Elton Dean - Elton Dean's Unlimited Saxophone Company (Second Edition) (2024)

Elton is a central figure both in the development of the British jazz scene through the '70s and beyond, and in the rock scene at the time. Known to wider audiences through his connection to the Soft Machine, his sinuous, post-Coltrane lines on alto and the rare saxello appear in many progressive contexts in the period. His compositions were strong too, reflecting an interest in melody and lyricism, and this band is a showcase for the strength of his music. It also demonstrates Elton's abilities as an arranger - the unusual line up extracts gold from these already fine pieces in it's ensemble sonorities. Of course, the band is top-notch, featuring the finest UK saxists of the time, with a wonderful rhythm section. Tony Levin in particular is an undersung hero of the drums.

The Unlimited Saxophone Company was a short-lived band. As far as we can tell there were only three gigs: 7th May 1989 at the Community Centre, London (London Jazz Saxophone Festival); 5th April 1991 at the Vortex, London and the May edition of the Europa Jazz Festival, Le Mans 1991. The first was recorded and released on Ogun, and is reissued here. The last was filmed by Phillipe Renaud. As this music is so rare we’ve taken the decision to have the sound from that concert mastered and offer it with this as a download on the CD only.

Original album recorded at the Covent Garden Jazz Saxophone Festival 1989 and released on CD by Ogun in 1990. Reissued 24 May 2024 with new artwork and notes.

Elton Dean - alto sax, saxello
Paul Dunmall - tenor & baritone saxes
Trevor Watts - alto sax
Simon Pickard - tenor sax
Paul Rogers - double bass
Tony Levin - drums