The Heart Is A Lotus

Recorded in 1970 by the Michael Garrick Sextet featuring the English jazz vocalist Norma Winstone, this album stands as a refined example of the British jazz scene’s openness to poetry, spirituality, and cross-cultural influence. The Heart Is a Lotus blends modern jazz with elements of modal improvisation and Eastern philosophical inspiration, creating a contemplative and fluid sound world. Winstone’s voice is used less as a conventional lead and more as an additional instrument, often delivering an ethereal quality that intertwines with Garrick’s lyrical piano and the ensemble’s subtle interplay. The album’s overall effect is meditative and introspective, reflecting both the experimental currents in late 1960s jazz and a distinctly British sensitivity to atmosphere and form. This vinyl reissue is the first since 1972.