BASIL KIRCHIN Vinyl & CDs

Review: .You have to admire Basil Kirchin's attitude. At the age of 13, he joined his father's Big Band orchestra,, debuting at Tottenham Court Road's Paramount venue, and would spend up to eight hours a day practicing music during the London Blitz. Soon after the war ended, he went off to tour with a number of famous names, including Teddy Foster and Ted Heath, before he rejoined his old man's outfit for another stint. The arrival of rock & roll in the late-1950s catalysed a decision to leave that group again, telling his parent "you're a prisoner of rhythm, and I was fed up playing other people's music." At this point, Kirchin headed for India, spending five months in the Ramakrishna Temple trying to figure out what life was about, and if his world view had any substance beyond "the ramblings of a pot-head." This was before other artists were doing that kind of thing. A true visionary who would go on to play a pivotal role in the British jazz, avant garde, free jazz and experimental scenes, now you know all that is there anyway you're not buying this?

Review: KPM Music might just be one of the most expansive music libraries out there, boasting a whopping 30,000 exclusive music tracks for licensing. Some of their earliest pieces are being reissued by Measured Mile, the latest of which appears here in the form of a split 7" by four of the label's most treasured contributors. 'Viva La Tamla Motown' helms up the A-side with wonky, laboured drumming and an excitable rock n' rolly guitar and harmonica. 'Main Chance' brings up the B with a more loungeified flutey strutter.