John Surman saxophonist, clarinetist, composer born 1944 in Tavistock, England Link to John Surman's own site.

JOHN SURMAN DISCOGRAPHY
compiled by Dan Kurdilla : updated June 24, 2008

Now in two parts due to size. Go to part 2 (1987-present)

Note: This discography is 'unofficial'; I have no contact information for any musician mentioned herein.

Where a title is given in blue, details have been taken directly from a copy of the recording. Details for recordings with red titles are less certain; I welcome additions and corrections. E-mail with any info you'd like to provide.

composed by Peter Lemer except as noted

recorded May 1966, London

Nisar Ahmad Khan, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Peter Lemer, piano; Tony Reeves, bass; John Hiseman, drums

composed by Mike Westbrook except as noted

recorded July 29 & August 5, 1967, London

Dave Holdsworth, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Dave Perrottet, valve trombone; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Tom Bennellick, french horn; George Smith, tuba; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Bernie Living, alto saxophone, flute; Dave Chambers, tenor saxophone, clarinet; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Mike Westbrook, piano; Harry Miller, bass; Alan Jackson, drums

Note: This is a compilation of tracks recorded 1961-1971, first issued 1972. See October 1969 below for one more track including Surman.

recorded 1967

Alexis Korner, guitar, voice; Chris Pyne, trombone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Dave Holland, bass

Note: First issued in 2005. The second CD in this set features a 1975 sextet concert without Surman.

all composed by Collier

recorded live March 1968, Southampton

Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, Henry Lowther, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Chris Smith, Mike Gibbs, John Mumford, trombone; Dave Aaron, alto, tenor and soprano saxophone, flute; Karl Jenkins, baritone and soprano saxophone, oboe, piano; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophone, bass clarinet, piano; Frank Ricotti, vibraphone, bongos; Graham Collier, bass; John Marshall, drums

composed by Mike Westbrook except as noted

recorded August 7 & 9, 1968, London

Dave Holdsworth, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, Paul Rutherford, trombone; Mike Osborne, Bernie Living, alto saxophone; Nisar Ahmad Khan, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Mike Westbrook, piano; Harry Miller, bass; Alan Jackson, drums

Note: Tracks 1 and 4 were also issued on a 7" single, Deram DM 224 (UK).

composed by Surman except as noted

recorded August 12 & 14, 1968, London

on tracks 1-4: Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Russell Henderson, piano; Harry Miller, bass; Stirling Betancourt, drums; Errol Phillip, congas
on tracks 5-7: Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, Paul Rutherford, trombone; Tom Bennellick, french horn; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Russell Henderson, piano; Dave Holland, bass; Alan Jackson, drums; Stirling Betancourt, timbales; Errol Phillip, congas

recorded September 4-5, 1968, Cologne

Gitte Haenning, voice; Benny Bailey, Derek Watkins, Idrees Sulieman, Dusko Goykovic, trumpet; Ake Persson, Nat Peck, Eric van Lier, trombone; Derek Humble, alto saxophone; Johnny Griffin, Tony Coe, Ronnie Scott, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophone; Francy Boland, piano; Jimmy Woode, bass; Kenny Clarke, Kenny Clare, drums

Note: Tracks 8-11 are on the Sony/BMG CD edition only.

recorded live October 25-26, 1968, Ronnie Scott's Club, London

Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Chris Pyne, trombone; Ray Warleigh, alto saxophone, flute; Ronnie Scott, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophone; Gordon Beck, piano, organ; Ron Mathewson, bass, electric bass; Tony Oxley, Kenny Clare, drums

recorded 1968 and 1969, London

on track 1: Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone
on track 2: Harry Beckett, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; John Taylor, electric piano; Harry Miller, bass guitar; Alan Jackson, drums
on track 3: John Surman, piano; John Taylor, electric piano; Harry Miller, bass guitar; Alan Jackson, drums
on tracks 4-6: Kenny Wheeler, fluegelhorn, trumpet; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Taylor, piano; Harry Miller, bass; Tony Oxley, drums

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.

recorded circa 1969

Keith Emerson, keyboards; Lee Jackson, bass, voice; Brian Davison, drums; with horn section of Kenny Wheeler, Joe Newman, Chris Pyne, Joe Harriott, Alan Skidmore, John Surman, Pepper Adams

Note: Brian Odgers is listed incorrectly as Brian Odges.

all composed by John McLaughlin

recorded January 18, 1969, London

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; John McLaughlin, guitar; Brian Odgers, bass; Tony Oxley, drums

