I had some great news earlier this year that “Seven Windows” (an 80’s project featuring songs by much loved UK singer/songwriter Jess Roden), which I thought was long lost for 40 years has been restored and remastered by the guys who made it in the first place. Seven Windows are Jess Roden with the US production duo Michael MacDonald (no not that one) & Stephen Dwire.

It is released via New York label Sunnyside Records – The album is streaming (including in glorious 24bit on Qobuz) and there is a Bandcamp page for it – but I dont think its reached RP yet .... I'm wondering how to submit it for consideration ?   If anyone can help, it would be much appreciated.

Anyway – a bit of info – it wasnt until the mid 90’s that I became aware of “Seven Windows” and it was another 10 years before i finally got my hands on an LP. The original was released solely in The Netherlands via a small independent label, it was a one-off collaboration with Jess Roden, who I followed through the 70’s and 80’s in his wild and varied projects, including Bronco, Alan Bown, Keef Hartley, The Butts Band, Stomu Yamashtas “Go Too” and his own great solo and band albums. I always loved that he had a jazz edge to his music even at its most rock & blues extremes. His ballad singing was something else and he made a couple of great solo albums in New York with the legendary producer Joel Dorn.

“Seven Windows” was quite different to the albums of his I’d heard before, more jazz influenced, layers of keyboards and some wonderful late night sax. I was never too sure who actually played on the album at the time, the sleeve notes were almost non-existant – as if they were intent to keep it a mystery – I but now find it included some of 80’s New York’s finest session guys.

…. Elliot Randall and Hiram Bullock on guitars; Mark Egan and Marc Johnson on Bass; Jack Waldham on keys; Jerry Marotta on drums; Michael Leohart on trumpet; Rob Mounsey on Electronic Wind synth; Bernard Fowler on backing vocals … the list goes on & on !!

Its very special to have Jess back and the restoration and remastering of these recordings by Michael MacDonald from his original analogue tapes is a work of art in itself.

There is a great 4* review in this months MOJO … are there any other Jess fans out there who have picked up on this yet ?

J