Live at BBC 1970 captures the raw energy and innovation of Nucleus in their formative year, presenting a selection of live sessions recorded for the BBC just as the group was redefining British jazz-rock. Founded by trumpeter Ian Carr, Nucleus emerged from London’s vibrant late-60s scene and quickly established themselves at the forefront of jazz fusion, inspired by the electric revolution of Miles Davis.

This LP features standout performances of key tracks from their groundbreaking debut Elastic Rock-including two versions of the title track, “1916: The Battle of Boogaloo,” “Stonescape,” and “Twisted Track.” These compositions, performed with the original lineup of Ian Carr (trumpet, flugelhorn), Brian Smith (saxophone, flute), Karl Jenkins (oboe, keyboards), Chris Spedding (guitar), Jeff Clyne (bass), and John Marshall (drums), showcase the band’s adventurous interplay and genre-blurring sound.

1970 was a landmark year for Nucleus: after recording Elastic Rock in January, the group won first prize at the Montreux Jazz Festival and went on to perform at Newport and the Village Gate in New York. The BBC sessions documented here capture the group at their creative peak, blending intricate rhythms, melodic invention, and electric textures that would influence generations of jazz and rock musicians.

a1 Elastic Rock (Top Gear, Presented By John Peel, March 7, 1970)
a2 Orpheus 4'24" + Persephone's Jive 2'36"(Top Gear, Presented By John Peel, March 7, 1970)
a3 Twisted Track (Top Gear, Presented By John Peel, March 7, 1970)
a4 Stonescape 1'42" + Single Line 1'05" (Jazz Club With Stan Tracey Big Band, Presented By Ray Harvey, May 6, 1970)
a5 Freudian Saturday (Jazz In Britain, Presented By Brian Priestley, July 27, 1970)
a6 Jam (Jazz In Britain, Presented By Brian Priestley, July 27, 1970)
b1 1916 (The Battle Of Boogaloo) (Top Gear, Presented By John Peel, March 7, 1970)
b2 Sun Child (Jazz In Britain, Presented By Brian Priestley, July 27, 1970)
b3 Oasis (Jazz In Britain, Presented By Brian Priestley, July 27, 1970)
b4 Elastic Rock (Jazz Club With Stan Tracey Big Band, Presented By Ray Harvey, May 6, 1970