Note: First issued 2008.

composed by McGregor except as noted

recorded 1969, Sound Techniques, London

Mongezi Feza, trumpet; Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone; Evan Parker, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Chris McGregor, piano; Barre Phillips, bass on 1, 3; Danny Thompson, bass on 2, 4; Louis Moholo, drums

Note: The Deram CD package lists the tracks as above, but the CD actually places the second LP side before the first, i.e. using the track numbers above, the CD tracks are ordered 4, 5, 1, 2, 3.

composed by Surman except as noted

recorded March 1969, London

on track 1: Harry Beckett, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; John Taylor, piano; Harry Miller, bass; Alan Jackson, drums
on track 2: John Surman, baritone saxophone; Alan Jackson, drums
on track 3: Dave Holdsworth, Harry Beckett, trumpet; Chris Pyne, Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; George Smith, tuba; John Surman, soprano saxophone; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, flute; John Warren, baritone saxophone, flute; John Taylor, piano; Barre Phillips, bass; Tony Oxley, drums
on tracks 4, 5: John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; John Taylor, piano; Barre Phillips, bass; Tony Oxley, drums

Note: The original UK edition was two LPs issued separately as Volume 1 and Volume 2. The USA edition and the CD reissue have both volumes in one package.

composed by Mike Westbrook except as noted

recorded March 31, April 1 & 10, 1969, London

Dave Holdsworth, Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Greg Bowen, Tony Fisher, Henry Lowther, Ronnie Hughes, trumpet; Malcolm Griffiths, Paul Rutherford, Mike Gibbs, Eddie Harvey, trombone; Tom Bennellick, french horn; Martin Fry, George Smith, tuba; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, clarinet; Bernie Living, alto saxophone, flute; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, flute; Nisar Ahmad Khan, Brian Smith, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; John Warren, baritone and alto saxophones, flute; Mike Westbrook, piano; Harry Miller, Barre Phillips, Chris Laurence, bass; Alan Jackson, John Marshall, drums

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.

recorded April 18, 1969, Hamburg

Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Erich Kleinschuster, Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, clarinet; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, flute; Ronnie Scott, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Fritz Pauer, piano, organ; Harry Miller, bass; Alan Jackson, drums

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.
This track is included on a various artists compilation: They All Play The Duke, Jazz Colours 874740-2 (Germany) [CD].

recorded July 31, 1969, London

Joe Temperley, John Surman, baritone saxophone; Eddie Harvey, piano; Dave Green, bass; Tony Levin, drums

Note: The Vocalion 2-CD set includes both this record and 'Michael Gibbs: Tanglewood 63' (for details of which see below).

all composed by Michael Gibbs

recorded September-December 1969, London

collective personnel: John Wilbraham, Derek Watkins, Ken Wheeler, Henry Lowther, Nigel Carter, Ian Hamer, Maurice Miller, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Cliff Hardie, Chris Pyne, Bobby Lambe, David Horler, Ray Premru, Ken Goldy, Maurice Gee, trombone; Alan Civil, Valerie Smith, Nicolas Busch, Jim Buck Jr., french horn; Dick Hart, Martin Fry, tuba; John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Ray Warleigh, Tony Roberts, Mike Osborne, Duncan Lamont, Barbara Thompson, reeds; Fred Alexander, Alan Ford, cello; Chris Spedding, Ray Russell, Phil Lee, guitars; Mick Pyne, Bob Cornford, keyboards; Jack Bruce, Brian Odgers, bass guitar; John Marshall, Tony Oxley, drums; Frank Ricotti, percussion; Michael Gibbs, arranger, conductor

Note: Some no-label 'test pressing' LP copies were made of this music, but it was never properly issued until this CD in 2005. Track 6 on the CD was taken from an LP source as the session tape for this track was missing.
The recurring theme of "Way Back When" is called "Glancing Backwards" on the 1970 record "Where Fortune Smiles". Also "Owlshead" is the same piece called "Perkins Landing" on Norma Winstone's 1972 record "Edge of Time".

composed by Surman except as noted

recorded October 7, 1969, Tangerine Studios, London

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; John Taylor, electric piano; Brian Odgers, electric bass; John Marshall, drums; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone on 5, 6

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.
Track 1 is also included on the compilation Alexis Korner: Bootleg Him! (See 1967 above for additional details.)
Both of these tracks are included on another compilation, Alexis Korner and... : The Collection (Castle CCSCD 150 [CD]).

