HEMISPHERES

A rare Hux label release that is not from a BBC tapes sources, Hemispheres combines two excellent quality recordings from 70 and 71 throughout Europe, but unfortunately it doesn't state from which gigs or date they actually are from. Nevertheless this disc is an excellent companion to the first two studio releases and the BBC Pretty Redhead release and predates the excellent Live In Bremen album from Cuneiform, since Chris Spedding had left for that date and is present here.

As with most jazz-rock groups, live recordings are often worthy of acquiring because of different versions, but Hemisphere delivers slightly more than that. It has two never studio recorded tracks (the opening Cosa Nostra and the title track) but it also contains a rare cover track: indeed Twisted Track is a piece that was an original Battered Ornaments tracks (young guitarist Spedding's former band having the famous Beat poet Pete Brown as a singer). For a Nucleus enthusiast, this would be enough to justify the price of acquisition, but for the casual fan, it might be a bit different, depending on what album you already own.

As for the differing versions, much to one's surprise, most of them are a bit quieter/calmer than their original versions (especially in my fave We'll Talk About It Later where Jenkins' organ is absent, since they didn't use one on tour), which does not make them any less worthy. Two noteworthy exceptions are the start of 1916 and its closing section Persephone Jives. Another good reason to get this album is the improvs of the group as some of these tracks just segue into their successor without repeating the former theme, because the improvs had simply taken the music there.

As I said above, whether this album will be essential to you depends on what you already own, but for an unconditional fan, Hemispheres belongs on your shelves.

While I prefer the Live in Bremen double album from 1972, this live recording certainly is attractive because it's the original lineup. This album features live recordings from March 1970 and February 1971 both in Europe. Things started to really happen for this band in 1970 as a result of playing often at Ronnie Scott's. John Peel invited the band to play at his highly influential Top Gear show and as a result they were nominated as Britain's entry at the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival where they were judged top band.That prize led them to being invited to the even more prestigious Newport Jazz Festival that summer. Quite a year indeed. The music here is taken from their first three classic albums. Playing it loud is a must in my opinion to catch the nuances and intricate sounds.

"Cosa Nostra" is kind of odd as it sounds like everyone is doing his own thing (haha). Highlights for me are first of all "Elastic Rock" which is one of their best compositions.Then "Twisted Track" which was a Spedding tune he had already recorded with a different band. Guitar and laid back horns early. I like the edge that comes in later.

"1916" is classic ! So melancholic early before veering off into another direction. "Song For The Bearded Lady" features horns galore then it kicks in around 2 minutes. Nice. "Tangent" is excellent. Some spacey sounds on this one before it turns intense 6 minutes in. "Snakehip's Dream" is another killer track.

This is the kind of music that carries me away. Some good pictures in the liner notes as well of the band as they travelled to these different venues.