Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin

1986's Up From the Dark collects a series of U.K. singles recorded by the husband-and-wife team of Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin (both formerly of Hatfield and the North; Gaskin was leader of the group's female auxiliary, the Northettes) in the early '80s. Although Stewart's and Gaskin's roots are in '70s progressive music, these singles show an understanding and appreciation of post-punk dynamics, both in the subtly ironic '60s covers (nearly half of the album, ranging from their hit deconstruction of Lesley Gore's "It's My Party" to a pair of Motown tunes to a sympathetic reading of the Honeybus' freakbeat gem "Do I Figure in Your Life") to a sublime pair of covers of recent singles. Thomas Dolby's "Leipzig," one of his finest early songs, is given a ghostly, gorgeous reading, and this version of Andy Partridge's "Roads Girdle the Globe" is the finest XTC cover ever…

Intelligent, moving, jazz influenced, progressive rock performed by a stellar cast of musicians including amongst others and in addition to Pip himself is: Dave Stewart, Barbara Gaskin, Phil Miller, Jakko M Jaksyk, Richard Sinclair, John Greaves, Fred Thelonious Baker, Hugh Hopper, Paul Rogers, Didier Malherbe and Elton Dean. Pip Pyle has played drums with amongst others Gong, Hatfield and the North, National Health and In Cahoots and this album shows also what a great composer he is. Quite simply this album contains some of the best examples of the Canterbury/Prog Rock music that has been heard on CD.

The early 80's is now a quarter of a century ago! Whilst there have been many 80's compilations we feel now is a good time to release an `edgier', cooler tracklisting highlighting some of the artists and tracks that may not be as familiar, but still defined the times.

Phil Miller is an English progressive rock/jazz guitarist who is part of the Canterbury scene. In addition to his solo work, he has played in Hatfield and the North, National Health, and Matching Mole. He has released a number of solo albums, some with his group In Cahoots.
After the demise of National Health, he began preparing for a solo career that began with "Cutting Both Ways" (1987) and continues to this day. This was the first album released under his own name, and the first album to feature his band In Cahoots, who are pretty much of a supergroup themselves: Hugh Hopper - bass (Soft Machine), Elton Dean - saxes (Soft Machine), Peter Lemer - keyboards (Gilgamesh, Mike Oldfield, Pierre Moerlen's Gong) & Pip Pyle - drums (Gong, Hatfield, National Health)…

National Health (1978) [Reissue 2009]. Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of a new re-mastered edition of the classic 1978 debut album by National Health. Evolving from Canterbury stylists Hatfield & the North, National Health featured the talents of Dave Stewart on keyboards, Pip Pyle on drums and Phil Miller on guitar along with guests such as Jimmy Hastings. At various times the group also included such luminaries as Bill Bruford, Mont Campbell and Alan Gowen. Released by Affinity Records in February 1978, the album is a classic of the ‘Canterbury’ style and is sure to be a much sought after release by all aficionados of the genre…

Featuring some of the most stunning musicianship ever associated with England's Canterbury scene, Hatfield and the North's second LP features, like their eponymous debut, Dave Stewart on keyboards, Phil Miller on guitar, Richard Sinclair on bass and vocals, and Pip Pyle on drums (supplemented by a few guest instrumentalists and the ever-ethereal Northettes with their "la la" backing vocals). The participants show an admirable sense of restraint and, like their Canterbury peers, are careful to avoid the pomposity and bombast of better-known prog rockers of the era, such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes.

This box set is the ultimate pop collection, 43 albums featuring many of the biggest hits performed on the legendary pop music chart BBC TV programme Top of the Pops, which ran for a record shattering 42 years from January 1964 to July 2006! The show totalled an amazing 2205 episodes and at its peak attracted 15 million viewers per week! This complete set features a total of 875 tracks, including over 600 top ten hits and over 150 number one's!

Featuring some of the most stunning musicianship ever associated with England's Canterbury scene, Hatfield and the North's second LP features, like their eponymous debut, Dave Stewart on keyboards, Phil Miller on guitar, Richard Sinclair on bass and vocals, and Pip Pyle on drums (supplemented by a few guest instrumentalists and the ever-ethereal Northettes with their "la la" backing vocals). The participants show an admirable sense of restraint and, like their Canterbury peers, are careful to avoid the pomposity and bombast of better-known prog rockers of the era, such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer and Yes.