LIVE '75

A very welcome surprise indeed, this belated reissue documenting the The Jack Bruce Band's 1975 British tour adds another excellent chapter to the ex-Cream bassist's already impressive discography. Recorded at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in England and featuring a line-up comprised of Bruce(bass, vocals), Mick Taylor(guitar), Carla Bley(keyboards), Ronnie Leahy(piano) and Gary Bruce(drums), the imaginatively-titled 'Live '75' finds this particular five-piece in fine form, churning out an impressive set featuring mainly Bruce originals and topped off with a fiery, twelve-minute rendition of Cream's signature piece 'Sunshine Of Your Love'. Add an expertly-crafted, twenty-five minute version of 'Waterfalls', a similarly-sized delivery of 'Smiles & Grins' and a seventeen-minute long blending of both Bruce's 'One' and 'You Burned The Tables On Me' and what you have is a truly epic recording that really does leave no stone unturned. Fans of both Bruce's varied solo work, his time with Cream, the three similarly-styled Baker Gurvitz Army albums(featuring Cream cohort Ginger Baker) and classic rock staples such as Chicago, Dave Mason and Humble Pie will surely be in dreamland with this excellent double-live offering that also shows what a prolific period the 1970's was for one of Rock's most iconic bassists. Highly recommended, 'Live '75' could just be one of the reissues of the year.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012