This is a bit like the proverbial waiting for a bus and then three come along together. Except in the case of Nucleus you get several re-releases and two 'buses' you never expected. The first, the Cuneiform CD 'Nucleus live in Bremen' was a welcome surprise, but this Hux release is an absolute delight. It is impossible to exaggerate just how important this Hux CD is because it covers unchartered waters in several areas. One is that it, for the first time, displays how good the original Nucleus line-up was playing live. This is demonstrated on the first three tracks ('Song for the bearded lady', 'Elastic rock' and 'Snakehip's dream' where the level of musicianship is superb and Chris Spedding, who said farewell to the jazz scene shortly after leaving Nucleus in favour of other music, is heard in a staggeringly creative context. At times on 'Snakehips' he sounds like a cross between Steve Cropper and John McLaughlin (Jack Johnson era). It is so refreshing to hear 'Song for the bearded lady' and 'Elastic rock' played live that they almost sound like completely new tunes. Again, the live context gives them a dynamic and edge not heard on the original studio recordings. The solos by Carr and Smith particularly are impressive.

The later set begins with a 12-bar blues 'Easy does it now' and presents a new incarnation of Nucleus although with Carr (obviously) and Marshall present. A new sound does emerge, but equal in sophistication and funk to the earlier versions of the band. 'Easy does it' begins with a riff which hooks into the memory long after it's been heard - so be warned. Then we have previously never released title track 'The Pretty Redhead' with solos by Whitehead, Carr and Wood. 'Redhead' is a funky starting piece which transforms into a quiet, reflective almost ballad-esque one. It engages the listener straight away. Finally there is the elegiac 'For Miles and Miles' with sombre muted trumpet by Carr, which despite its soulful beginning miraculously changes gear and tempo halfway through and becomes an upbeat and joyful reflection of Miles' later period.

This is a really important release for British jazz fans and perhaps all modern jazzers because the quality of the recording is brilliant (although 'live', there is no discernable audience present) and also because this is one of the very first modern British jazz bands to have BBC sessions released on CD. Also, because they are BBC recordings, the novel 'live' sound heard here of Nucleus is recorded in totally first class conditions and is automatically historically important because of this. I only hope that Hux might consider salvaging other long lost gems of British modern jazz from the library vaults of the BBC (should they still be there) because this would be a substantial service to this genre. For Nucleus fans I would need to say that this is not only an indispensable album, but also a truly fantastic one. The cover is great too, accompanied with sleeve notes by Alyn Shipton. Remember, these recordings aren't merely rehashes of old studio tracks played live, they are, in effect, new pieces, often, as with 'Snakehip's dream' with minor changes to the original arrangement. 'The Pretty Redhead' is therefore destined to become an album of the year.

Track listing: 1) Song For The Bearded Lady 2) Elastic Rock 3) Snakehips Dream Recorded: March 9, 1971. Studio 1, Kensington House, London, for broadcast overseas on 'Jazz London' for the BBC Transcription Service. Ian Carr (t, fl); Brian Smith (ss, ts, fl); Karl Jenkins (bar, ob, p, elp); Chris Spedding (g); Jeff Clyne (b, eb); John Marshall (d).

4) Easy Does It Now 5) The Pretty Redhead 6) For Miles and Miles Recorded: October 6, 1982. Maida Vale Studios, London, for 'Jazz In Britain' on BBC Radio 3. The original broadcast was introduced by Charles Fox.Ian Carr (t, fh); Tim Whitehead (ss, ts); Mark Wood (g) ; Joe Hubbard (elb); John Marshall (d).

Roger Farbey, April 2003