|
PHIL MILLER / IN CAHOOTS
|
Fred Baker • Elton Dean • Jim Dvorak • Mark Fletcher • Barbra Gaskin • Hugh Hopper • Peter Lemer • Phil Miller • Pip Pyle • Dave Stewart
|
|
ALL THAT
RUNE 181
|
Featuring great players from the worlds of both jazz and rock, In Cahoots is one of the best groups producing new jazz fusion in the U.K. today. It was formed in 1982 by composer and guitarist Phil Miller as a vehicle for his own compositions, jazz-inflected tunes notable for their unique melodies, intricacy, passages for passionate soloing, and expert use of rhythm. Showcasing Miller’s sublime compositions and contributions by others, and absolutely stellar playing by all involved, All That is one smoking disc. It is essential listening for followers of Phil Miller’s work as well as all fans of fusion and British jazz. Phil Miller has performed with Delivery, Matching Mole, Hatfield and the North and National Health. All That features the lineup of Miller (guitar), Peter Lemer (keyboards), Jim Dvorak (trumpet), Elton Dean (alto & C melody sax, and saxello), Fred Baker (bass guitar), and Mark Fletcher (drums). Phil's mature writing and the crack ensemble deliver the goods. Whether you call it rocked up jazz or jazzed up rock, it is exciting, excellently played music.
“The British have a long history of putting the conventions of jazz-rock fusion to better use than their American counterparts do, and guitarist/composer Phil Miller is a case in point. Leading a sextet he calls In Cahoots, Miller offers a solid set of muscular, no-nonsense modern jazz that delivers plenty of intellectual interest without ever descending into navel-gazing solo wankery and without ever sacrificing its powerful groove. True, much of this stuff is most definitely music for musicians -- check out the long, complex "Black Cat," for example (taking note of Pete Lemer's sparkling keyboard work and Fred Baker's huge fretless bass tone), or the rhythmically and melodically sideways "Sleight of Hand." But toward the end of the program Miller and company suddenly become much more friendly and accessible, with the absolutely lovely and surprisingly straight-ahead Latin jazz of "Upside" (composed by Baker) and a gorgeous ballad by Miller entitled "Out There." Great stuff. ” – All Music Guide
.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
DIGGING IN
RUNE 34
|
Digging In is very studio oriented, featuring lots of superb fretwork by Phil, plus help from Pip Pyle, Peter Lemer, and Fred Baker.
"A single Phil Miller album is, in 1988, a greater event than ten Miles Davis albums. More!" Puls (Norway).
"...like a 90's version of Brand X."-Pulse. |
|
 |
CUTTING BOTH WAYS
RUNE 11
|
Cutting Both Ways was the 1st disc he issued as a leader, and he works with Dave Stewart and Barbara Gaskin, and with "In Cahoots" [Hugh Hopper, Elton Dean, Pip Pyle, and Peter Lemer]. |
THIS TITLE IS OUT OF PRINT
|
|
