Record Reviews

NUCLEUS ~ LIVE AT THE BBC REPERTOIRE 1410 (Barcode: 4009910141021) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1970 - 1991 Released: 2021 This is a monumental 13CD archival Box Set by British Jazz-Rock Fusion ensemble NucleusFind albums by this artist, founded and led by trumpeter / composer / author / bandleader Ian CarrFind albums by this artist, one of the key figures on the British Jazz scene for five decades from 1960s on. The Box Set collects 28 radio broadcasts recorded between July 1970 and November 1991, an incredible document of the British Jazz history, the development of the genre in general and Jazz-Rock Fusion in particular. Painstakingly collected, organized, remastered / restored, the music is a priceless tribute to one of the most creative bands active in Britain ever. The Box Set includes an informative booklet with an essay written by Roger FarbeyFind albums by this artist. The Nucleus lineup included over time the absolute Who’s Who of the British Jazz scene, including many of the first generation of players, who revolutionized British Jazz in the late 1960s. Some of the most prominent figures, who played with the ensemble for many years were saxophonist / keyboardist Karl JenkinsFind albums by this artist, bassist Jeff ClyneFind albums by this artist, drummer John MarshallFind albums by this artist (who apart from Carr plays on almost all the tracks in this Box Set), saxophonist Brian SmithFind albums by this artist, guitarist Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist and many others. Many of the ensemble members contributed also their original compositions to the repertoire performed by the ensemble, especially in the early days, with Carr’s compositions dominating the repertoire in the later period. Although Nucleus, contrary to Farbey’s statement, did not pioneer British Jazz-Rock Fusion as such, the ensemble was one of the key focal points of the genre for many years, even after the genre run out of steam by the mid-1970s. Carr was a prolific composer and Nucleus was for many years the best environment to develop and present his compositions in the most successful way. As usual with such releases, based on material from the BBC vaults, it is imperative to emphasize the role of the BBC in the development of music in Britain, when it supplied the stable platform for musicians to perform, with the music being broadcast (sometimes worldwide) and eventually archived for posterity. This unmeasurable contribution to British Culture is truly phenomenal. Considering the fact that the music in this Box Set was taken not only directly from the BBC archives but also from many secondary private sources, often with problematic sound quality, the sonic effect, especially of the early material, is not up to par with today’s standards, but in view of its historic quality is welcome here, although with a slight unease. Overall, this Box Set is a remarkable effort to document the history of one of the greatest Jazz-Rock Fusion ensembles of all times, and considering the fact that it is mostly previously unreleased, it is a collector’s treasure chest. It is definitely somewhat expensive, but for avid collectors it is worth its weight in gold.

Updated: 06/03/2022Posted: 06/03/2022

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