US release - August 24th, 2004 from SANCTUARY RECORDS

UK release - June 14th, 2004 from SANCTUARY CLASSICS

Charlie Watts is back at Scott's. This time with his Tentet. Five decades of jazz giants gaze back from their framed portraits towards Ronnie's hallowed stage where a dream team of the UK's finest players is cranking the engine of Main Stem, the hot-wired Duke Ellington standard that opens this remarkable labour of love. There are precious few chances these days to witness such an intriguingly diverse line-up. A little big band, built around Charlie's original quintet, which brings together the straightahead masters with the new maestros and adds the inimitable outsider edge of Evan Parker. And boy, does it gel. A retrospective musical feast that encompasses the swing and bebop eras of the 1940s and 50s and the Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott bands of the 1960s, yet hits a compelling contemporary note with two potent Gerard Presencer compositions and sparkling new Peter King arrangements based on the Charlie Watts / Jim Keltner Project. The sheer warmth, joy and generous spirit flowing is unmistakable. And that's just the audience. You had to be there of course. But hey, do the next best thing and punch the play button now!