Search - Elton Dean :: Just Us

(from Popwatch #10)

Jwmojohand@aol.com | Mishawaka, IN USA | 02/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These tracks, recorded 1971-72, feature UK jazz stalwarts still reeling from the electric Miles revolution. That's merely "electric," mind you, which came just prior to the everyone-in-the-band-has-a-wah-wah-pedal era. These are great jams -- even better than rivals Colosseum, and more distinctly jazzish than Weather Report. The use of electricity is limited to bass, piano vibrations, and an electric guitar impersonation courtesy of guesting Soft Machine organist Mike Ratledge. The stars of the show are Mark Charig on cornet and Dean on alto and saxello. This is a great choice for the UK jazz novice as well as a chance to get familiar with some of the scene's biggies; a couple of different groups back Dean and Charig on this and everyone cooks. -- Jack Walton, Popwatch magazine #10"

The late Elton Dean's classic debut albun finally on CD!!! W

Jason Pumphrey | Falls Church, Virginia United States | 10/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's great to have the late Elton Dean's classic debut album "Just Us" finally on CD!!! I wore my rare vinyl LP out!!! Great for Soft Machine fans!!! Actually some of the tracks were recorded by the Softs'(Blind Badger,and Neo Caliban Grides). This CD is a great spin,it also adds 2 bonus tracks to the lineup!!! The great musicians on this album,now CD are:Elton Dean:Sax,Saxello,Electric Piano,Phil Howard:Drums,Neville Whitehead:Electric Bass,Marc Charig:Cornet,Roy Babbington:Double Bass,and Mike Ratledge:organ. Actully,most of the musicians on this recording were members of Soft Machine at one time or another!!! Great CD remastering job by the folks at Cuniform Records!!! A jazz rock classic!!! Two thumbs up!!! Five stars!!! A+"

Is it Jazz?

Ianham | Ross-shire, Scotland | 06/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok let's run back several decades to a time when Coltrane had died just as David Crosby and George Beatle were starting to dig him. Miles Davis had up to that point lagged behind his ex-partner in the celebrity endorsements. All of a sudden Miles started to listen to Hendrix, wore funky clothes bought by his girlfiend and invented hip hop on some corner or other. In 1970-72 fusion was new and exciting and very very twiddly. Miles thought the filmore was smelly but he was prepared to play second fiddle to rock bands just to get bums on seats and pay the bills. So far so good so where does Elton fit in..... Well he sort of doesn't. Elton and his pals Mark Charig, Nick Evans & Lyn Dobson all of a sudden start appearing all over british records blowing seven bells out of their respective instruments and in doing so made many of the US accoustic musicians seem ...well dull and/or anal. (Honourable exception goes to Pharoah )This wasn't the horns ala Chicago or Blood Sweat and Turpentine - this was plugged into what Coltrane was aiming for. This jazz was not rooted in the blues but on inspiration. The rock element was intergral but not dominant. Unlike fusion it was not how many notes you played but the spaces left between them. Most of all it mattered and you it felt right. It was not supper club, it was not recital, it was not background. It was in your face and guess what... it still is. Buy this CD and annoy your neighbours (note UK spelling). In fact put it on the car stereo up loud and get arrested... it's that good. In my book Elton is up there with John.



I commend this CD to the house (PS this is my first US review I think - the UK server was down or something.)



Happy Jazzin."