Trevor Watts doth bestride the saxophone like a colossus and has done so these past four score years and five. Establishing his reputation as a creative musician with legendary ensembles the New Jazz Orchestra and Spontaneous Music Ensemble Trevor has long since developed an international reputation for his ever evolving experimental work.

Hailed as a composer and band leader he celebrates both roles with these important live recordings from his personal archives. It features a performance of ‘The Lantern Tree’, a piece commissioned by Brighton Community Theatre group in 1999. This hour long version was played by his nine piece group in Hastings the following year.

The opening number floats through a recurring theme appropriately called ‘White Sail’. A cleverly structured arrangement underpinned by sonorous bass guitar and funky drums driving the saxophones to a turbulent frenzy, like sea breaking on the rocks. Keene’s piano heralds ‘Summer Suns’ and despite the ‘jamming’ feel, melodies and well organised section work prevail ensuring the final results are more than satisfying, and that includes Trevor’s exultant soprano solo.

A mysterious mood pervades ‘Dancing Gods’ which will hypnotise purchasers of this limited edition CD for a mere £8!

‘Passing Clouds’ with piano accompanied by singing bells courtesy of Iaazane, is a more restrained showcase for Trevor who sets the piece in motion before the massed horns and drums kick off. ‘Other Worlds’ is both mystical and funky, with film score potential methinks. The full band slithers into action on ‘Shining Shadows’ which begins to sound like an Egyptian Sly & The Family Stone before changing gear into a desert song with a mournful soprano sax wailing across the palm trees. Watch out for McKenzie’s bass guitar delineating the underlying melody.

‘Seven Serpents’ comes complete with battling saxes as the restless theme is once again set up by the ever-nimble bass guitar. Leppard comes into his own with an aggressive drumming interlude. There are more magical moments to send shivers down the spine including those on the remarkable ‘Dreams Of Leaving’ not to mention a joyous ‘Riding Tigers’ and mysteriously percussive ‘Chinese Whispers.’ Wish you were at that live show in the year 2000? This time machine will take you back in a trice.