Ricotti & Albuquerque - First Wind (2025 Remaster)

A cherished cult favorite from 1971, "First Wind" stands as a remarkable fusion of jazz, rock, and folk, now available in an artist-sanctioned reissue newly remastered by Prof. Stoned. This masterful collaboration pairs UK's premier vibraphonist Frank Ricotti with vocalist-songwriter Michael de Albuquerque (just before he joined ELO as their bassist), backed by an all-star lineup of British jazz luminaries including John Taylor on keyboards and Trevor Tomkins on drums. From the taut and laconic "Give A Damn" to their Cat Stevens-esque take on James Taylor's "Lo And Behold," the album seamlessly blends experimental jazz-rock with thoughtful interpretations of classic songs. Originally praised by Cream magazine for it's "elegant quartet" sound and hailed as "an absolute must" by Hi-Fi News & Record Review, this definitive reissue includes nine bonus tracks featuring their complete John Peel BBC session, plus a 20-page booklet with track-by-track commentary from de Albuquerque himself.