Now if HG Wells’ 19th century time traveller had set his controls to the year 1965 instead of aeons further into the future, he might have encountered the remarkable spectacle of Tubby Hayes engaging in a breathtaking tenor saxophone battle with Tommy Whittle, at the Hopbine pub in Wembley.

Clearly this would be infinitely more attractive than chancing upon warring Morlocks and Eloi in the year A.D 802,701, as described by Mr Wells. But thanks to the enthusiasts at Jazz in Britain (JiB) we can now travel back and hear a great gig once feared lost in the mists of time.

This 2CD set complements a previous JiB release, Tubby Hayes: The Complete Hopbine ‘69 (2021). Tubby is heard at the peak of his powers with Kenny Powell (piano), Dick Brennan (drums) and a 21-year-old double bass player who had turned up as a ‘dep’ only to be greeted with suspicion by the leader. But Ron Mathewson soon became a regular member of Tubby's groups until the latter's death in 1973. Ron's collection of tape reels – including rare live recordings – has provided much for Brit-jazz enthusiasts to enjoy, as is the case here.

On CD One, Tubby launches into a blistering ‘Night And Day’, ideas flowing in a molten stream of creativity, that must have hypnotised the Hopbiners, let alone his backing musicians. Mathewson clearly delights Hayes with a nimble bass solo and praise is also due to the drummer hurled into a maelstrom of swopped eights. ‘It Never Entered My Mind’ brings ballad calm while ‘I Remember You’ a piano trio piece swings nicely. ‘On Green Dolphin Street’ pitches club promoter Whittle on stage with his guest and you can hear the mutual respect during a duetting finale.

Disc Two reveals Tubby blowing with barely a pause for breath on a grooving ‘No Blues’ that would have impressed composer Miles Davis, had he been sipping a pint of bitter at the bar that night. The horns give way to Kenny Powell for a relaxed ‘What's New?’ but Tommy and Tubby return for an exhilarating date with ‘Have You Met Miss Jones?’ More to the point, have you met Tubby Hayes? This is your chance.