recorded October 1969, Olympia Studios, London

Alexis Korner, Peter Thorup, voice, guitar; Paul Rodgers, Annette Brox, voice; Harry Beckett, Henry Lowther, trumpet; Malcolm Griffiths, Chris Pyne, trombone; Ray Warleigh, alto saxophone; Lol Coxhill, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone, piano; Andy Fraser, bass guitar; John Marshall, drums

recorded November 10-11, 1969, Berlin

Karin Krog, voice; Albert Mangelsdorff, trombone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Francy Boland, piano; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass; Daniel Humair, drums

recorded November 1969, Berlin

Eje Thelin, trombone; Rolf Kühn, clarinet; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Joachim Kühn, piano, alto saxophone; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, Jacques Thollot, drums

Note: See December 1970 for an additional track with Surman.

recorded November 28, 1969, Germany

Allan Botschinsky, Roger Guerin, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Slide Hampton, Nick Evans, Radu Malfatti, trombone; Leszek Zadlo, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone; Herb Geller, alto and tenor saxophones, clarinet, flute; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Pierre Cavalli, guitar; Steve Kuhn, piano; Palle Danielsson, bass; Stu Martin, drums

recorded December 12-14, 1969, Baden-Baden Free Jazz Meeting, Germany

on tracks 1 & 2: Lester Bowie, Hugh Steinmetz, Kenny Wheeler, trumpets; Albert Mangelsdorff, Eje Thelin, trombone; Willem Breuker, bass clarinet; Joseph Jarman, soprano saxophone; Roscoe Mitchell, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, Heinz Sauer, Gerd Dudek, Bernt Rosengren, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Terje Rypdal, guitar; Dave Burrell, piano; Leo Cuypers, prepared piano; Barre Phillips, Palle Danielsson, bass; Steve McCall, Tony Oxley, Claude Delcloo, drums
on track 3: Karin Krog, voice; Joseph Jarman, flute; Bernt Rosengren, flute, oboe; Terje Rypdal, guitar; Barre Phillips, Palle Danielsson, bass; Steve McCall, drums; Claude Delcloo, bells
on track 4: Karin Krog, multi-tracked voices
on track 5: Willem Breuker, John Surman, bass clarinet

recorded January 10, 1970, Altena, Germany

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

recorded January 27, 1970, Arsonor Studio, Paris

Michel Portal, alto saxophone, bass clarinet; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums; Jean-Pierre Drouet, percussion

Note: This set was also issued as two separate LPs under John Surman's name, Vogue VJD 505/1 and VJD 505/2.
A 2-CD set called 'The Trio featuring John Surman: The Dawn Sessions' (Sequel NEE CD 303) includes both this set and 'The Trio: Conflagration' (for details of which see below).

recorded March 1970, location not given

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

recorded May 25, 1970, Broadway Palace, New York City

on track 1: Dave Holland, Jaime Faunt, Glen Moore, Peter Warren, bass
on track 2: Peter Warren, bass
on track 3: Dave Holland, Jaime Faunt, Glen Moore, Peter Warren, bass; Barry Altschul, tabla
on tracks 4, 5: John Surman, baritone saxophone; Chick Corea, piano; Dave Holland, Glen Moore, Peter Warren, bass; Barry Altschul, Steve Hauss, Stu Martin, drums

Note: A 2-CD set called 'John Surman and Friends: The Dawn Sessions' (Sequel NEE CD 302) includes both this set and 'Stu Martin/John Surman: Live at Woodstock Town Hall' (for details of which see below).

recorded May 1970, New York City

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; John McLaughlin, guitar; Karl Berger, vibraphone; Dave Holland, bass; Stu Martin, drums

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.

recorded June 1970, Altena, Germany

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

recorded July 15-16, 1970, London

Harry Beckett, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor and soprano saxophones; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, piano on 3; John Taylor, piano, electric piano; Frank Ricotti, vibraphone, congas; Chris Laurence, bass; John Webb, drums

Note: Track 3 is erroneously credited to John Surman.

recorded live August 18-19, 1970, Expo Theater, Osaka

Karin Krog, voice; Albert Mangelsdorff, trombone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Jean-Luc Ponty, violin; Francy Boland, piano; Eddy Louiss, organ; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass; Daniel Humair, drums

recorded August 27-29, 1970, Tokyo

John Surman, baritone saxophone on 1, soprano saxophone on 3; Eddie Louiss, organ on 1, 3, 4, piano and marimba on 2; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass on 2; Daniel Humair, drums

Note: The Konnex CD gives the recording date as October 1970.

