On 18th July 2025 Decca Records officially reissue two albums by British jazz composer, pianist, and band leader Mike Taylor, on vinyl for the very first time since their original release: 'Pendulum' (1966) and 'Trio' (1967). Part of Decca's British Jazz Explosion series, these significant recordings have long been sought after on vinyl by collectors and connoisseurs, with original copies of both titles now selling for upwards of £1,000.
These new editions have been remastered at Gearbox Studios, London, using the original tapes (or high-resolution digital source files, taken from the original tapes), which were transferred to a Studer reel-to-reel tape machine, then mastered using an all-valve analogue mastering desk. The 180gm LPs are housed in 350gsm brown craft board sleeves. They are accompanied by extensive new liner notes (a 12x12 four-page insert) from British jazz expert Tony Higgins, with detailed insight into the extraordinary life of Taylor, who, with every passing year, becomes more of a fascinating character in the development of British jazz and whose story reads like that of a grand opera, embracing exceptional music, high drama, mental illness, drugs and an untimely early death.
Much like folk songwriter Nick Drake, Taylor’s demise went largely unremarked in the music press at the time. In the years following his death, Taylor’s name slipped from memory of all but his closest friends. It was not until his three penned tracks for Cream’s 1968 album, Wheels Of Fire, that the wider public started to take note of his genius.
The importance of Taylor’s two LPs cannot be understated. They are a source of inspiration for the new British Jazz Explosion spearheaded by the likes of Ezra Collective, Nubya Garcia, Sons of Kemet. With these long-awaited reissues, his music can be heard and appreciated by many more people than it ever was in his own tragic lifetime. Perhaps something of a bittersweet vindication for the best jazz pianist you’ve never heard of…
Mike Taylor on piano, Jack Bruce and Ron Rubin on bass, and John Hiseman drums.
Originally recorded at Lansdowne Studios in 1968, under the supervision of Denis Preston.
