This is a CD release of a rare 10” LP original by The Michael Garrick Trio entitled Moonscapes. The original release was limited to 99 copies and has been known as a rare find, and a very expensive item - going for as much as £1500-2000 in mint condition.
Moonscapes was recorded in 1964 and was pianist Michael Garrick’s first jazz recording, exploring the then new ‘free jazz’ territories with smooth, moon-inspired keyboard sounds.
The floaty, easy-going improvisations on Moonscapes were inspired by 2 poems written by Jeremy Robson on “Israel Sketches” and “A Face in the Crowd”, as well as a third poem written by John Smith for “Man, Have You Ever Heard”, all pieces and improvisations are also original material.
The instruments in the Michael Garrick Trio – namely upright bass, drums and piano - provide a very intimate, uncluterred listening experience, but don't think this small group wasn't able to produce an awful lot of noise. “Music For Shattering Supermarkets” and “Face in the Crowd” provide evidence that suggests quite the opposite.
The quality of the sound on Moonscapes is not of the most pristine quality; it was remastered from the original 10” record. Instread of detracting from the record, this imperfection adds to the dreamy, moonstruck quality of the album.
Jazz pianist Michael Garrick has gone on to become one of Britain’s most acclaimed jazz pianists, and this record testifies to his prolific early years, showing new beginnings in British free-jazz improvisation.
