Bruton Music Library – BRD 7 Soft Illusions (1978)

Tracklisting:
1. Francoise
2. Glistening
3. Heatwave
4. Electric Rainbow
5. Daydream
6. Dreamland
7. Soft Illusion
8. Seabird
9. Fifth Avenue
10. By The Pool
11. Lingerie
12. Silken Hair
13. Love And A Guitar
14. Country Fresh
15. Sunshades
16. Sugar
17. Aperatif
Composers: Brian Wade [1, 10], Alan Hawkshaw [2, 3, 9], Brian Bennett [4, 5], Tony Hymas [6, 7], Les Hurdle/Frank Ricotti [8], Francis Monkman [11], Andrew Jackman [12, 13], Irving Martin/Brian Dee [14], Len Beadle [15], Tony Hiller/Len Beadle [16], Tony Hiller [17]

Source: Vinyl LP
Format: V0 VBR MP3
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Immediately following BRD 6 Leisure in the Bruton Music catalog is BRD 7 Soft Illusions, an equally if not more enjoyable set. Brian Wade’s smooth “Francoise” recalls Bob James’s recordings of the time, with a well-timed flute/brass combination over a funky backdrop. From there, selections by Alan Hawkshaw and Brian Bennett ease the listener into a much more mellow mood. Though, the three-selection stretch by Tony Hymas and the combination of Les Hurdle and Frank Ricotti, starting with the very Chick Corea-like “Dreamland” is the true heart of this collection. Hurdle and Ricotti’s “Seabird” is a very delightful “Cid” (fretless) bass and acoustic piano combination that would not feel too far out of place alongside the ECM Records hall of fame artists. On Side B, Alan Hawkshaw’s horn arrangements on “Fifth Avenue” again set the tone for the rest of the offerings, one of which (Andrew Jackman’s “Silken Hair”) was later repeated on BRH 8 Rhythm Stick. This was a blind purchase, not unlike BRD 6 Leisure, and was not regretted.

FLAC version here: http://lix.in/-d7d423