ONE LP PORTRAITS: COMPILATION: Bill Birch: Author

“I discovered the vinyl album “Free for All” (Speciality SP2161) in 1990 whilst visiting New York City and recognised its rarity immediately, even though it had only been released 4 years earlier, (1986). Speciality Records was not your usual run-of-the-mill jazz label, so a short run was more than likely what had happened. The liner notes confirmed my suspicions as the recording had been long-forgotten, even by the man who produced it, David Axelrod. I was immediately hooked with his style and finesse but especially taken with his tone. So much so that I now have 94 LPs/CDs, either under his own leadership or otherwise featured with different bands, large or small. In a “blindfold test” of his recordings I’m certain I could pick him out without hesitation, regardless of the number of trombonists put before me.It remained un-released for 10 years after Rosolino’s untimely death, in spite of his many promptings to the company after completion. He believed it was the best album he’d ever made and I wouldn’t dispute that for a moment!”Bill Birch: Midland Hotel, Manchester 10th June 2012Frank Rosolino: Free For All 1959Bill Birch - Keeper of The Flame - Modern Jazz in Manchester, 1946 - 1972
Bill Birch: Author, Frank Rosolino: Free For All

 

“I discovered the vinyl album “Free for All” (Speciality SP2161) in 1990 whilst visiting New York City and recognised its rarity immediately, even though it had only been released 4 years earlier, (1986). Speciality Records was not your usual run-of-the-mill jazz label, so a short run was more than likely what had happened. The liner notes confirmed my suspicions as the recording had been long-forgotten, even by the man who produced it, David Axelrod. 

I was immediately hooked with his style and finesse but especially taken with his tone. So much so that I now have 94 LPs/CDs, either under his own leadership or otherwise featured with different bands, large or small. In a “blindfold test” of his recordings I’m certain I could pick him out without hesitation, regardless of the number of trombonists put before me. 

It remained un-released for 10 years after Rosolino’s untimely death, in spite of his many promptings to the company after completion. He believed it was the best album he’d ever made and I wouldn’t dispute that for a moment!” 

Bill Birch: Midland Hotel, Manchester 10th June 2012 

Frank Rosolino: Free For All 1959 

Bill Birch - Keeper of The Flame - Modern Jazz in Manchester, 1946 - 1972