Kenney Jones on Small Faces, Nice Records & the Future of Classic Reissues
Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake Returns – Plus New Faces & Humble Pie Releases Revealed
When legendary drummer Kenney Jones joins you for a conversation, you know the stories are going to be special.
For this episode of the Now Spinning Magazine Podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Kenney alongside Nigel Adams, his partner in Nice Records. Together they are quietly building one of the most exciting archival labels for fans of classic British rock — especially collectors who care about quality sound, thoughtful packaging, and historical context.
At the centre of our discussion is a stunning new reissue of the Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake album by Small Faces — a record widely regarded as one of the most inventive albums of the late 1960s.
But the conversation went far beyond one release.
Kenney and Nigel opened up about the philosophy behind Nice Records, the excitement of rediscovering archival recordings, and even teased several major upcoming projects for fans of Steve Marriott, The Faces, and Humble Pie.
The Return of Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake
First released in 1968, Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake became the Small Faces’ most successful album — topping the UK charts and cementing the band’s reputation for musical imagination and visual creativity.
The album’s iconic round sleeve — inspired by a tobacco tin design — remains one of the most distinctive pieces of record packaging ever produced.
For this new edition, Nice Records have gone to extraordinary lengths to ensure the album receives the presentation it deserves.
The vinyl release features:
- Half-speed mastering
- 180g heavyweight vinyl
- A carefully recreated round sleeve design
- Premium packaging and protective inner sleeves
For collectors who may already own earlier copies, this edition offers something special: the opportunity to experience the album again with improved audio fidelity and production quality.
Kenney himself remains deeply attached to the album.
“I’m still in love with Ogdens from the day we did it till now.”
And that passion clearly drives the care that has gone into the new edition.
Rediscovering the Archives
One of the most fascinating aspects of the project came when engineer Rob Keyloch began exploring Kenney’s personal tape archive.
What they discovered surprised even Kenney.
“I didn’t realise what I had until Rob came over and we went through all my stuff.”
Kenney explained that during the recording sessions he would often keep backing track tapes of his drum recordings so he could study them and improve his playing.
Those tapes now provide invaluable historical material — including session recordings, alternate takes and other archive treasures that collectors love.
For fans of studio history, it’s a rare window into the creative process of the Small Faces during one of their most inventive periods.
The Importance of Physical Music
Nice Records has quickly developed a reputation among collectors for beautifully produced physical releases.
Their previous releases — including the expanded Autumn Stone box set and Small Faces Live 1966 — have been embraced enthusiastically by fans.
Nigel Adams admitted that even he underestimated how popular physical releases still are.
“I thought maybe 1,500 CDs would sell… but we’ve passed 10,000.”
The label’s philosophy is simple: treat the music with respect and design releases that fans will treasure.
For collectors like many of us in the Now Spinning Magazine community, that attention to detail matters enormously.
From replica sleeves to carefully produced booklets, these releases are designed not just to be listened to — but to be experienced.
What’s Coming Next?
The most exciting moment in the conversation came when Nigel revealed several future projects currently being planned by Nice Records.
Among them:
Small Faces Decca Singles Box
A vinyl box set collecting the band’s first eight Decca singles — complete with rare Danish picture sleeves.
Immediate Singles Collection
Another planned box set covering the band’s Immediate label singles.
Humble Pie 6CD Box Set
Perhaps the biggest surprise of all.
Nigel confirmed that a six-CD Humble Pie box set is in development featuring:
- previously unreleased live recordings
- soundchecks
- rehearsal material
- studio chatter between Steve Marriott and Peter Frampton
For fans of Humble Pie’s early period, this could be a truly remarkable archival release.
Kenny’s Acetates
Another mysterious project was teased — something discovered in Kenney’s personal collection that may appear later this year.
The Legacy of Steve Marriott
During the discussion we also reflected on the remarkable voice of Steve Marriott.
Over the years his reputation has continued to grow — with younger listeners discovering his work through the Small Faces and Humble Pie catalogue.
Kenney summed it up perfectly:
“Steve is one of the best singers in the world.”
For many listeners, these new archival releases are helping introduce Marriott’s work to a whole new generation of fans.
A Label Built for Collectors
What makes Nice Records special is that it genuinely feels like a label created by people who understand collectors.
They recognise that music fans don’t just want files or streams.
We want the story, the packaging, the artwork, and the connection to the era the music came from.
And that philosophy is exactly why the label has resonated so strongly with the Now Spinning Magazine community.
Speaking with Kenney Jones was a real privilege.
Not only is he one of the great drummers in British rock history — from the Small Faces and Faces to The Who — but he remains passionate about preserving the music that shaped generations.
With Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake returning in a beautifully crafted edition and several exciting archival projects on the horizon, it feels like a great time to be a fan of this music.
And if the future releases match the quality of what Nice Records has already produced, collectors have a lot to look forward to.
Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake Returns – Review
Thank you for all your support
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
