SWP074

The Great Phil Seamen Vol. 2

Highlights from between 1955 & 1972, with Kenny Graham, Don Carlos, Georgie Fame, Victor Feldman, Stan Tracey, Joe Harriott, Tubby Hayes, Jack Constanzo, Harold McNair.

Fifty-nine varieties, or forty-nine varieties? Phil didn't really care, as he had so many variations and natural escapes when at his drumkit, that mere numbers had become obsolete. Which is exactly why, after having released the cd SWP 037 'The Late Great Phil Seamen' in 2009, with highlights of his playing from between 1954 and 1971, we have now released another compilation with more highlights of his playing: 'Volume 2'. Yep, more of the same – because it's all different! Every track wonderfully remastered, and comes with a 24-page booklet bristling with all kinds of relevant info, personal insights, and historical photos. Phil Seamen, was one of the great jazz drummers of the world. The most African of English drummers was born in 1926 in Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, died in 1972 in South-east London. Phil had an innate ability on the drums but alas, he was also a born raver – drug addiction increasingly dogged his career, and it cut short his life. Amongst others Kenny Clarke, Louis Bellson, Joe Morello, Philly Joe Jones were all big fans, Sir James Blades called him a 'percussion genius', to Ginger Baker he was 'God'.

Tracklist: 1. Now I have a Kit - 1972, 2. Manteca Suite - Phil Seamen Quintet 1956, 3. Sunbeam - Kenny Graham & his Satellites 1956, 4. Fog on the Hudson - Kenny Graham & his Satellites 1956, 5. Sunstroke - Kenny Graham & his Satellites 1956, 6. Tangerine - Don Carlos y su Orquestra 1959, 7. Chu-Chin-Cha-Cha-Cha - Don Carlos y su Orquestra 1959, 8. Lil' Pony - Georgie Fame & Harry South Big Band 1965, 9. Maenya - Vicortor Feldman Big Band 1955, 10. Li'l Old Pottsville - Stan Tracey Trio 1959, 11. We'll Call You - Stan Tracey Trio 1959, 12. Straight Lines - Joe Harriott Quintet 1960, 13. Harry Flicks - Harold McNair Quartet 1961, 14. Southern Suite Part II - Tubby Hayes Big Band 1961, 15. Cuban Fabtasy - Kenny Graham's Afro-Cubists 1957, Beats in the Belfry - Don Carlos y su Orquestra 1959, Sunset - Don Carlos y su Orquestra 1959.