Although Count Basie was still alive in 1981 (he died in 1984) this group of his former sideman, plus the impeccable Nat Pierce on piano, took to the road as a nine-piece that had all the power of the maestro's big band. Yes, Freddie Green was missing, but this all-star collection of former Basie-ites creates a stunningly effective tribute to their former boss in this Hamburg concert.

Whether it's Billy Mitchell tearing up the opening ‘Bluesbird Blues’, or Benny Powell showing his mastery of the plunger mute on ‘Please Send Me Someone to Love’, the solos match the intensity that I remember of hearing the big band live. But the ensemble work here is equally in the spirit of the Basie orchestra – ‘Shiny Stockings’ is a good example, showing just what a fine drummer Johnson was, playing for the ensemble rather than for himself. And over their riffs, Joe Newman shines, and the other soloists flourish, with Powell again reminding us what an overlooked giant of the trombone he was. And Buddy Tate blows everyone off the stage with a simply ravishing ballad ‘Everything Happens to Me’. When the set closes with a propulsive upbeat version of ‘Little Pony’, with the entire ensemble on top form, but specially Nat Pierce at his Basie-esque best on piano, the impulse is to shout ‘More!’ at the speakers. But fortunately, a second volume is on the way next year with Joe Williams on vocals. Can't wait.