HATFIELD AND THE NORTH — Hatfield and the North (review)

HATFIELD AND THE NORTH — Hatfield and the North album cover Album · 1974 · Jazz Related Rock Buy this album from MMA partners
5/5 ·
Warthur
A true Canterbury supergroup, Hatfield and the North brought together the qualities of its various members previous bands - combining the whimsicality of Gong, the sense of humour of Caravan, the jazz-rock chops of Matching Mole and the complexity and flair of Egg. The group blend all of their musical styles perfectly to create a whole that is far greater than the sum of its parts, with a mood that ranges from the tranquil (Calyx, Fol de Rol) to the frenetic (Shaving Is Boring).

The instrumentalists are at the peak of their game - Phil Miller's guitar playing and Dave Stewart's ever-charming keyboard are particular treats. On top of that, the band shows an appreciation for the use of the voice as an instrument; Richard Sinclair proves willing to make the most unusual voices as part of his singing, the Northettes add an extra layer to the music with their angelic backing harmonies, and pal of the band Robert Wyatt puts in a guest appearance on Calyx (marking, incidentally, his return to professional musicianship following the life-changing accident which put paid to Matching Mole). Finding a perfect balance between the jazz fusion direction explored by Canterbury elder statesmen Soft Machine and the more whimsical approach of the likes of Caravan and Gong, the first Hatfield and the North album is a vital album for anyone exploring the Canterbury style of fusion.

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

Review Index

Member Zone

Username:
Password:
Stay signed in

Jazz Subgenres

Artists Alpha-index

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

More Is Fusion
CHRISTIAN MCBRIDE
Buy this album from MMA partners
Mozart Paradox Third Stream
THOMAS ENHCO
Buy this album from MMA partners
Jazzisdead Live Eclectic Fusion
RUINSZU
Buy this album from MMA partners
Avant Gonz Avant-Garde Jazz
JERRY BERGONZI
Buy this album from MMA partners
Julien Tassin, Heikki Ruokangas : Behind the Mask Jazz Related Improv/Composition
HEIKKI RUOKANGAS
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Mundoagua II Mundoagua
ARTURO O'FARRILL
js· 1 day ago
Brass Happy (Live)
DENNIS KYNE
js· 1 day ago
GoGo Penguin - Fallowfield Loops
GOGO PENGUIN
snobb· 1 day ago
Somewhere That's Green
DEB BOWMAN
js· 2 days ago
If I Try
TONY GREY
js· 2 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us
Become a Facebook fan RSS Feed