29th February 2008

The first newsletter of 2008 is full fantastic release news, but I’d like to begin by thanking all of our valued customers throughout the world for their continuing loyal support and enthusiasm for Esoteric Recordings’ releases and also by apologising for the delay in posting a new update. The work load for the year so far has been immense, but very rewarding. Your kind comments to us make it all the more so.

In the coming weeks we have new releases drawn from the vaults of Decca records. They include a welcome reissue of one of some of the rarest albums to appear on Decca’s Deram imprint, “Swaddling Songs” by MELLOW CANDLE and “Pre-Flight” by ROOM. Both releases have been remastered from the original master tapes by Paschal Byrne at the Audio Archiving Company and come beautifully packaged with lavish booklets. We’re particularly grateful to Steve Edge of the band for writing the wonderful liner notes to the reissue and to Room’s Roy Putt for providing previously unseen photographs and cuttings to illustrate the book.

In addition to these releases we are also beginning the reissuing of the KEEF HARTLEY BAND catalogue in March with the release of the albums “The Time is Near” and “Overdog”. Both albums have interesting notes written by Keef Hartley and are beautifully laid out in artwork by Phil Smee. Reissues of Keef Hartley’s “Halfbreed”, “The Battle of North West Six” and “Little Big Band” follow in April, again all annotated by the man himself and with booklets featuring previously unseen photographs. For those of you interested in Keef’s current activities, please visit his website at www.halfbreed.co.uk

The spring also heralds the first ever CD release of the eponymous album by STUD. Released in 1971, the album was the first release by a band that featured Richard McCracken and John Wilson (ex-Taste) and Jim Cregan (formerly with Blossom Toes). The album is an interesting amalgam of styles, taking in rock, jazz and blues. The result is a classic of the time due for re-discovery. The presence of former Eric Burdon and the Animals and Family member John Weider on violin, guesting on two tracks, enhances the music to great effect.

Also in April Esoteric Recordings are proud to add to their catalogue both albums by LOVE SCULPTURE. The band featured Dave Edmunds on Guitar and Vocals and scored a big hit in 1968 with the classic instrumental “Sabre Dance”, featuring Edmunds’ incendiary guitar playing. “Blues Helping”, the groups’ first album for EMI’s Parlophone label, featured classic interpretations of pieces such as “Summertime”. Our reissue adds both sides of the first Love Sculpture single “River to Another Day” and “Brand New Woman” and the rare single “Morning Dew” b/w “It’s a Wonder” (released under the name The Human Beans) as bonus tracks.

The classic 1969 album “Forms and Feelings” is perhaps Love Sculpture’s finest hour, featuring an eleven minute version of “Sabre Dance” (now preceded by Edmunds’ interpretation of Holst’s “Mars”, omitted from European versions of the album), along with rare single edits of tracks such as “In the Land of the Few”, “Seagull” and “Farandole”. Bonus tracks are completed by the inclusion of the single version of “Sabre Dance”.

April’s schedule is rounded off with the release of the album “Theraphosa Blondi” by THE WEB. Our recent reissue of the classic “I Spider” prompted interest in the band’s earlier album that marked a transition from a more “pop” based outfit to a group more “progressive” in their nature. Originally released on Deram, the Esoteric Recordings reissue has been remastered by Dave Lawson and features liner notes by Web’s John Eaton, along with previously unseen photographs and cuttings from the period.

You may also be interested to know that the website www.cherryred.tv , a new web based television channel from Cherry Red records, will be featuring an interview with founder Barclay James Harvest member Woolly Wolstenholme in March, along with a feature on Esoteric Recordings. Please visit the website, as over the coming months it will be offering many interesting features and video clips for your viewing pleasure.

Beyond April things are looking very exciting for us, with releases lined-up by artists such as Curved Air, Darryl Way’s Wolf, Johnny Almond Music Machine and the new studio album by Caravan and Camel keyboard player JAN SCHELHAAS. “Dark Ships” was crafted by Jan over the past two years and features contributions from Caravan guitarist DOUG BOYLE and legendary saxophonist and flautist JIMMY HASTINGS , a regular contributor to Caravan recordings. Detailed information on these releases and more will follow in April. Until then, thank you for keeping all of us at Esoteric busy and I look forward to keeping you up to date with everything next month.

Mark Powell