Rainbow 9
- Epilogue