Bob Downes - Deep Down Heavy (MFP 1970) 24-bit/96kHz Vinyl Rip

Once one of England's top avant-garde jazz flautists, Bob Downes (born Robert George Downes) has maintained a low profile since relocating to Europe in the late 1980s. Although he released a series of impressive albums in the mid-'70s, he has recorded very little since. Able to play more than 25 instruments, Downes has focused primarily on flute, piano, and percussion. His albums featured a wide array of supportive players. His first three albums – Open Music, Deep Down Heavy and Electric City - featured the accompaniment of rock guitarist, Chris Spedding, while his subsequent efforts – Diversions in 1973, Episode at 4 A.M. in 1974, and Hells Angels in 1975 – were marked by the synthesizer playing of Laurie Baker. Downes composed several pieces for Ballet Rambert (now: Rambert Dance Company), the oldest dance company in England. Craig Harris AMG.

The Deep Down Heavy album is interesting, it being an amalgam of Bob Downes' music and Robert Cockburn's poetry. They collaborated on most tracks but also had their own moments; Cockburn, for example, reading extracts from his poetry. One memorable track, entitled Poplar Cheam, includes references to more than 40 underground stations with lyrics like:-

She’s highgate in her wanstead
And wapping in her bow
And shadwell in her hackney hayes
Makes aldwych greenwich go!

An underrated album for sure and something of a surprise on the Music For Pleasure label. Tapestry of Delights.

This album has never been released on CD.

Please note: there is some distortion at various points on this album.

Track listing:

A1. Too Late

A2. Day Dream

A3. Walking On

A4. The Wrong Bus

A5. Poplar Cheam

B1. Don't Let Tomorrow Get You Down

B2. Jasmine

B3. Got No Home

B4. We All Enter In

B5. Thebes Blues

B6. Hollow Moment

B7. Circus Rising

Artists:
Bob Downes (Vocals & Sax/Flute)
Robert Cockburn (Poetry Reading)
Chris Spedding (Guitar)
Ray Russell (Guitar)
Peter Billam (Guitar)
Harry Millar (Bass Guitar)
Laurie Allan (Drums)
Allan Rushton (Drums)
Derek Hogg (Drums)
London Transport (Underground)