Red - Red

 Recorded in approx 1982 - 82 and finally released in 1983. The album took a long time to get released on Jigsaw records, by which time the band had effectively split and we were all doing other things.

We were all influened by the jazz rock movement at the time, hence the crazy tempos and the sound of musicians finding their feet and developing a style.

The line up on the album (on vinyl) was:

Dennis Fitzgibbons - guitar and songs, Jerry Soffe - bass, Mark Ambler - keyboards, David Holmes - percussion and Frank Hockney on drums.

We reformed in 83ish with Phil Bastow on keyboards but the band didn't do much more after a second album was delayed and delayed.  The track on the juke box is called Tonights the Note.

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Shiny Men - Again

Recorded after Red but released before, the vinyl album came out in 1982.

Led by guitarist and writer Chris Lavelle, who sadly passed away recently, the band played very 'English' style music. Reviewers likened us to Soft Machine, Caravan etc.

I learnt a lot musically from Chris who opened my ears to bands like The Residents and early Frank Zappa. I still listen to this album now and enjoy the compositions.

The band members were:

Chris Lavelle, guitar and vocals, Chris O'Niell - keyboards, Jerry Soffe - bass, Frank Hockney - drums. Guest appearances by various people including Robert Wyatt and sax player John O'Niell.

The track on the jukebox is called Cheap Emotion.

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Fractals - Fractals

Released on Surface Records in 1986. The band was led by guitarist/writer Paul Reynolds. Paul was heavily into guitar based jazz along the likes of John Schofield and Mike Stern. The band played around Oxford area but as usual, if you want to play your own material almost exclusively, work is difficult to find. The track on the jukebox is called No Second Chance.

Band line up was: Paul Reynolds, guitars, Phil bastow - keyboards, Jerry Soffe - bass, Frank Hockney - drums

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Martin Pickett Group - MP

Jump forward to 2002. After a period away from the drums and learning jazz guitar, I recorded this CD with Martin's band. These are mostly Martin's original compositions plus a couple of unusual covers. I think there are some strong compositions here and would like to revisit them someday.

Band line up was: Martin Pickett - piano, Luis D' Agostino - guitar, Raph Mizraki - bass, Jamie O'Donnell - Alto and Frank Hockney - drums.

This CD was privately made.

The track included on the Jukebox page is New waltz

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The Martin Pickett Group - I'll Be With You Again

Released on SLAM records in 2004, the line up had changed to:

Martin Pickett - piano, Phil Berry - bass, Mike Wills and Tony Isaacs - saxes, flutes and Frank Hockney drums. Special guest singer was Alison Bentley.

An album of Martin originals with some fine Shakespeare inspired songs, sung wonderfully by Alison.

I particularly like the songs, sung by Alison, on this CD. I tried to approach them in a Jeff Porcaro, Steely Dan plays jazz way, rather than swing. Phil Berry is pretty funky for a jazzer so it worked well.

The track included here is Come Now Monarch of the Vine.

For more Martin Pickett info please go to http://www.myspace.com/martinpickettgroup

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Doug Hodge - Cowley Road Songs

Released by Rightback Records in 2005

Doug Hodge (actor/singer songwriter/scuba diver!) had been writing songs for many years and through a bass playing friend Pete Simpson, asked if I would play on his tunes. I was given a pretty free hand to interpret Doug's songs which were written more with acoustic guitar in mind. We seemed to naturally find dynamics in the music as you can hear on the jukebox song.

Line up: Doug Hodge - guitars and vocals, Pete Simpson - bass and Frank Hockney - drums.

There were various guest players. The jukebox track  is Wish I'd Found You First

Some backing tracks are complete for Doug's follow up album.

For more Doug stuff contact http://www.doughodge.com/

 

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 Tim Wilson Quartet - Soon it Will Be Today

ased independantly April 2008.

A selection of originals and standards from sax and flute player Tim. The band line up was:

Tim Wilson - saxes and flute, Martin Pickett - piano, Les Booth - bass and Frank Hockney - drums.

This band had had a short residency near Oxford. We seemed to gel together well and the idea for the CD soon followed. We tried for interesting rhythmical variations on the standards (Les Booth's great 6 string electric bass playing set the feel of Footprints) and included originals from Tim and Martin.

The jukebox track is a Tim original called E.L.M.

For more Tim Wilson info please contact

 

http://www.timwilsonmusic.co.uk/music.html

 

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 Alvin Roy's Reeds Unlimited

 Some standards and originals from Alvin's regular line up of:

Alvin Roy - Clarinet, Mike Wills - saxes and clarinet, Martin Pickett - piano, Steve Smith - bass and Frank Hockney - drum kit.

The CD was recorded and released independantly at the end of 2010.

The track on the juke bow is an Alvin original called Blues For Fag Ash Lil.

The CD is available at my on line shop priced £10.

Contact Alvin at http://www.alvinroyjazz.co.uk/

 

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MOSES AND THE TABLETS - On a Pedestal

 

Recorded in 2010 at Simon Tuke's studio in Oxford, this is the debut album for the Organ Trio. Featuring martin Pickett on organ, Kevin Armstrong on guitar, Frank Hockney on drums and a special guest appearance by Alison Bentley on 2 vocal numbers. All the tunes are Martin originals. Funky groove based music.

The CD can be purchased via my online shop.