“Free Form” is an album by Joe Harriott, recorded on November 23 and 30, 1960, at Lansdowne Studios, London, and originally released on Jazzland Records (JLP 949S). The Jazz Workshop Vinyl reissue as a 180-gram audiophile LP (JW-101) revives this record with remastering that highlights the saxophone’s clarity. The lineup features Joe Harriott (alto saxophone), Shake Keane (trumpet), Pat Smythe (piano), Coleridge Goode (bass), and Phil Seamen (drums). The album includes Harriott’s originals like Abstract and Formation, exploring free-form concepts. The music balances hard bop and avant-garde, with Harriott’s saxophone bold and inventive. The Jazz Workshop reissue, limited to 500 copies, is prized for its detailed sound, capturing London’s atmosphere. “Free Form” is a groundbreaking record, showcasing Harriott’s visionary approach.
Joe Harriott (July 15, 1928 – January 2, 1973) was a Jamaican-British alto saxophonist, a pioneer of British and free jazz. Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he moved to London in 1951, becoming a key figure in the jazz scene. Inspired by Charlie Parker and Ornette Coleman, Harriott developed a unique style, blending bebop with avant-garde experiments. His quintet in the 1960s was a platform for innovative ideas, including the “free form” concept. Harriott collaborated with British and Indian musicians, creating cross-cultural projects. His recordings, like Free Form, remain landmarks of European jazz. Later, he taught, inspiring a new generation.
TRACKLIST
Side One:
1. Formation (Joe Harriott) 6:07
2. Coda (Joe Harriott) 7:54
3. Abstract (Joe Harriott) 3:32
4. Impression (Joe Harriott) 5:25
Side Two:
1. Parallel (Joe Harriott) 5:34
2. Straight Lines (Joe Harriott) 5:52
3. Calypso Sketches (Joe Harriott) 4:40
4. Tempo (Joe Harriott) 6:21
Personnel:
Joe Harriott Quintet
Shake Keane (trumpet & flugelhorn), Joe Harriott (alto sax), Pat Smythe (piano), Coleridge Goode (bass), Phil Seamen (drums).
Recorded at Lansdowne Studios, London, November 23 & 30, 1960
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