Rock Workshop - The Very Last Time (Reissue) (1971/2004)

Formed in 1970, this fluid but short-lived jazz rock group formed by Ray Russell (guitar) and featured several of the UK’s leading young jazz musicians, and originally included Harry Beckett (trumpet/flugelhorn), Bob Downes (saxophone), Bud Parkes (trumpet) and Tony Roberts (trumpet/woodwind), Derek Wadsworth (trombone) Alan Greed (vocals) and Brian Miller (keyboards), Daryl Runswick (bass), Alan Rushton and Robin Jones (drums). Several were involved in other, simultaneous projects, notably solo albums by Downes and Russell and session appearances for albums at that time by Jack Bruce, Keef Hartley and Harvey. Wadsworth and Parkes appeared on the latter’s solo album, Roman Wall Blues, and Harvey reciprocated by singing on most of Rock Workshop. Their second album For The Very Last Time featured percussionists Phil Wainman and Tony Uter in place of Jones, while Ginger Harper was added on vocals. The individual members then went their separate ways. Rock Workshop in particular remains an underrated gem, featuring Russell’s frantic ‘Spoin Kop’ and the evocative and brassy ‘Primrose Hill’. Although both vinyl albums have long since been deleted, they represent a bold attempt at fusing what would be termed rock jazz as opposed to jazz rock. The debut was finally reissued in 2003 by Angel Air. This welcome release has bonus tracks and the running order changed yet the original version of ‘Primrose Hill’ is sadly replaced by an inferior alternate take.