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NIGEL MAZLYN JONES

Prog Folk • United Kingdom


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Nigel Mazlyn Jones picture
Nigel Mazlyn Jones biography
NIGEL MAZLYN JONES is an English singer-songwriter. His career has spanned nearly forty years and whose albums are marked by carefully crafted, folk-inspired compositions often featuring iconic progressive rock and folk musicians ranging from Roy Harper to Guy Evans of Van der Graaf Generator.

He released his ninth studio album 'Planet for $ale' in 2007. Jones is also active in community issues, particularly those involving ecological issues.

>> Bio by Bob Moore (aka ClemofNazareth) <<

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NIGEL MAZLYN JONES discography


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NIGEL MAZLYN JONES top albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

4.43 | 11 ratings
Ship to Shore
1976
3.96 | 4 ratings
Sentinel & the Fools of the Finest Degree
1979
4.00 | 1 ratings
Breaking Cover
1982
0.00 | 0 ratings
Water from the Well
1986
0.00 | 0 ratings
Mazlyn Jones
1991
0.00 | 0 ratings
Angels Over Water
1993
0.00 | 0 ratings
Behind the Stone
1999
0.00 | 0 ratings
Planet for $ale
2007
4.39 | 12 ratings
Raft
2014

NIGEL MAZLYN JONES Live Albums (CD, LP, MC, SACD, DVD-A, Digital Media Download)

0.00 | 0 ratings
Mazlyn Jones and Guy Evans with Nik Turner and Friends
1997

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NIGEL MAZLYN JONES Official Singles, EPs, Fan Club & Promo (CD, EP/LP, MC, Digital Media Download)

NIGEL MAZLYN JONES Reviews


Showing last 10 reviews only
 Raft by JONES, NIGEL MAZLYN album cover Studio Album, 2014
4.39 | 12 ratings

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Raft
Nigel Mazlyn Jones Prog Folk

Review by kev rowland
Special Collaborator Honorary Reviewer

5 stars This has been way too long coming, in fact this is the first acoustic based album from Nigel Mazlyn Jones in thirteen years, I just hope that we don't have to wait so long for the next one! This contains his trademark use of 12 string guitars and Glissando bowed techniques, and he has here been joined by some guests including Guy Evans (who has worked with NMJ for more than 30 years now) of Van Der Graaf Generator on drums and percussion, Rog Patterson on Chapman Stick, fretless bass and acoustic (and it's about time he released some new solo material as well!), Jo Lucy on violin, Oscar Morse on sax, Jim Nield on electric guitar, Rob Phillips on fretless bass, Margaret MJ on piano and Dave Reeves on harmonicas.

The only word to describe this album is "beautiful", as the listener is entranced by the sounds coming out of the speakers. There are long instrumental passages where one is taken to a new world by Nigels's deft 12-string technique, and others where they are more songs-based and the guests come in and out of the music as they play their part and then leave again. Only a few of the songs have four people involved, while three are just Nigel. For those who have never come across NMJ before, his style is a cross of Anthony Phillips and Roy Harper, with just a touch of Gong and Steve Hillage here and there. The result is a world of incredibly well-arranged music where space is a permanent fixture and one is allowed to breathe in the notes and live in NMJ's world. Inspired as ever by his love of the Cornish coast, this album is essential for anyone who enjoys great music. The last words belong to Nigel, "We sail the tiny raft of our lives and this small planet Earth is the raft that carries us all. Rafts are fragile, not permanent, and held together with hopes and dreams. So I set my sails well . . . What say you my friend, let's strike out for the ocean?" Released as a digi pak with an insert, this is truly essential. www.nigelmazlynjones.com

 Ship to Shore by JONES, NIGEL MAZLYN album cover Studio Album, 1976
4.43 | 11 ratings

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Ship to Shore
Nigel Mazlyn Jones Prog Folk

Review by kenethlevine
Special Collaborator Prog-Folk Team

4 stars If one was "there" when prog was in the mainstream, it can be hard to separate the emotional impact of an old favourite from any sense of objectivity. Conversely, it can be equally difficult to appreciate a 40 year old work that is first brought to one's attention, since it can masquerade as a cheap copy of more familiar classics of the time. However, once in a great while one is treated to a lost gem that unassumingly offers links in the musical chain that gradually approaches, but never quite attains completeness. Such is the case for the obscure debut by the equally obscure NIGEL MAZLYN JONES.

"Ship to Shore" is an engaging progressive folk album from 1976 that boasts two unique attributes - the man's inimitable emotive vocals, and his even more striking acoustic guitar style, at once strummed and picked. Other than on the weak opening cut "A Singularly Fine Day", he avoids lording his ample technique over his essential musical and lyrical messages.

