The album was Bruce's minute solo album to achieve the market; it was released inwards the United Kingdom of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland inwards belatedly 1970, as well as inwards the U.S. inwards early on 1971. However, it was his commencement solo album to hold upward recorded, every bit it was recorded inwards August 1968, piece Bruce was yet a fellow member of the rock power trio Cream.
Things We Like is Bruce's exclusively instrumental album, by as well as large containing tunes that Bruce claims to bring composed inwards 1955, when he was twelve years of age. The album also prominently features Bruce's technique on the double bass, an musical instrument he rarely otherwise recorded with.
Whereas most of Bruce's recorded operate prior to this album was inwards the rock or blues music genres, Things We Like is jazz-flavoured, inwards item drawing from 1950s bebop as well as 1960s free jazz influences. The album did non nautical chart upon its release.
Bruce had previously worked amongst 2 of his backing musicians on Things We Like – guitarist John McLaughlin as well as saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith – during his tenures amongst the Graham Bond Organisation as well as Graham Bond Quartet prior to joining Cream. (In particular, the Graham Bond Quartet, including Bruce as well as McLaughlin, produced a alive recording of Things We Like's "HCKHH Blues", nether its sum championship "Ho Ho Country Kickin' Blues", inwards 1963; this rail appears on the 1970 Graham Bond compilation album Solid Bond.) Bond's band was also Bruce's connectedness to drummer Jon Hiseman, who joined that band after Bruce's departure. Bruce would after operate in 1 lawsuit again amongst McLaughlin inwards The Tony Williams Lifetime, as well as completed his concluding tour amongst Lifetime inwards the United Kingdom of Great Britain as well as Northern Ireland inwards belatedly 1970, at nigh the fourth dimension Things We Like was released there.
The rail "Ageing Jack Bruce, Three, From Scotland, England" was recorded during the album's sessions but omitted from the album due to the length restrictions of the LP.
The original album featured a distinctly jazz stereo mix amongst the drums inwards the correct paw channel only, similar to Miles Davis's 1960s Quintet releases. The 1988 U.S.A. Polydor CD release featured a to a greater extent than rock-oriented mix amongst the drums centered, as well as bass as well as sax inwards the left as well as correct channels respectively. The 2003 CD re-issue features the original jazz mix. While both mono as well as stereo versions of Things We Like were issued every bit promotional albums to U.S.A. radio stations inwards 1971, a mono version of the album has non been commercially issued. Wiki
Enthusiasts expecting to quest heed a continuation of the type of fabric that Jack Bruce (bass) had been responsible for during his tenure(s) amongst Cream or the Graham Bond Organisation mightiness hold upward inwards for quite a stupor when spinning Things We Like (1970) for the commencement time. Instead of an album's worth of blues-based rockers, the 7 instrumentals characteristic Bruce amongst other old Graham Bond stablemates John McLaughlin (guitar), Jon Hiseman (drums), as well as Dick Heckstall-Smith (sax) performing post-bop as well as complimentary jazz. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 bulk of the compositions were penned past times Bruce inwards his preteen days of formal scholarship at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, where he also mastered the cello as well as composed a string quartet at the historic catamenia of 11. After having gained meaning clout from Cream, Bruce assembled what was initially a trio. However, after a quest a opportunity coming together amongst McLaughlin -- who was so broke he had to reject an offering to wing stateside to bring together the newly formed Tony Williams Lifetime -- Bruce incorporated the guitarist into the plication inwards gild to aid him finance his journey, which was ultimately successful. The entire seek was recorded as well as mixed inwards less than a calendar week during August of 1968 -- less than 3 months prior to the infamous Farewell Concert of Cream at the Royal Albert Hall on Nov 26, 1968.
