IAN CARR’S NUCLEUS — Roots

Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Roots The reissued 12-inch vinyl BEWITH102LP arrives on Be With Records as a freshly remastered edition of the seminal 1973 Vertigo album. This jazz-pop fusion record, now pressed from the original analogue tapes, showcases the band’s daring blend of jazz, rock and funk that has long made the original a collector’s grail. Its wild, acid-tinged cover art and iconic breakbeats have cemented “Roots” as a reference point for both jazz aficionados and beat-makers alike. Within Be With’s 2026 catalogue, BEWITH102LP follows a series of eclectic releases that underline the label’s commitment to forward-thinking, genre-bending music. Earlier this year the label issued Hatchback’s “Phaser For The Ocean, Chorus For The Moon” (BEWITH201LP), Logg’s self-titled LP (BEWITH055LP) and the soulful “Feel My Love” by Vaughan Mason & Butch Dayo (BEWITH054LP). “Roots” slots into this diverse roster as the label’s homage to a historic moment in British jazz-rock, offering a contemporary listening experience that sits comfortably alongside those recent titles. Side A opens with the title track, “Roots” (9:24). The track’s loping breakbeat and low-slung groove create a heist-funk atmosphere that feels simultaneously retro and ahead of its time, a quality that has made it a favorite source for hip-hop producers. Its extended run-time is filled with shifting bass lines, shimmering keys and a smoky brass motif that weaves through Carr’s trumpet, delivering a hypnotic journey without a single filler moment. The second cut, “Images” (4:55), provides a soothing vocal fusion, its melodic flute passages and silky vocal delivery offering a contrast that eases the listener from the intensity of the opener. Closing side A, “Caliban” (4:35) presents a robust, rhythm-driven composition originally conceived as part of a Shakespeare-themed commission; its brass-laden arrangement and driving drums reinforce the record’s fusion ethos. Side B bursts open with the brief, exhilarating samba of “Whapatiti” (3:22), a track that injects a bright, rhythmic lift before giving way to “Capricorn” (4:00). The latter unfolds as a mellow, dreamy constellation, its gradual build of percussion and horns leading to a head-nod rhythm and a compelling bass line. “Odokamona” (3:24) follows, delivering a heavy, riff-soaked passage that borders on jazz-metal, its wah-wah-treated horns adding a distinctive edge. The record closes with “Southern Roots And Celebration” (7:45), a cosmic finale that moves from a languorous, spiritual opening into a mid-tempo, brass-rich banger, ending with an exuberant vocal outburst that captures the band’s celebratory spirit. In the context of Ian Carr’s output, “Roots” stands as a high-water mark of his ambition to fuse jazz with rock, echoing the pioneering work of Miles Davis and the Tony Williams Lifetime while retaining a uniquely British sensibility. Though the band’s line-up shifted frequently, the musicians on this recording – including tenor saxophonist Brian Smith, keyboardist Dave MacRae, guitarist Jocelyn Pitchen, bassist Roger Sutton, drummers Clive Thacker and Aureo De Souza, vocalist Joy Yates and Carr himself on trumpet – represent the cream of 1970s UK jazz. This reissue, remastered by Simon Francis and cut by Pete Norman, restores the original textures with clarity, allowing modern listeners to hear the intricate interplay that defined the era. For DJs, the record offers multiple entry points. The extended “Roots” serves as a deep-groove foundation for late-night sets, its breakbeat ready for looping or layering with contemporary beats. “Images” and “Caliban” provide melodic and rhythmic hooks suitable for more melodic or transitional moments, while “Whapatiti” and “Odokamona” inject high-energy bursts that can punctuate a set. The closing “Southern Roots And Celebration” works as a powerful peak-time climax, its evolving structure supporting dynamic mixing. The 12-inch vinyl format preserves the album’s original sequencing and dynamic range, with the remastered lacquer ensuring the nuances of the 1973 master tapes are faithfully reproduced. The pressing respects the original artwork, with the iconic green robot and dystopian living-room scene restored to its full, vivid detail, making the record a visual as well as auditory statement. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Roots, Be With Records, catalogue BEWITH102LP, 12-inch vinyl, seven tracks. Tracklist: A1. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Roots (9:24) A2. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Images (4:55) A3. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Caliban (4:35) B1. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Whapatiti (3:22) B2. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Capricorn (4:00) B3. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Odokamona (3:24) B4. Ian Carr’s Nucleus – Southern Roots And Celebration (7:45)