Magnetic Waves of Sound - The Best Of The Move

(Esoteric Recordings)

In September this year it will be the 50th anniversary of the launch of the exciting sound of Radio 1. The record that launched a new era in pop music broadcasting was The Move’s Flowers in The Rain. If the Birmingham Pop Rock outfit had never produced another single its highly likely that they would still be remembered for that historical track, but thankfully there was much more to savour and enjoy.

Magnetic Waves of Sound revisits the bands greatest hits and classic album tracks recorded between 1967 and 1971. Digitally remastered, fans can hear with crisp clarity, the energy of hits Fire Brigade, I Can Hear the Grass Grow and the 1969 number one Blackberry Way.

The Move featured a multitude of talented performers as it changed line-ups, among them Roy Wood, Carl Wayne and later Jeff Lynne and this release demonstrates how the band’s sound metamorphosised from 1967’s psych-pop outing Night Of Fear to the ELO’s classical pop beginnings in 1971s California Man.

Accompanying the CD is a DVD with key TV appearances and promo films, a real slice of pop history catching the band at their live peak in the late 60s.

Piano – Jools Holland

(EastWest Records)

Having witnessed Jools Holland perform live with his big band in Cardiff back in 2015, I was really taken with how his energy and passion for music of all genres comes over to his audience. Jools has the rare ability to project that same energy and passion into his recordings. His new album Piano is no exception, be it the tranquil atmosphere of Olivier Messiaen’s May, the brilliant reworking of B Bumble and The Stingers’ Bumble Boogie,or Holland’s written collaboration with Brian Eno, Last Date, there is much to encourage repeated listening and maybe a little air-piano playing if there is such a thing (and trust me, there is!)

Andy Howells