SOS (Surman, Osborne, Skidmore) - FM Broadcast 1975

This British saxophone trio was highly-acclaimed, but quite short-lived. It was formed by arguably the three greatest UK reedsmen of the time. They'd all played together for several years in different formats like Mike Gibbs band and John Surman's own big band.

The image above is the cover from their only commercial release, which was reissued on CD a couple of years ago by Ogun records and is still available direct from them.

The music is a curious blend of free improvisation, reels and jigs and post bebop. It makes use of Surman's pre-recorded synthesizer loops, which I'm not keen on, but which was probably quite revolutionary in jazz in those days. Certainly Surman went on to use these techniques in solo recordings on the ECM label. For me, though, the highlights of their music is the alto playing of Mike Osborne, who's career was tragically greatly shortened by mental illness, up to his death last year.

This recording is comprised of two radio broadcasts transmitted by the BBC in 1975.

Details
SOS BBC Sessions
Jazz in Britain
Broadcast 29-1-1975

John Surman bs, ss, bcl, synthesizer, e-piano
Mike Osborne as
Alan Skidmore ts, ss, ,dr

1. Announcer 1.17
2. Looking for the Next One 14.28
3. announcer 0.52
4. Rashied 9.00
5. announcer 0.50
6. News 3.04
7. announcer 0.28

Jazz Club
Broadcast 14.9.1975

as above, plus Tony Levin dr

8. Country Dance7.49
9. announcer 0.54
10. QE Hall 14.23
11. announcer 0.18
12. The Irish 4.49

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