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Jade Warrior — Jade Warrior
(Vertigo 6360 033, 1971, LP)

Jade Warrior — Last Autumn's Dream
(Vertigo 6360 079, 1972, CD)

Jade Warrior — Released
(Vertigo 6360 062, 1971, LP)

by Jeff Melton, Published 2001-03-01

Jade Warrior Cover artLast Autumn's Dream Cover artReleased Cover art

After much effort and personal attention from the Hi-Note label, the set of the first three Jade Warrior albums is now available for mass consumption. Previous CD releases from Germany were poor transfers to digital, having been mastered from LPs and lacking any advantage from a sympathetic re-mastering process. I'm glad to relate that the introductory albums contain vast sonic improvement above even their vinyl counterparts. What I've discerned from the rework is a distinct improvement in highs, particularly related to piano, flute, and softer passages. For those of you requiring an introduction to a few of the outstanding tracks, here's my quick take: The first album from the band dates from 1971. The band core centered on guitarist, Tony Duhig, flautist, and percussionist, Jon Field and bassist, vocalist Glyn Havard. The group quickly proved that they could arrange intricate pieces with subtle themes, jazzy moods, and African rhythms. Representative tracks include "A Prenormal Day in Brighton," "Psychiatric Sargent," and "Slow Ride." The band's second album, Released was issued on Vertigo Records with an enhanced personnel roster (including guitarist Dave Duhig and drummer Allan Price). With this LP, the group was starting to refine their craft of instrumental workouts with the fifteen-minute "Barazinbar" being the major showcase song on the album. The third album, from late 1972, Last Autumn's Dream was my first exposure to the band and I believe the most balanced set of tracks. The ensemble was weighing equally Havard's passive ballads, ("A Winter's Tale,"" Lady of the Lake"), cheesy hard rock ("Snake Bite," " The Demon Trucker") and aggressive rhythmic workouts with blistering lead guitar ("Dark River," " Obedience"). Sadly this was the last release by this line-up until Duhig and Field resurfaced on Island records in 1974. In 1998 Acme and Hi-Note Music released the fourth and fifth chronological recordings of the group, thus filling in the gaps of the ensemble's history and providing additional pieces to dissect. There are also tentative plans for a new album as well as possible re-release of the vinyl-only Horizen waiting in the wings. Now that more of the catalog is available, it's time for collectors to gather the wagons and fork out the dough.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 21, 1971 releases, 1972 releases

Related artist(s): Jade Warrior

 

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