Everything about this first-ever release on drummer Pete Cater’s new mister PC label exudes class. The look of the album, its design and booklet notes, the superb photography, the marvellous sound, but above all, the sheer fizzing intensity of the playing. It’s all here.

Plus, the peerless Tubby Hayes big band repertoire, of course. Cater’s bold step in ensuring that the album is a reality deserves the highest praise, as does Spillett for making this amazing band happen.

Label operator he may be, but it is as band drummer that Cater has also backed up enterprise with brilliance. His break opens the dazzling ‘Dear John B,’ the accents spot on, the majestic trumpet attack balanced by meaty trombone riffs, Mayne and Fishwick’s solos like rocket fuel. And it’s not all fire and brimstone either, these 12 charts, authored or arranged by Hayes, are nicely varied, viz ‘As Close As You Are,’ altogether calmer, with leader Spillett relaxed and Gavita spacious and serene. Invidious to pick out soloists, really; each man is up to blow and they do, sometimes in number and all aiming at their best.

Spillett told Jazzwise that his band is ‘a setting for soloists,’ and so it is. Fierce or fancy, they can do it all.

I saw the band in July 2022, loved it then, now with just two changes in personnel, the repertoire bedded in and an evident delight in performing it that shouts out from every track, they’ve been caught at their peak. Never had the good fortune to hear the Hayes big band live – not many did, but I would guess the great man would have been bowled over by what’s on offer here. Hayes’ charts are often complex, certainly demanding, and a challenge to play. A challenge more than well met, on this evidence.