When legendary jazz DJ Paul Murphy releases an album of "covers" it's going to get all the big head DJs interested and you don't get much bigger than Louie Vega, Kenny Dope, Colin Curtis, Robbie Vincent, Craig Charles and Dr Bob Jones who are all on this one already!
In fact, it was 'Chilled Cider' festivals' very own DJ Colin Parnell who featured this album on his monthly Stomp Radio show last night, playing 3 choice tracks - see link below. Quasimode's 'Hi Tech Jazz' (a cover of a historical Detroit techno masterpiece), Freddie Hubbard's classic 'Gibraltar' as done by Pamela Wise (Murphy digging deep on that one) and Barry Adamson's 'Miles' (as in 'Davis', that was orginally on the album 'Oedipus Schmoedipus' that came out nearly 30 years ago).
When compilations have cover versions of tracks that are as old as some to the jazzdancers at Dingwalls Revivals, JazzCotech's long running Shiftless Shuffle and the Come Sunday session in Birmingham who have featured half of BBE's J-Jazz collective, Mike Peden as a DJ in the past (next one 6th July with DJ Amazon - see HERE for the J-Jazz lowdown).
Of course, Mike's favourite is Version City Session's 'Riot In Lagos' (originally by Ryuchi Sakamoto) but it could have easily have been Christian Prommers' Drum Lesson's version of Kraftwerk's classic (Ed. that's your lasts 'classic'). 'Trans Europa Express' (the orginal being featured weekly on on talkSport's Sunday night show as hosted by NME legend, Danny Kelly).
I remember seeing Drumlesson at the Big Chill many moons ago (Pete Lawrence's "baby" who also founded 'Chilled Cider' - see how all this ties in?) and you never know, renewed interest mean a reformation of the band as there was no follow up to 'Drum Lesson Vol. 1' which had a load of interesting cover versions on it.
With the depth of Murphy's knowledge, you can imagine this compilation will cover (no pun etc), "Psychedelic Jazz Fusion of Helsinki Collective “Saimaa” with their epic LIVE version of the Deodato's 'Super Strut' to some finger snapping Cool New York Vibes on Giacomo Gates Hip To The Trip version of Gil Scott-Heron’s 'Is That Jazz'" plus there's an exclusive appearance of Chip Wickham (he of another compilation of Paul's. 'The Jazz Room Vol. 2', see review HERE).
Those with sharp eyes will spot 3iO, as in Robert Mitchell's 3iO who had a 'hit' with their version of 'Teardrops' and here they are represented by the rave favourite, 'Born Slippy'.
I don't think Mr Parnell will be able to say, "I prefer the Sergio Mendez" version to any of these tracks and DJ's like Jo Wallace will be able to fill her boots when she re-starts her "Covers" show; and it's great that some of these tracks that come out during a CD dominant period will be all together on one vinyl release - get your pre-orders in now.
And how did I get through that lot without mentioning Gilles Peterson?
P.S. Jazz Room has previous with "covers" as if you don't know The Take Vibe EP, well worth checking the version of 'Golden Brown'.
PPS. And for fans of 'Golden Brown', Bruce Bickerton's Alucidnation accapela has version on 7" along with 'The Model' (Kraftwerk) - check it out HERE, and he was also at Chilled Cider this year.
BUY LINK: Jazz Room Records Presents: "Covers" Bandcamp
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Jazz Room Records Presents: "Covers"
Release date: 25th July, 2025
Label: Jazz Room
Catalog: TBC
Format: 2 X LP Gatefold ; Digital / Bandcamp
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