These live recordings serve as homage to Bobby Wellins, one of the most distinctive of all British tenor saxophonists. However, it was the 1746 Battle of Culloden fought twixt Scottish and English armies that inspired the Glasgow-born musician to compose his Culloden Moor Suite in 1961.

There have been a few live performances of Wellin’s ambitious project over the years. But the most dynamic must surely be one taped by drummer Spike Wells during a Wellins Sextet tour in 1979. This unmissable CD includes a 16-page booklet in which Spike describes the fun on the road when Lol Coxhill and Bryan Spring joined the original Wellins quartet.

The combatants swing into 3/4 action on the lively ‘What Is the Truth?’ with Bobby’s beautiful tone to the fore. Spike’s explosive drumming is showcased on ‘Conudrums’ while Pete Jacobsen is strongly featured on both ‘Aura Best’, and a dazzling untitled piano solo.

Culloden Suite begins with a menacing ‘Gathering’ followed by ‘March’ when Spring is recruited on military snare drum. Peter switches to electric piano as ‘Battle’ develops, underscored by duelling twixt Coxhill and Wellins. The tragedy of ‘Aftermath’ is relieved by ‘Dizzy’s Blues’ with more light hearted battles between Lol and Bobby and of course Bryan and Spike, who spike their drums in a grand percussive finale.