“What’s happening here is a special relationship, like Miles and Coltrane, or Dizzy and Bird.” - Steve Reid

So spoke Steve Reid, veteran jazz drummer and percussionist, of the remarkable musical relationship he forged in the final years of his life with Kieran Hebden (Four Tet), the British electronic musician/producer young enough to be his grandson.

Even up to his death aged 66, in 2010, Reid continued to push himself outside his comfort zone in his duo with Kieran, which began in 2005 and led to four albums on the Domino label. Now, courtesy of Norwegian label Smalltown Superjazzz, comes the fifth and final instalment of the pair’s momentous synergy. The music on this double CD was recorded in concert on 20 June 2009 in the foyer of the Queen Elizabeth Hall at London’s Southbank Centre, as part of the Meltdown Festival curated by free jazz legend Ornette Coleman. For this marathon workout, Reid and Hebden were joined by Swedish power saxophonist Mats Gustafsson, whose fiery blowing style had inspired Kieran to seek out a drummer like Steve to work with in the first place.

Live at the South Bank stands as a memorial to a thrilling and productive partnership sadly cut off in its prime. As Kieran says: “I think me and Steve saw that show as a starting point for working with some other musicians... But then he fell ill and it ended up being one of our last shows. I’m so glad it was recorded and this album is coming out to document it.”

“I had as much fun playing that night as I’ve ever had playing music.” - Kieran Hebden