SOS (A.Skidmore, M.Osborne, J.Surman) - FM Broadcast 1975

SOS (A.Skidmore, M.Osborne, J.Surman) - FM Broadcast 1975
Thx To *Tantris*

Jazz

This British saxophone trio was highly-acclaimed, but quite short-lived. It was formed by arguably the three greatest UK reedsmen of the time. They'd all played together for several years in different formats like Mike Gibbs band and John Surman's own big band.
The image above is the cover from their only commercial release, which was reissued on CD a couple of years ago by Ogun records and is still available direct from them.
The music is a curious blend of free improvisation, reels and jigs and post bebop. It makes use of Surman's pre-recorded synthesizer loops, which I'm not keen on, but which was probably quite revolutionary in jazz in those days. Certainly Surman went on to use these techniques in solo recordings on the ECM label. For me, though, the highlights of their music is the alto playing of Mike Osborne, who's career was tragically greatly shortened by mental illness, up to his death last year.
This recording is comprised of two radio broadcasts transmitted by the BBC in 1975.
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Jazz in Britain
Broadcast 29-1-1975
BBC Sessions

John Surman- Bs, Ss, Bcl, Synthesizer, E-Piano
Mike Osborne- As
Alan Skidmore- Ts, Ss.
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01. Announcer 1.17
02. Looking for the Next One 14.28
03. Announcer 0.52
04. Rashied 9.00
05. Announcer 0.50
06. News 3.04
07. Announcer 0.28
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Jazz Club
Broadcast 14.9.1975
John Surman bs, ss, bcl, synthesizer, e-piano
Mike Osborne as
Alan Skidmore ts, ss, ,dr
Tony Levin dr
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08. Country Dance 7.49
09. Announcer 0.54
10. QE Hall 14.23
11. Announcer 0.18
12. The Irish 4.49
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