Jazz Sabbath: Jazz Sabbath

Jazz Sabbath: When Black Sabbath Goes Jazz - A Vinyl Review

Jazz Sabbath represents one of the most clever and musically satisfying genre crossovers in recent memory. Created by Adam Wakeman (keyboard and guitar player for Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne), this fictional English jazz trio from the late sixties delivers sophisticated jazz interpretations of classic Black Sabbath material with remarkable skill and authenticity.

The Delightful Backstory
The album comes with a tongue-in-cheek backstory printed on the cover, claiming that Jazz Sabbath were the original writers of these songs, with Black Sabbath accused of plagiarism. This playful narrative adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the listening experience.

The project's genesis is equally entertaining. According to Wakeman, the concept emerged during a tour stop in Berlin when a Sabbath security guard asked if he could play the band's set on a hotel bar piano. Wakeman took up the challenge, improvising jazz versions of the heavy metal classics until staff eventually asked them to leave. What began as a late-night experiment evolved into one of the decade's most intriguing jazz records.

Remarkable Commercial Success
Under pseudonyms (Milton Keanes/Adam Wakeman on piano, Jacque T'fono/Jerry Meehan on upright bass, and Juan Také/Ash Soan on drums), the trio created an album that defied expectations by achieving remarkable commercial success for a jazz release. The album debuted at impressive positions on multiple charts: #4 in the UK, #3 in the US, and #1 in Canada on the iTunes Jazz Album Charts. It also reached #14 on the Official Jazz & Blues Albums Chart Top 30 and #25 on the Billboard Jazz Albums Chart.

These numbers don't just reflect novelty appeal—they're a testament to the project's genuine musical quality. This isn't merely Black Sabbath songs with a superficial jazz veneer; it's skilled musicians thoughtfully reimagining these compositions from the ground up.

Vinyl Quality Assessment
For a release from a smaller label, the vinyl quality is surprisingly excellent. Pressed on 140/150 gram vinyl, the record delivers impressive dynamics and sonic range that rival many audiophile pressings.
The instrument separation is particularly noteworthy, with Wakeman's piano fills filling the listening space with natural resonance, the upright bass providing rich, room-filling low end, and the drums offering crisp, snappy percussion. The pressing features minimal surface noise and exceptional silence between tracks, allowing the music to emerge from a black background.

The Vinyl Verdict
Whether you're a jazz aficionado, a Black Sabbath fan curious about new interpretations of familiar material, or simply an appreciator of creative musicianship, Jazz Sabbath offers a thoroughly rewarding listening experience. The vinyl pressing delivers balanced, clear, and detailed sound that does justice to these sophisticated arrangements.

While some buyers have reported receiving warped copies (a risk with any vinyl purchase), the overall pressing quality represents exceptional value—delivering near-audiophile quality at a standard retail price. For a project that began as a hotel bar lark, Jazz Sabbath has evolved into something truly special—both musically intriguing and sonically impressive. 💰

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