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- Rest in Peace, Hugh. We miss you already ...
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HUGH HOPPER
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HOPPER TUNITY BOX
RUNE 240
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Freshly remastered from the master tapes and issued on CD from the master tapes for the first time, this was the second solo album by Soft Machine bassist and composer Hugh Hopper. This was Hugh's second solo album and his first solo album after leaving Soft Machine. In my fan-boy opinion, it is one of the best records Hugh's ever made and is a fine and distinctively unusual progressive/fusion album that has all the compositional and performance twists and oddities that make it distinctly Hugh's. Originally released in 1977 on the Compendium label, it highlights Hugh's quirky compositional sense and trademarked fuzzbass/looping/lead bass stylings with stunningly great contributions from Richard Brunton-guitar, Elton Dean-alto sax and saxello, Mark Charig-cornet, Nigel Morris-drums, Frank Roberts-electric piano, Dave Stewart-organ, pianet, oscillators, Mike Travis-drums and Gary Windo-bass clarinet and saxes. There were no outtakes or additions to add to this reissue, but Hugh did contribute new notes that tell the story of the making of this album and he gave us reproductions of some of the musical scores for the booklet. An absolutely essential album that I've been pestering Hugh to allow us to release for well over a decade! This is a lost jazz/rock classic that demands to be rediscovered 30 years later! The original lp had a skip in the middle of one of Elton's wonderful solos and the only previous CD version was recorded off of a vinyl record and had the same skip! This is the first time this album has been released on CD with the care that it deserves. Don't miss it!
"An old Soft Machinist never lets you down. Somehow he's brought with him much of the flavour of his old band.... [Hopper Tunity Box] belongs up there with Third and Fourth...." - Melody Maker
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1984
RUNE 104
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Bassist/composer Hugh has been involved in many projects during his more than 30 years in music. 1984, originally released in 1973, & his first solo release, remains perhaps his most singular. This combines Hugh's unique fuzz bass & compostions with tapework, multiple overdubs, & a very avant esthetic & then contrasts those works with short, weirdly devolved James Brown-inspired pieces. 25 years later, the originality and distinctiveness of Hugh's vision on 1984 remains untouched. This is the DEFINITIVE CD edition, taken from the original master tapes, including a never heard bonus track from the original sessions, as well as new notes by Hugh that tell the story of 1984.
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TWO RAINBOWS DAILY
With ALAN GOWEN
RUNE 77
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Two Rainbows Daily is a reissue of a long out of print classic from 1980 from these two fine composers and insrumentalists (keyboards and bass). While rich in sound due to overdubs, this doesn't have a full band sound, and this rather stripped-down approach makes for a "intimate" release filled with crafty melodies and subtle tonal colors. Mastered directly off the master tapes it sounds terrific; finally! No vinyl crackle! As a bonus there is 20' of extra live material and excellent liner notes by Hugh, which tell the story of this disc. Absolutely a "Canterbury" classic.
“...the coming together of two British jazz-rock giants. ...These gracefully introspective instrumentals feature Gowen's trademark flowing analog synth and Hopper's unique high-register bass work in equal measure.” – muze.com
“...showcases harmonic and compositional sensitivity....” – Revue & Corrigee
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CAROUSEL
RUNE 67
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After a decade of work together, several live albums, many concert tours, and lots of satisfied listeners, we finally got Hugh and crew into a studio to record Carousel, certainly their best yet. After all this time together, the band is really a WORKING unit, with fine playing from all members. This is a powerful set of fusion and beyond from a creative, hard playing outfit. A disc good enough that it might even give fusion back it's good name!
"[Carousel is ] a solid and convincing record, with many of the old Soft Machine qualities of compositional interest and high standard of performance in evidence. Enjoyable and consistant" -Chris Cutler.
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MECCANO PELORUS
CUNEIFORM 55006
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Originally released only as a limited edition in the early 1990’s, and out of print for over 5 years, Meccano Pelorus was Hugh’s fourth album and the first release under his own name since the 1970’s! Featuring his great FrangloDutch band (Patrice Meyer-guitar, Dionys Breukers-keyboards, Frank Van Der Kooij-saxes, Pieter Bast-drums + Hugh on bass), this was recorded live in 1987 and 1989 and was the beginning of his career back in the musical arena, after laying out for a good number of years. Newly re-designed package. |
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