As a testament to Bruce's expansive musical tastes, capabilities, as well as horizons, this disc sounds to a greater extent than similar a collection of Rahsaan Roland Kirk sides than anything fifty-fifty remotely connected amongst Cream. This is peculiarly truthful of the frenetic pacing of the brief opener, "Over the Cliff." Heckstall-Smith's powerfulness to perform alto as well as soprano saxophone simultaneously likewise lends itself to Kirk's distinct reed polyphony. "Statues" is an interesting exercise, in 1 lawsuit again amongst Heckstall-Smith providing around first-class extemporaneous blows during the darkly toned introduction working good against the nimble melody. While Hiseman's mode is decidedly less aggressive than that of Ginger Baker, his drumming helps to amalgamate the song's diverse sections. McLaughlin's unmistakably sinuous leads are commanding throughout the "Sam Enchanted Dick" medley, amongst a encompass of Milt Jackson's "Sam's Sack" as well as a Heckstall-Smith original titled "Rills Thrills." The tempo is slowed on the smoky encompass of Mel Tormé's "Born to Be Blue." This interpretation is business office West Coast cool as well as business office Chicago-style blues. McLaughlin's contributions to "HCKHH Blues" is similar to that of Robert Fripp's jazzy fretwork throughout the Islands (1971) era King Crimson. While it was the commencement of Bruce's solo records to hold upward recorded, he chose to final result the to a greater extent than rock-oriented Songs for a Tailor (1969) prior to Things We Like, which was maybe considered an indulgent side projection rather than a permanent musical diversion. [The 2003 CD reissue contains the previously unissued rail "Ageing, Jack Bruce, Three, from Scotland, England," which is around other vivid Heckstall-Smith slice amongst all 4 musicians inwards top cast -- peculiarly McLaughlin, who provokes a multifariousness of sonic imagery, ranging from intense fingerpicking to chiming notes as well as chord augmentations.] All Music.
I was blown away past times this album when it came out, as well as am thrilled past times its release at concluding on CD. It easily rivals anything past times the jazz stars of as well as then or now. (For example, I got the acclaimed album past times jazz super grouping ScoLoHoFo at the same time, as well as it simply isn't every bit intersting/engaging, despite the star names attached--Scofield, Lovano, etc.). Things We Like features creative, skilled playing past times all, as well as wonderfully novel compositions past times Bruce--not the commons post-bop noodlings. By Craig Weatherby
This is a immediately ahead jazz ablum amongst Jack on acoustic double bass as well as no singing (but around voaclizing,though). It's a vivid jazz album as well as tin stand upward shoulder to shoulder amongst whatever of the greats. It's every bit good bad he did non pursue at to the lowest degree 1 to a greater extent than album amongst this fabulous line-up. It's actually amazing when you lot regard that he was yet a fellow member fo Cream when this was recorded as well as that John McLaughlin, who had played amongst Jack briefly inwards the Graham Bond Organization, had niggling yell recognition at this betoken inwards his career. All that creative liberate energy actually shines - every bit does long fourth dimension buddy Dick H-S as well as Colleseum drummer (and Songs for a Tailor drummer) Jon Hiseman. Jack, himself, sounds every bit if he never gave upward the double bass. His bowing is also quite soulful. I originally bought this album when I was a Jack Bruce fan - non a jazz enthusiast. I've since larn 1 as well as it makes me appreciate this release all the more. By Studebacher Hoch.
I bring to acknowledge i was VERY surprised when i heard nigh this (AND when i heard this for the commencement time!). I did non know such a jewel existed until this twelvemonth (2008). And i am an existent fan of old materials past times McLaughlin. How this escaped my attending is beyond me. This is an first-class british jazz 1968 type album that has aged superbly cheers to it's guitar, dr, sax as well as bass creative, high voltage, energy... ever inwards the complimentary / hold upward bop mode of jazz. Bruce is outstanding every bit are the others, Hiseman & Dick Heckstall-Smith...and McLaughlin plays bully on vi of the 8 titles. Recommended if you lot liked 'Extrapolation' as well as the commencement 2 albums past times Tony Williams Lifetime. By Speedy VINE VOICE
Track listing
All compositions past times Jack Bruce, unless otherwise noted.
