Super rare 1970s British jazz from Joy: Chris Francis, James Dvorak, Frank Roberts, Ernest Mothle, Keith Bailey reflecting the young, multicultural, vibrant flavours of mid-70s London. Funky, hip, committed, Joy is one of the forgotten gems of London jazz
Originally released in 1976 on vinyl, Cadillac and Joy are delighted to offer a first CD/Digital reissue with extra, previously unissued material and an LP reissue of the original release reissued for the first time on vinyl and remastered for LP at Gearbox Studios. The album has been remixed and remastered from the original tapes.
The mid-70s should be seen as a vibrant and fecund period for British jazz including Spear, Molongo, The Brotherhood of Breath, Keith Tippett and Elton Dean’s groups and and others were bands such as The Quintet (Joy’s direct precursor), Keith Bailey’s Orbit, Chris Francis’ Naima, Maggie Nichols’ Voice, Dave Defries’ Lemonspiel, Gary Windo’s I Dogu featuring Frank Roberts, Quincicasm, Landscape, Harry Becket’s Joy Unlimited, Isotope – all working with the punk ethic and generating a special scene. Joy was part of this: there was undoubtedly a buzz around this hip young multicultural band featuring London musicians from South Africa, The Caribbean, The US and UK. The LP that came out in 1976 only increased the buzz: one of the best of the bands playing in the contemporary post-bop style but with their own material.
Press for Joy
Mojo Magazine July issue – 4 STARS
“Check the emergence of Spirals from Do You Know The Way at the end of side one if you want to know what the gear change on a magic carpet feels like.” – Ben Thompson
Shindig Magazine July 2023
“Times change, but the cracking music within remains constant” – Thomas Patterson
The Beat Magazine July 2023
“…it’s a hip, but timeless repertoire – straightforward and uncomplicated, and delivered with a youthful breezy flair.” – Russell Newmark
Jazzwise Magazine July 2023 – 4 STARS
“The tunes, all self-composed, are exceptionally strong and the playing – and interplay – superb…If ever a band and an album were aptly-named, it’s Joy.” – Kevin Whitlock
Financial Times – 4 STARS
“Strong musical personalities, brash commitment and London’s melting pot of free jazz, international connections and UK blues and soul added a distinctly British slant.” – Mike Hobart
Presto Music – Album of the Week
“Incorporating elements of boundary-pushing jazz that had come before it, Joy highlights the intrinsic influence of pioneers such as John Surman and Alan Skidmore whilst displaying an acutely perceptive edge of its own making.” – Barney Whittaker
credits
Alto Saxophone – Chris Francis
Trumpet – James Dvorak
Piano – Frank Roberts
Bass – Ernest Mothle
Drums – Keith Bailey
Cadillac Records 