Graham Bond - Solid Bond

Big old Bondle of British jazz and R&B improv

Originally released in 1970 as a retrospective of unreleased Graham Bond cuts, Solid Bond stands up as a reasonably intriguing release. The first nine of the 12 tracks here come from 1966, and were played with Dick Heckstall-Smith and Jon Hiseman. Together they come across as solid British R&B with slight jazz tinges, and all have that classically dark manic sound that only the mighty Bond could bring to a musical party. It might be something to do with his strong, wailing vocalising, it could be the heavy demonic organ, it might be the often sexually-tinged lyrics. The remaining three cues on the album date from 1963 and were originally performed live with Bruce, Baker and McLaughlin in the house. They hit a more unusual British jazz note, with jittering, funky and solid improvisations that really do sound way ahead of their time.

The big let down here is the budget presentation side of things. We have a slight and terribly basic four-page booklet, sod all info anywhere, no histories, no photos, no nothing. Some won’t mind, but we did.

Rhino | 8122799065

Reviewed by Jonny Trunk
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