Space Walk is an album by British jazz saxophonist Don Rendell, recorded in December 1970 and released on the EMI Columbia label in 1972 as part of their Lansdowne Series. This was Rendell's final recording under the Lansdowne banner before moving to Spotlite Records.[1] Space Walk continued Rendell's exploration of modern modal jazz and displayed the enduring influence of John Coltrane on Rendell's composition and playing.[1][2][3]
| Space Walk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Studio album by | |
| Released | 1972 |
| Recorded | December 1970 |
| Studio | Lansdowne Studios, Holland Park, London |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Length | 39.45 |
| Label | Lansdowne Records / EMI Columbia Records SCX 6491 |
| Producer | Denis Preston |
Reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllAboutJazz |    [4] |
| Jazzwise | [5] |
In a reissue review of Space Walk, AllAboutJazz scored the album 3 ½ stars, considering the album's music to be "vigorous and adventurous" but one that fell "outside the prevailing currents of jazz rock and free jazz".[4] In a more sympathetic reappraisal of Space Walk as part of a 2021 reissue by Decca Records, Jazzwise noted that Rendell bravely deviated from the brass and saxophone orthodoxy of the time by using twin tenor saxophones in the frontline. The composition, "Euroaquillo", was also highlighted as best exemplifying Rendell's "affinity to post-hard-bop-into-middle-period-Coltrane". Jazzwise awarded the album 4 stars and the status of "Editor's choice".[5]
Track listing
editAll compositions by Don Rendell except where noted.
- "On the Way" - 5:45
- "Antibes" - 7:10
- "Summer Song" - 6:18
- "The Street Called Straight" - 5:27
- "Euroaquilo" (Stan Robinson) - 7:16
- "A Matter of Time" (Dave Quincy, Trevor Tomkins) - 5:29
- "Space Walk" (Peter Shade) - 5:29
Personnel
edit- Don Rendell – tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, flute, alto flute
- Stan Robinson – tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute
- Peter Shade – vibraphone, flute
- Jack Thorncraft – bass, acoustic
- Trevor Tomkins – percussion
References
edit- ^ a b Ansell, Derek (23 August 2021). "Don Rendell Quintet: Space Walk". Jazz Journal. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ Fordham, John (16 July 2011). "Journeys in Modern Jazz: Britain 1965-1972 review – a pivotal period". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ Vacher, Peter (29 October 2015). "Don Rendell obituary". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b May, Chris (7 July 2021). "Don Rendell Quintet: Space Walk". AllAboutJazz. CafeMedia. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
- ^ a b Nicholson, Stuart (1 September 2021). "Don Rendell Quintet: Space Walk". Jazzwise Magazine. Mark Allen Group. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.