Alan Skidmore's first album, Once Upon A Time (also on Vocalion), remains a personal favourite, yet TCB is at least its equal. The former featured a unique grouping of distinctive voices (Taylor, Wheeler, Oxley, Miller) but TCB is a more fully integrated group record. The original side one of the album featured Skid's then quintet with that great servant of the music Malcolm Griffiths on trombone, whilst side two added old friends Osborne and Surman. The closeness of these musicians, coming from many shared work situations, is immediately evident on TCB. But there's also a communal performance ethos and belief that underpins these seven tracks and which brings this set to life in ways that remain both modern and challenging. In a way, the writing seems less important here than on Once Upon A Time. Here, the emphasis is on the playing, both individually and collectively, and on the excitement that comes from making music together. TCB remains one of the most visceral and thrilling British jazz records of its period and a testament to one of our finest musicians.