John Surman's second album remains his most impressive, anticipating the sound and scope of the European free jazz movement that would blossom in the decade to come -- boasting an extraordinary roster highlighted by trumpeter Harry Beckett, tenorist Alan Skidmore and bassist Barre Phillips, How Many Clouds Can You See? captures a singular moment in the evolution of British jazz, forging a new and distinct sound with few musical antecedents. Surman is a force of nature here, wielding his baritone, soprano and bass clarinet as if they were weapons -- no less impressive is his control, however, and no matter how far How Many Clouds Can You See? may travel, the music never lapses into self-indulgence or swallows its own tail. Jason Ankeny
Tracklist :1 Galata Bridge 15:01
Alto Saxophone – Mike Osborne
Baritone Saxophone – John Surman
Bass – Harry Miller
Drums – Alan Jackson
Tenor Saxophone – Alan Skidmore
Trombone – Malcolm Griffiths
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Harold Beckett
2 Caractacus 4:19
Baritone Saxophone – John Surman
Drums – Alan Jackson
3 Premonition 4:27
Alto Saxophone – Mike Osborne
Baritone Saxophone, Flute – John Warren
Soprano Saxophone – John Surman
Tenor Saxophone, Flute – Alan Skidmore
Trombone – Chris Pyne, Malcolm Griffiths
Trumpet – Dave Holdsworth, Harold Beckett
Tuba – George Smith
Written-By – Warren
4 Event (18:42)
4a Gathering
4b Ritual
4c Circle Dance
5 How Many Clouds Can You See? 3:25
Credits
Baritone, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – John Surman (tracks: 4, 5)
Bass – Barre Phillips (tracks: 3 to 5)
Drums – Tony Oxley (tracks: 3 to 5)
Piano – John Taylor (tracks: 1, 3 to 5)
Written-By – Surman (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 5)