all composed by Albert Mangelsdorff

recorded August 30, 1970, Tokyo

Albert Mangelsdorff, trombone; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Eddy Louis, piano on 2, organ on 3; Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, bass on 2; Daniel Humair, drums on 2

recorded October 21, 1970, Philips Studio, London

Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Taylor, piano, electric piano; Chris Laurence, bass; Tony Levin, drums; with John Surman, soprano saxophone on 4-7; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone on 4-7

Note: The Trio is featured on side 1 of this LP. Side 2 has tracks by Quinteto Cubano de Jazz and Theo Loevendie.

recorded live October 31, 1970, Warsaw

The Trio: John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

Note: A 2-CD set called 'The Trio featuring John Surman: The Dawn Sessions' (Sequel NEE CD 303) includes both this set and 'The Trio' (the original 2-LP set, for details of which see above).

recording date and location not given -- probably London, late 1970

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums; with Harold Beckett, Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Marc Charig, cornet; Nick Evans, Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Stan Sulzmann, clarinet, flute; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, clarinet; Alan Skidmore, tenor and soprano saxophones, flute; Chick Corea, John Taylor, piano; Dave Holland, bass; John Marshall, drums

Note: The Vocalion 2-CD set includes both this record and 'Michael Gibbs' (for details of which see above).

presumably all composed by Gibbs (the Deram CD has no composition credits)

recorded November & December 1970, Morgan Studios, London

collective personnel: Ken Wheeler, Henry Lowther, Harry Beckett, Nigel Carter, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Chris Pyne, David Horler, Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Dick Hart, Alfie Reece, tuba; John Surman, Alan Skidmore, Tony Roberts, Stan Sulzmann, Brian Smith, reeds; Chris Spedding, guitar; Mick Pyne, John Taylor, Gordon Beck, keyboards; Frank Ricotti, vibraphone, percussion; Roy Babbington, bass guitar, bass; Jeff Clyne, bass; John Marshall, Clive Thacker, drums; Tony Gilbert, Michael Rennie, Hugh Bean, George French, Bill Armon, Raymond Moseley, Geoff Wakefield, violin; Fred Alexander, Alan Ford, cello; Michael Gibbs, arranger, conductor

Note: See November 1969 for an additional track with Surman.

recorded December 1970, Hamburg

Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; John Surman, baritone saxophone; Pierre Cavalli, guitar; Friedrich Gulda, piano; Barre Phillips, bass; Klaus Weiss, drums

recorded December 14 & 15, 1970, Cornet Studios, Cologne

Rolf Kühn, clarinet; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, electric piano; Joachim Kühn, piano, organ; Chick Corea, electric piano; Peter Warren, bass; Tony Oxley, drums

recorded January 9, 1971, London

Mongezi Feza, pocket trumpet, Indian flute; Harry Beckett, trumpet; Mark Charig, cornet; Malcolm Griffiths, Nick Evans, trombone; Dudu Pukwana, alto saxophone; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, clarinet; Ronnie Beer, tenor saxophone, Indian flute; Alan Skidmore, tenor and soprano saxophones; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Chris McGregor, piano, African xylophone; Harry Miller, bass; Louis Moholo, drums

all composed by John Taylor

recorded February 1971, London

Kenny Wheeler, trumpet; Chris Pyne, trombone; Stan Sulzmann, alto saxophone, flute; John Taylor, piano; Chris Laurence, bass; Tony Levin, drums; with John Surman, soprano saxophone on tracks 1, 4; Norma Winstone, voice on track 5

recorded March 31-April 2, 1971, Supraphon Studios, Prague

Miloslav Bures, Jirí Hlava, trumpet; Jan Capoun, Nikola Janev, trumpet on 1, 2, 3; Jirí Jelínek, Jaroslav Lautner, trumpet on 4, 5; Slide Hampton, Zdenek Pulec, Jan Hyncica, Josef Petrzilka, Miroslav Kozeluh, trombone; Petr Fleischer, tuba; Jirí Stivín, Jirí Válek, flute; Miroslav Krysl, clarinet, alto saxophone; Dusan Húscava, Jan Václavík, clarinet, tenor saxophone; Rudolf Tichácek, clarinet and tenor saxophone on 1, 2, 3; Jaroslav Hájek, clarinet and tenor saxophone on 4, 5; John Surman, soprano and baritone saxophones; Rudolf Dasek, guitar; Karel Velebný, vibraphone; Laco Gerhardt, piano, electric piano; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums; Václav Zahradník, conductor

