Ian Carr - Belladonna  (HALF SPEED MASTERED VINYL)
 
RELEASED APRIL 30TH 
 
Originally released on the Vertigo label, complete with collectable 'swirl' record centre 
design, this sought-after jazz-rock-fusion rarity features some of the cream of the UK
jazz musicians of the 70's. Comprised from groups such as Nucleus, Brian Auger's band, 
Soft Machine, Stan Tracy group, the players included Brian Smith (tenor and soprano s
axophones, alto and bamboo flutes), legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth, Dave MacRae
(Fender electric piano), and bassist Roy Babbington, to name but a few.
 
Seen as a benchmark point in Ian Carr's career, 'Belladonna' is awash with atmospheric
excursions and ethereal qualities, as well as a darker fusion aesthetic and prog-rock
sensibility from Holdsworth's exceptional guitar playing. The moody, yet funky, vibe of
the album has echoes of Miles Davis' electronic era à la 'In A Silent Way'.
 
The album is best enjoyed played in its entirety. There are ebbs and flows with certain
tracks shining along the way. Standouts include the beautiful down-tempo track 'Summer
Rain', which has a soundtrack / library style brilliance and emotional electric piano soloing.
Though recorded in the 70's, the track has a timeless sound, a melancholic funk so often
used in hip-hop and beat tape productions to this day. 'Mayday's Shaft-like long extended intro
builds the drama until the percussive release when the drums drop at over three minutes in.
 
To give a record of such quality the treatment it deserves, we have once again been lucky to
enlist the service of mastering and lacquer cutting engineering don Miles Showell at Abbey Road
Studios, to cut a brand-new half-speed master and let the music speak for itself.
Tracklisting:
 
1. Belladonna
2. Summer Rain
3. Remadione
4. Mayday
5. Suspension
6. Hector’s House