Just In Time - The Final Recording

“There’s Buddy Rich and then there’s everybody else.” Mel Tormé

Gearbox presents the final ever recording of the legendary, influential drummer Buddy Rich, whose impact across jazz, rock, funk and soul is unrivalled to this day. The performances took place over 2 nights, the 19th & 20th of November 1986, at Ronnie Scott’s in London, UK.

This is a vitally important release, it being the final ever recording of Rich. He was considered at the time to be the best drummer in the World and was still very much at the top of his game, as can be heard from the recording. Having remained unreleased for over 30 years, and following a labour of love from Rich’s own family, the music can now finally be heard by the public.

From the liner notes, written by Buddy’s daughter:

“My dad chose set lists for the two nights that I hadn’t heard before. He was always brilliant in choosing the right sets, but this time he shied away from the tried and true and went to places musically that were very different. It was as if he knew that he didn’t have to prove anything anymore and could relax and go wherever he wanted and enjoy it. I think the end result proves just that. For two incredible nights I got to sit in the audience and cheer right along with everyone else. I will always remember that time as one of the greatest moments in my life. Now I can revel in the fact that, thankfully, his last recordings were caught on tape for all of us to enjoy forever.

It has taken thirty-three years to finally get these recordings out. An absolute labor of love that I never gave up on. At times it was quite a struggle, but in the end it was all about the music.”