JAZZ SABBATH - The 1968 Tapes - CD [NOV 29]

CD - The third album from this British jazz trio that plays (instrumental) jazz interpretations of Black Sabbath songs.

Helmed by pianist Adam Wakeman (Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne's solo band since 2004), Jazz Sabbath explores the boundaries between jazz and the songs that defined heavy metal. Echoing already present jazz riffs and discovering new ones.

Presenting themselves as a jazz trio formed in 1968 and being the original writers of the tracks, later made famous by Black Sabbath, this album features 7 unique jazz
arrangements based on Sabbath tracks from the period 1970-1973. On the album Adam is joined by Ash Soan on drums and Jack Tustin on bass, plus a list of guest musicians. However, all go by their 1960s pseudonyms.

"Although never released until recently, Jazz Sabbath's music has been finding its way to millions for over 50 years. Through a vicious cycle of personal tragedy and plagiarism the songs intended to change the jazz world ended up giving birth to a much darker sound. Now a third recording from the Sixties has resurfaced, perhaps their most important one.

In 1968 Jazz Sabbath were an instant hit on the UK jazz scene. It wasn’t long until they were offered a record deal. They spent weeks in the studio recording the tracks that got the heaviest reactions at their shows until they captured their live energy on tape. Unfortunately, the label manager told them the album was far too experimental and there was no hit potential. Ordered to play some of their ‘easier’ tracks instead, they reluctantly gave in.

The 2 albums that followed still are classics in their own right, but they were not mistaken in thinking they had recorded their best work in 1968. Like the tracks from their 2 albums, these tracks were also blatantly presented as 'original songs' by that band from Birmingham a few years later. Whether they copied them from live bootlegs or if they got their hands on the mix, it doesn’t really matter. Their lasting popularity, even in the crude way they were covered, only proves just how monumental these songs were and how record labels are often wrong.

With the truth now finally out there and that Birmingham band exposed as the musical charlatans they are, Jazz Sabbath have finally mastered the 1968 tapes to present their best work to the public."

Tracklist: 

1. Into The Void
2. Spiral Architect
3. Warning
4. The Wizard
5. Electric Funeral 
6. Supernaut 
7. War Pigs