‘Drones’ (often heard in Indian Classical music) are occasionally employed against improvised solo sections instead of merely repeating the harmonies that accompany the melody in traditional forms of jazz. Thus, the bluesy theme of Brother and Sister appears between an Indian-esque solo section with a sitar-like guitar solo. The beautiful melody in Fantasia For Ayrton Senna displays tenderness, sadness and joy as a tribute to the late famous grand prix multi-world champion. There is fascinating free-style interplay between drums and guitar on Dark Tales (part I) where swing-jazz meets atonality. Out Back (part I) resonates with Australian-Aborigonie rhythms and harmony. The percussion moves to the fore in Out Back (Part II) where some imaginative sound-scapes are created. Cruise Control is a fusion of a Spanish-Jazz-rock and descends into a 1970’s rock-shuffle rhythm against some strident alternative harmony (where Bartok almost meets Ravel’s Bolero). Rob Hermans (jnr.) sensitively reads the poem ‘I found a shell’ written by his late father Robert Hermans accompanied with some deeply resounding modal harmonies created by Dale Harris on his electric midi-guitar.

This is a fascinating original collection of music by some of the finest creative contempory musicians in the field today.

A Personal Note From Dale Harris & Jez Henderson

We are indebted to all the team who contributed to the making of this recording. Thanks goes to Mark Hawkes for his patience, professionalism and Earl Grey tea, Caroline Nemorin for her performance, Rob Hermans who brushed up on his Dutch accent and articulation creating a wonderful atmosphere, Sam Morgan Moore for his brilliant photography (www.sammorganmoore.com).

The origins of this album commenced circa 1994 in Jez Henderson’s dining room where, much to the distain of his housemates, his drum kit sat unswerving in the center of the room. The majority of the compositions here went through numerous transformations before finally captured in this recording.

The concept for many of the compositions on this album is rooted in tragedy. The Brazilian Grand Prix driver Ayrton Senna crashed and died during the 1994 San Marino race. Although the world has lost a truly remarkable sportsman his memory lives on in charitable foundations and Grand Prix circuits of which there are numerous corners and chicanes named in memory of him. Moreover, the poetry that is featured in I Found A Shell is in memory of Robert Hermans (snr.) and we dedicate this track to his widow Marlene and her son Rob. These memories are synonymous with Dark Tales.

Further information on Dale Harris and Jez Henderson can be found on the internet at www.dale-harris.co.uk. A downloadable version of Dark Tales can be found at the iTunes internet store and other on-line outlets. Sign up to the Dale Harris mailing list at www.myspace.com/dale_harris. Find other cd’s by Dale Harris at www.cdbaby.com and www.guitarcds.net.

DH & JH London, Oct-23-2007   

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