Julie Tippetts – Sunset Glow (Esoteric Records, 2023 reissue)
Julie Tippetts is a singer, musician, and composer who was born in England in 1947. Tippetts began her musical journey as a soul, pop, and R&B singer before branching out into more experimental styles. She left keyboardist Brian Auger’s band and became the musical and lifetime companion of pianist and composer Keith Tippett, which marked a turning point in her career.
Tippetts is known for her multifaceted voice, which she developed into a unique instrument through her emphasis on improvisation, breath control, and singular phrasing.
“Sunset Glow,” was released in 1974 on the Polydor label and highlighted her experimentation and versatility as a musician. The album features Tippetts singing, playing piano, acoustic guitar, and percussion and is backed by an ensemble of talented musicians from the Canterbury music scene (Brian Godding, Mark Charig, Elton Dean, Nick Evans, and Louis Moholo among others).
Tippetts’ groundbreaking music is a fascinating mix of genres, including jazz, free improvisation, progressive rock, and blues, and she presents a style that is both innovative and timeless.