At The BBC 1969-70 [LP]

Keith Tippett - At The BBC 1969-70 [LP]

Keith Tippett was just twenty-one when his group recorded the first of these sets for BBC's Jazz Workshop on May 21st 1969, three months before the recording of his first album, You Are Here -- I Am There. Featured on side one is the three-part "Portishead Suite," which presents three stylistically different musical portraits of three generations of the Somerset town. The first is comparatively gentle and flowing but the second portrait is more insistent, its 5/4 tempo bringing to mind themes heard on early King Crimson albums. The third portrait has something of the Caribbean in its playful rhythms. "Hail Conquering Hero" can be heard on side two, and is described by Tippett as "a jazz study of war." None of these compositions have ever appeared officially in any form. Also included on side two are two tracks from Tippett's August 1970 session for BBC Top Gear that was advertised as by Keith Tippett & Heavy Friends.

A1. Portishead Suite - First Generation
A2. Portishead Suite - Second Generation
A3. Portishead Suite - Third Generation
A4. Portishead Suite - Charles Fox Speaks
B1. Hail Conquering Hero
B2. Five After Dawn
B3. Green & Orange Night Park