Note: This LP was issued in 1987. The credits give the recording date as 1979, but this is apparently a misprint. The liner notes indicate that the recordings are from 1971, when The Trio was an active group.

recorded April 16-17, 1971, Tangerine Studios

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, cornet; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

all composed by John Warren

recorded 1971, London

Martin Drover, Kenny Wheeler, Harry Beckett, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, Ed Harvey, Danny Almark, trombone; Stan Sulzmann, alto and soprano saxophones, flute; Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, clarinet; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, flute; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; John Warren, baritone saxophone, flute; John Taylor, piano; Harry Miller, Barre Phillips, bass; Alan Jackson, Stu Martin, drums

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.

recorded 1971, Altena, Germany

Albert Mangelsdorff Quartet & The Trio: Albert Mangelsdorff, trombone; Heinz Sauer, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Barre Phillips, Günter Lenz, bass; Stu Martin, Ralf Hübner, drums

Note: Additional tracks are by Friedrich Gulda, Weather Report, Dave Pike Set, Tangerine Dream, and others.

recorded June 25-July 5, 1971, Ossiach, Austria

on track 12, George Gruntz group: John Surman, soprano saxophone; Jean-Luc Ponty, violin; George Gruntz, electric piano; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums; Salah El Mahdi, nai; Jelloul Osman, mezoued; Moktar Slama, zoukra; Hattab Jouini, tabla, darbouka; Limpe Fuchs, voice

on track 13, The Trio: John Surman, baritone saxophone; Barre Phillips, bass; Stu Martin, drums

Note: Additional tracks are without Surman.

recorded September 3, 1971, Berlin

Weather Report and guests: Wayne Shorter, tenor and soprano saxophone; Joe Zawinul, keyboards; Miroslav Vitous, bass; Alphonse Mouzon, drums; Dom Um Romao, percussion; with Eje Thelin, trombone; Alan Skidmore, flute, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet

Note: This 1995 CD was the first issue of this music. No composition credits are given.

recorded February 1972, Pye Studios

Mike Osborne, alto saxophone; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones; Harry Miller, Earl Freeman, bass; Louis Moholo, drums

all composed by Surman

recorded September 1972, London

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, recorder, piano, synthesizer, percussion

recorded March 12, 1973, Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; John Surman, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet; Terje Rypdal, guitar; John Taylor, piano, electric piano; Chris Laurence, bass; John Marshall, drums

Note: A 2-CD set called 'John Surman and Friends: The Dawn Sessions' (Sequel NEE CD 302) includes both this set and 'McLaughlin/Surman/et al: Where Fortune Smiles' (for details of which see above).

all composed by Martin/Surman

recorded 1974, Woodstock, New York

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Stu Martin, drums, synthesizer

Note: Other tracks are without Surman.

recorded live July 27-28, 1974, Balver Hoehle Jazz Festival, Germany

S.O.S.: Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, percussion; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, drums; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizer

Note: Most of the track times given on the LP jacket are rather far off from the actual track lengths. The times given above are as given on the CD edition.
An uncredited piano is heard on track 2, most likely played by Surman.

all composed by S.O.S.

recorded February 9-11, 1975, Saturn Studios, Worthing, England
electronics recorded January 1-2, 1975, Griffout Studios

Mike Osborne, alto saxophone, percussion; Alan Skidmore, tenor saxophone, drums; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizer

all composed by Mike Westbrook

recorded March 21-22, 1975, Phonogram Studios, London

Nigel Carter, Derek Healey, Henry Lowther, Kenny Wheeler, trumpet, fluegelhorn; Malcolm Griffiths, trombone; Paul Rutherford, trombone, euphonium; Alf Reece, Geoff Perkins, bass trombone; Mike Page, alto saxophone, flute, bass clarinet; Alan Wakeman, tenor and soprano saxophones, clarinet; John Holbrooke, tenor saxophone, flute; John Warren, baritone saxophone, flute; John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet; Brian Godding, guitar; Dave MacRae, piano, electric piano; Chris Laurence, bass, bass guitar; Alan Jackson, drums; John Mitchell, percussion; Mike Westbrook, music director, electric piano on tracks 2, 4, 5

all composed by Surman

recorded May 16, 1975, International New Jazz Festival, Moers, Germany

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizers; Tony Levin, drums

all composed by Phillips/Feichtner/Surman/Martin

recorded March 1976, Tonstudio Bauer, Ludwigsburg

John Surman, baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet, synthesizer; Dieter Feichtner, synthesizer; Barre Phillip