Dancing in the Dark Savage Solweig***

Just how extraordinary the late, great Tubby Hayes was can be gauged from this previously unreleased live 1964 date with his award-winning quintet, completed by Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet/mellophonium) and a Terry Shannon-Freddy Logan- Allan Ganley rhythm section. An excellent Jazz Messengers hard bop group, it was nevertheless dominated by Hayes. Operating on a different level, he was a virtuoso who could seem likea force of nature, here successfully pushing the limits of execution and coherence with weapons-grade tenor solos on the title track and the equally supersonic original, Suddenly Last Tuesday. Elsewhere he epitomised mellow invention on another original, As close as you are, and on Younger Than Springtime, where his vibes echo Milt Jackson. Despite their length, the performances are well sustained and the sound is surprisingly good. See savagesolweigrecords.com