Tubby Hayes

Double CD Edition. Recorded at Ronnie Scott's, London, on either the 17th or 18th October 1972. Double CD in digipak with 24 page booklet containing previously unseen images and an extensive essay researched and written by Simon Spillett. From the Ron Mathewson tape archive. This previously unissued live recording features one of the final appearances by the ‘classic’ Tubby Hayes Quartet featuring pianist Mick Pyne, bassist Ron Mathewson (who made the original recording) and drummer Tony Levin, the line-up that had earlier created the landmark LP ‘Mexican Green’. 

Taken from original tape sources and lovingly remastered by Matt Parker, this release sheds new light on the later stages of the great saxophonists career, showing that although ravaged by ill health and barely months away from his death, Hayes was still capable of giving his all.  Featuring a Hayes composition not previously heard on any other commercial release (‘Lady Celia’), together with a programme of material ranging from standards by Cole Porter to themes by John Coltrane and Victor Feldman, this is an album which captures not only a key juncture in both the life and work of its headliner but something of the richness of the British jazz scene of the early 1970s. 

Packaged with period photographs and personal ephemera relating to the gig itself, together with an extensive booklet note essay by Hayes biographer Simon Spillett, ‘Free Flight’ is yet another valuable release from John Thurlow’s ‘Jazz In Britain’ label, an imprint which, although still relatively new, is already providing plenty of surprises for fans of the ‘golden era’ of UK-made jazz and improvised music.