Pete York´s New York – What´s The Racket (1981)

After four years with the jazz-focused Chris Barber Band, drummer Pete York departed to form his own group, recruiting bassist Steve Richardson, Mel Thorpe on horns and woodwinds, and synth/keyboardist Roger Munns. Signing to the German Teldec label, the band released four Germany-only albums, kicking off with its 1980 debut, Into the Furnace, produced by Thomas Martin.

York’s time with Barber was well spent; it gave the drummer his first opportunity to play in a jazz ensemble, an experience he wasn’t ready to leave behind just yet. Thus, much of Into the Furnace is jazz-inspired, although with ribbons of rock and R&B streaming through, the band creates a hybrid sound far removed from the fusion most groups parleyed when crossing these genres.

Here´s the scond album by Pete York´s New York … and it´s another highlight in the long career of Mr. Superdumming Pete York:

You can hear one of the few Pete York compositions “What´s The Racket” … a hell of of jazz-rock tune …

And his “Chicken Chasing Charlie” is indeed a remake of his “Extension 345” from the third Hardin & York album “For The World” (1972)

“Pamplona” is a very fine acoustic guitar track, somposed and playd by Steve Richardson.

And Mel Thorpe was a monster on his instruments … listen to his saxophone and flute (“Segura Samba”)

Pete York´s New York was one of the best periods in Pete York´s career … a criminally underrated jazz group …

I gues this album was never released on CD … so … listen to one af the rarest Pete York recordings.

Pete York – Steve Richardson – Roger Munns

 

Personnel:
Roger Munns (keyboards, synthesizer)
Steve Richardson (bass, guitar)
Mel Thorpe (saxophone, flute, clarinet)
Pete York (drums, percussion)

Tracklist:
01. What’s The Racket (York) 3.52
02. Segura Samba (Thorpe/Munns) + Pamplona (Richardson) 7.43
03. Seguidillas Gitanas (Thorpe/Munns) 3.38
04. Hobgoblin (Thorpe/Munns) 2.51
05. Happy (Richardson) 3.21
06. Lucky For Some (Thorpe/Munns) 4.20
07. Chicken Chasing Charlie (York) 10.21

*
**

Pete York´s New York – Into The Furnace (1980)

After four years with the jazz-focused Chris Barber Band, drummer Pete York departed to form his own group, recruiting bassist Steve Richardson, Mel Thorpe on horns and woodwinds, and synth/keyboardist Roger Munns. Signing to the German Teldec label, the band released three European-only albums, kicking off with its 1980 debut, Into the Furnace, produced by Thomas Martin. York’s time with Barber was well spent; it gave the drummer his first opportunity to play in a jazz ensemble, an experience he wasn’t ready to leave behind just yet. Thus, much of Into the Furnace is jazz-inspired, although with ribbons of rock and R&B streaming through, the band creates a hybrid sound far removed from the fusion most groups parleyed when crossing these genres.

“This Time,” for instance, slides adroitly between R&B, boogie, Britbeat, and modern jazz, subtly connecting the dots between these interconnected styles. “Ways and Means” blends jazz, rock, and a funky-fired bassline; other numbers slip into proggier territory, reaching an apotheosis with the flute-led jazz-rocker title track and the storming “Reason Why,” an incendiary jazz-rocker that slams straight into a fevered boogie-woogie.

York’s own Britbeat past is revisited on a punchy cover of “Gimme Some Lovin’,” but is best experienced on the group’s own “Blue Mountain Roll,” which digs deep into the blues, hitting veins of inspired jazz saxophone and majestic rock synth along the way. This was an adventurous set, and suffered accordingly — too rocking for jazz fans and too jazzy for the rockers, while the R&B, blues, and funk that underpin a number of the pieces were too few and far between for lovers of ’60s musical Americana. Today, however, when recycling of styles is so prevalent, this set sounds not just fresh, but thoroughly at home. This reissue appends three bonus tracks to the original album, all recorded a few years later upon the arrival of singer/organist Eddie Harden (another Spencer Davis Group alumni) and all venturing down musical avenues similar to the mother set. (by Jo-Ann Greene)

If Pete York had laid down his drumsticks after helping Spencer Davis Group become mid 60’s chart legends, he would have already written his name into the annals of music history. Fortunately, he failed to do so and plays on today, a role model for percussionists and much loved and respected by fans and fellow musicians alike. “”Into The Furnace”” eas originally issued in Europe only during 1980 and has become a much sought after item as vinyl only release. Pete said “”People come up to me after gigs asking me to sign their copies so I think once the CD comes out it will have an audience””. Remastered by Pete with 3 bonus tracks and now available for the first time on CD. If you can stand the heat, dear listener, it’s time to try a sizzling slice of New York….

This is the debut album and it´s one of the finest albums, Pete York ever recorded.

A strong jazz-rock album wie a great jazz version of “Gimme Some Lovin´”. Another hightlight ist tha ballad “Blue Mountain Roll”.

The three bonus tracks were from the album “Hardin & New York” from 1981 (without Eddie Hardin)

Personnel:
Roger Munns (keyboards, vocals)
Steve Richardson (bass)
Mel Thorpe (flute, saxophone, clarinet, vocals)
Pete York (drums, percussion)

Tracklist:
01. This Time (Thorpe) 4.08
02. Ways And Means (Thorpe/Munns) 3.46
03. Schtick (Richardson) 4.38
04. Now I Know (Thorpe/Munns) 2.36
05. Gimme Some Loving (S.Winwood/M.Winwood/Davis) 3.19
06. Into The Furnace (Thorpe/Munns) 2.51
07. Blue Mountain Roll (Thorpe/Munns) 5.01
08. New Tomorrow (Thorpe/Munns) 3.53
09. Water Fall (Richardson) 3.44
10. The Reasons Why (Thorpe/Munns) 2.34
+
11. Dreamland (Thorpe/Munns) 5.05
12. Carnival Is Coming (Richardson) 3.27
13. Give Me Be-Bop (Thorpe/Munns) 2.32

*
**