Nucleus

Label: Vertigo
Country: UK
Released: 1970
Format: Vinyl,LP,Album

Introduction to Nucleus and "Elastic Rock"

Nucleus, a British jazz-rock band, was formed in 1969 by trumpeter and composer Ian Carr. The group emerged from the dissolution of the Rendell-Carr Quintet, where Carr previously played. Their debut album, "Elastic Rock," was released in 1970 under the Vertigo label. This album is a crucial representation of the fusion genre, blending elements of rock and jazz seamlessly.

Recording Details

"Elastic Rock" was recorded over four sessions in January 1970. The dates of these sessions were the 12th, 13th, 16th, and 21st. The album features a diverse range of musical compositions, showcasing the talents of several band members. Karl Jenkins played baritone saxophone, oboe, piano, and electric piano, while Jeff Clyne handled the bass and electric bass. Other members included Brian Smith on saxophones and flute, Chris Spedding on guitar, and John Marshall on drums and percussion.

Artwork and Design

The original gatefold sleeve of "Elastic Rock" was designed by Roger Dean. It features a die-cut, teardrop-shaped opening on the front cover. This unique design reveals an image of a volcanic crater, which complements the album's title and themes.

Live Performances

Nucleus gained recognition for their live performances. In July 1970, the band performed compositions from "Elastic Rock" at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Their performance earned them first prize at the festival, further establishing their presence in the jazz-rock scene.

Musical Style and Composition

The album features a variety of tracks that reflect both rock and jazz influences. Notable compositions include the title track "Elastic Rock" and "Crude Blues," which are examples of the band's experimental approach. The musicianship displayed throughout the album, particularly in the interplay between brass and rhythm sections, highlights their innovative style.

Conclusion

Nucleus continues to be recognized for their contributions to jazz-rock, with members such as Karl Jenkins and John Marshall later joining the band Soft Machine. "Elastic Rock" was released in 1970.

Tracklist

A1	1916 Written-By – Jenkins*
A2	Elastic Rock Written-By – Jenkins*
A3	Striation Written-By – SpeddingWritten-By – Clyne
A4	Taranaki Written-By – Smith*
A5	Twisted Track Written-By – SpeddingWritten-By – Brown
A6	Crude Blues (Part 1) Written-By – CarrWritten-By – Jenkins
A7	Crude Blues (Part 2) Written-By – Carr*
A8	1916-The Battle Of Boogaloo Written-By – Jenkins*
B1	Torrid Zone Written-By – Jenkins*
B2	Stonescape Written-By – Jenkins*
B3	Earth Mother Written-By – SmithWritten-By – SpeddingWritten-By – CarrWritten-By – ClyneWritten-By – MarshallWritten-By – Jenkins
B4	Speaking For Myself, Personally, In My Own Opinion, I Think... Written-By – Marshall*
B5	Persephones Jive Written-By – Carr*

Credits

Baritone Saxophone [Baritone], Oboe, Piano, Electric Piano [Hohner Electra Piano] – Karl Jenkins
Bass, Electric Bass – Jeff Clyne
Cover, Design, Illustration – Roger Dean
Drums, Percussion – John Marshall
Guitar – Chris Spedding
Photography By – Sigurdur Thorarinsson*
Photography By – Ævar Jóhannesson
Producer – Pete King
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor], Soprano Saxophone [Soprano], Flute – Brian Smith
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Ian Carr