Although the short-lived trio
Weekend's roots are strictly in twee indie pop -- singer Alison Statton, of course, had been the vocalist on the massively influential
Young Marble Giants album
Colossal Youth -- they fancied themselves a jazz trio. This brief album (just under half-an-hour) was recorded in front of a small but appreciative crowd at the legendary London jazz club Ronnie Scott's, and for even more jazz authenticity, pianist
Keith Tippett, a legendary figure on the U.K. jazz scene, sits in with Statton (bass and vocals), Spike (guitar and viola),
Simon Booth (guitar), guest drummer
Roy Dodds, and saxophonist
Larry Stabbins. The set starts off with lengthy meditations on two jazz standards most often associated with Statton's obvious hero
Stan Getz, "Where Flamingos Fly" and "Winter Moon," before gliding through two lovely tracks from
Weekend's sole album, 1982's
La Varieté, and an extended jam on the tropical-flavored single "A Life in the Day Of (Pts. 1 and 2)." The music is surprisingly authentic jazz-pop, much more viable than most similar experiments from the rock side of the jazz-rock equation, and the more relaxed vibe, allowing solos from nearly every member of the group on the five drawn-out but not overextended songs.
Astrud Gilberto fans in particular shouldn't miss it. ~ Stewart Mason