John Surman - At The BBC 1967-68 John Surman

These two very different sessions involving John Surman and Mike Osborne have much in common. They both share a wonderful sense of liberation, of the joy of making music together and of finding collectively new ways of making jazz happen. And even more importantly, they speak volumes about the eclecticism and openness of British jazz in those years of the mid- to late-sixties and about the creative ambitions of John Surman. In the current absence in the market of his first LP, this is an essential purchase for Surman fans.

The John Surman-Mike Osborne Quartet recorded tracks 1 – 5 for BBC Light Programme on 26th February 1967 and the other tracks come from a John Surman-Russ Henderson Calypso Jazz session for BBC Radio 1 Jazz Club on 17th July 1968.

Notes by Duncan Heining with suggestions from John Surman. These sessions have never previously appeared officially in any form.

Also featuring Harry Miller on bass, Alan Jackson/Sterling Betancourt drums and Russ Henderson on piano.