This musical labour of love started many moons ago when myself and John McKenzie (now sadly deceased), bass player and member of my first band Global Village Trucking Company, decided to write some tunes together partly based on my overflowing collection of instruments plus our shared love of worldwide sounds and jamming together. We recorded on John's laptop initially and traveled to Paris to record Didier Malherbe, once of Gong, on his wonderful duduk and sax. I also wrote a tune for Andaunion, a brilliant traditional group from Mongolia utilizing overtone or Hoomei singing and Morinhuur, a bowed instrument akin in tone and sonic range to a cello.
We also recorded at my long-time musical compadre, drummer and colleague Richard Bailey’s studio in Chelsea. Richard and I were part of The Breakfast Band and it took no persuasion to invite fellow Breakfast Band members Kuma Harada, Tony Maronie and Winston Delandro to perform on the Hands album. Mikey Bailey is now our bass player.
Together we have supported, enhanced and collaborated with Frank Zappa, L Shankar, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Joan Armatrading, Steve Winwood, Jeff Beck, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Joss Stone, Mick Taylor, Bob Marley, Shusha, Incognito, Paul Buckmaster, Anette Peacock, Cymande, the Bauls of Bengal among others.
Dedicated to John McKenzie and Kuma Harada (RIP) and Global Tribal Harmony.
Collaborations are very much to the fore and we're planning some recordings with the Bauls of Bengal, where I spent a month in India with fellow Talking Spirit Tim Herniman (sax/violin) rehearsing and perfoming with the Bauls; there are other characters on the horizon; watch this space!
