IAN CARR - Belladonna (2021 Half Speed Re-Master) IAN CARR

Official half-speed mastered reissue of Ian Carr's iconic jazz-fusion-rock hybrid Belladonna from 1972.

Originally released on the Vertigo label, complete with the collectable "Swirl" record centre design, this sought-after jazz-rock fusion rarity features some of the cream of the UK jazz musicians of the '70s. Comprised of players from groups such as Nucleus, Brian Auger's Band, Soft Machine, and Stan Tracey Group, the musicians included Brian Smith (tenor and soprano saxophones, alto and bamboo flutes), legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth, Dave MacRae (Fender electric piano), and bassist Roy Babbington, to name but a few.

Seen as a benchmark point in Ian Carr's career, Belladonna is awash with atmospheric excursions and ethereal qualities, as well as a darker fusion aesthetic and prog-rock sensibility from Holdsworth's exceptional guitar playing. The moody, yet funky, vibe of the album has echoes of Miles Davis' electronic era à la In A Silent Way.

The album is best enjoyed played in its entirety. There are ebbs and flows, with certain tracks shining along the way. Standouts include the beautiful downtempo track Summer Rain, which has a soundtrack/library-style brilliance and emotional electric piano soloing.

Though recorded in the '70s, the track has a timeless sound, a melancholic funk so often used in hip-hop and beat tape productions to this day. Mayday's Shaft-like extended intro builds the drama until the percussive release when the drums drop more than three minutes in.

To give a record of such quality the treatment it deserves, we have once again been lucky to enlist the services of mastering and lacquer-cutting engineer Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios to cut a brand-new half-speed master and let the music speak for itself.