Three tracks remain in focus for me long after the proverbial needle returns to its tonearm. "The Man and His Deer" is a gorgeous song with only Jones' guitar and accompanying mandolin. It lands somewhere between NICK DRAKE and AL STEWART, but more progressive than either, more like an intimate STRAWBS or DECAMERON track. Speaking of the latter, both JOHNNY COPPIN and DIK CADBURY play on several tracks, and well. "How High the Moon" is CAT STEVENS like, mesmerizing - think "Lady D'Arbanville" meets TRAFFIC's "John Barleycorn". But rather than appearing derivative, it actually insists upon consideration as an essential piece of 1970s prog folk. Finally, the title cut is pure epic and seems to presage some of DAN AR BRAZ's best strictly acoustic work.

Seek out the Kissing Spell reissue that includes a brace of bonus tracks that pre-date the album proper, the two longest of which, "All Brave Men" and "The Hunter and the Lady", are fully worthy of inclusion. It's time that "Ship to Shore" moor with the other venerable vessels of progressive folk from its defining decade.

 Sentinel & the Fools of the Finest Degree by JONES, NIGEL MAZLYN album cover Studio Album, 1979
3.96 | 4 ratings

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Sentinel & the Fools of the Finest Degree
Nigel Mazlyn Jones Prog Folk

Review by GruvanDahlman
Prog Reviewer

4 stars Whilst this album does not reach the heights of the magnificent "Ship to shore, it still has plenty to offer. I suppose it must be hard to equal something so utterly brilliant. Still, I do feel that this album could not have been any better, considering. As with the predecessor the album is a mix of high-spirited tunes as well as deeply serene, magical landscapes of sounds, few have been able to produce. His effect-laden guitar is still at the helm and produces sounds of surreal character.

The opener, "All in the name of love", is a very melodic piece quite typical, in many ways, to the sound of the late 70's and this genre. I like it alot and makes me smile everytime i hear it. The next track is my favorite on the album. "Sentinel" is a quite dark, mezmerising and evocative track, slowly flowing past. It is great and I love it. That track matches nearly anything on his flawless debut. I will not further elaborate on the remaining tracks, simply state that it is a lovely bunch of songs.

The strenghts of Mazlyn Jones is his unique ability to craft music within the genre. Taking bits and pieces of prog, folk and pop he creates something that needs, craves and must be heard. If you at all are interested in one of the true geniuses of british folk, look no further. It is way up there with any of the greats. Top notch stuff and a worthy inclusion into any collection.

 Ship to Shore by JONES, NIGEL MAZLYN album cover Studio Album, 1976
4.43 | 11 ratings

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Ship to Shore
Nigel Mazlyn Jones Prog Folk

Review by GruvanDahlman
Prog Reviewer

5 stars If there ever was something called progressive folk, this is it. I love Pentangle, Fairport Convention, John Martyn and the rest but this is truly unique, personal and something of a genius putting notes together and in the process creates a tapestry of sound, poetry and emotion. If you've missed this one I hope that this review will give you a reason to check it out.

I remember reading about this album in Record Collector (I think it was) many, many years ago. It was highly rated in a piece on british folk and I got intrigued, trying to acquire it for a long time. When I at last held it in my trembling hands I was not to be disappointed. What the album offers is very special and precious.

Nigel Mazlyn Jones plays the acoustic guitar and sings with great emotion. The fact that the guitar quite often is effect-laden in a John Martyn-ish way (only slitghtly more and in a personal way) gives the album a certain character which only helps to build the towers of emotion, brought forth by way of gentle, surreal and evocative sounds and even vision.

I would define the album as a symphony of progressive folk. Most of the tracks seem to cling together, creating this marvelous picture. Sometimes sinister and gloomy, sometimes jjoyful and light, always engaging and thrilling. "The man and the deer", for example, is quite a mezmerising piece of magic, while "Follow every sunset" is positive prog folk in the vein of Martyn, Sandy Denny and others. The title track is beyond description, being such a wonderful piece of vivid soundscapes and beauty. The music also brings forth the feeling of the lonely genius or mad man creating wonders to behold, locked away in the farthes tower in the deepst woods, somewhere in England. That, to me, is also the lure, because the music is so british, giving wings to my fantasy, producing ever more fantastical images. All brought to me by way of this extraordinary album.

"Ship to shore" is, simply put, a masterpiece in dire need of recognition. As it stands today it seems only a few heard of it and fewer still listened to the album. It is a shame. Hopefully my review can remedy some of that. My feelings towards this album are so passionate and as I write I feel frustrated by the lack of words to describe it's glory. I just wish for my ramblings to take hold and persuade you to give this genius and this album a spin. Please do.

Thanks to ClemofNazareth for the artist addition.

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