1. "Over the Cliff" – 2:56
2. "Statues" – 7:35
3. "Sam Enchanted Dick" – 7:28
a. "Sam Sack" (Milt Jackson)
b. "Rill's Thrills" (Dick Heckstall-Smith)
4. "Born to hold upward Blue" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 4:26
5. "HCKHH Blues" – 8:59
6. "Ballad for Arthur" – 7:42
7. "Things We Like" – 3:38
Bonus rail on Polydor's 2003 CD reissue
8. "Ageing Jack Bruce, Three, From Scotland, England" (Heckstall-Smith) – 5:20
Personnel
Jack Bruce – double bass, session leader
Dick Heckstall-Smith – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Jon Hiseman – drums
John McLaughlin – guitar
As a testament to Bruce's expansive musical tastes, capabilities, as well as horizons, this disc sounds to a greater extent than similar a collection of Rahsaan Roland Kirk sides than anything fifty-fifty remotely connected amongst Cream. This is peculiarly truthful of the frenetic pacing of the brief opener, "Over the Cliff." Heckstall-Smith's powerfulness to perform alto as well as soprano saxophone simultaneously likewise lends itself to Kirk's distinct reed polyphony. "Statues" is an interesting exercise, in 1 lawsuit again amongst Heckstall-Smith providing around first-class extemporaneous blows during the darkly toned introduction working good against the nimble melody. While Hiseman's mode is decidedly less aggressive than that of Ginger Baker, his drumming helps to amalgamate the song's diverse sections. McLaughlin's unmistakably sinuous leads are commanding throughout the "Sam Enchanted Dick" medley, amongst a encompass of Milt Jackson's "Sam's Sack" as well as a Heckstall-Smith original titled "Rills Thrills." The tempo is slowed on the smoky encompass of Mel Tormé's "Born to Be Blue." This interpretation is business office West Coast cool as well as business office Chicago-style blues. McLaughlin's contributions to "HCKHH Blues" is similar to that of Robert Fripp's jazzy fretwork throughout the Islands (1971) era King Crimson. While it was the commencement of Bruce's solo records to hold upward recorded, he chose to final result the to a greater extent than rock-oriented Songs for a Tailor (1969) prior to Things We Like, which was maybe considered an indulgent side projection rather than a permanent musical diversion. [The 2003 CD reissue contains the previously unissued rail "Ageing, Jack Bruce, Three, from Scotland, England," which is around other vivid Heckstall-Smith slice amongst all 4 musicians inwards top cast -- peculiarly McLaughlin, who provokes a multifariousness of sonic imagery, ranging from intense fingerpicking to chiming notes as well as chord augmentations.] All Music.
I was blown away past times this album when it came out, as well as am thrilled past times its release at concluding on CD. It easily rivals anything past times the jazz stars of as well as then or now. (For example, I got the acclaimed album past times jazz super grouping ScoLoHoFo at the same time, as well as it simply isn't every bit intersting/engaging, despite the star names attached--Scofield, Lovano, etc.). Things We Like features creative, skilled playing past times all, as well as wonderfully novel compositions past times Bruce--not the commons post-bop noodlings. By Craig Weatherby
This is a immediately ahead jazz ablum amongst Jack on acoustic double bass as well as no singing (but around voaclizing,though). It's a vivid jazz album as well as tin stand upward shoulder to shoulder amongst whatever of the greats. It's every bit good bad he did non pursue at to the lowest degree 1 to a greater extent than album amongst this fabulous line-up. It's actually amazing when you lot regard that he was yet a fellow member fo Cream when this was recorded as well as that John McLaughlin, who had played amongst Jack briefly inwards the Graham Bond Organization, had niggling yell recognition at this betoken inwards his career. All that creative liberate energy actually shines - every bit does long fourth dimension buddy Dick H-S as well as Colleseum drummer (and Songs for a Tailor drummer) Jon Hiseman. Jack, himself, sounds every bit if he never gave upward the double bass. His bowing is also quite soulful. I originally bought this album when I was a Jack Bruce fan - non a jazz enthusiast. I've since larn 1 as well as it makes me appreciate this release all the more. By Studebacher Hoch.
I bring to acknowledge i was VERY surprised when i heard nigh this (AND when i heard this for the commencement time!). I did non know such a jewel existed until this twelvemonth (2008). And i am an existent fan of old materials past times McLaughlin. How this escaped my attending is beyond me. This is an first-class british jazz 1968 type album that has aged superbly cheers to it's guitar, dr, sax as well as bass creative, high voltage, energy... ever inwards the complimentary / hold upward bop mode of jazz. Bruce is outstanding every bit are the others, Hiseman & Dick Heckstall-Smith...and McLaughlin plays bully on vi of the 8 titles. Recommended if you lot liked 'Extrapolation' as well as the commencement 2 albums past times Tony Williams Lifetime. By Speedy VINE VOICE
Track listing
All compositions past times Jack Bruce, unless otherwise noted.
1. "Over the Cliff" – 2:56
2. "Statues" – 7:35
3. "Sam Enchanted Dick" – 7:28
a. "Sam Sack" (Milt Jackson)
b. "Rill's Thrills" (Dick Heckstall-Smith)
4. "Born to hold upward Blue" (Mel Tormé, Robert Wells) – 4:26
5. "HCKHH Blues" – 8:59
6. "Ballad for Arthur" – 7:42
7. "Things We Like" – 3:38
Bonus rail on Polydor's 2003 CD reissue
8. "Ageing Jack Bruce, Three, From Scotland, England" (Heckstall-Smith) – 5:20
Personnel
Jack Bruce – double bass, session leader
Dick Heckstall-Smith – soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
Jon Hiseman – drums
John McLaughlin – guitar
EmoticonEmoticon