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Catalogue number

FORCECD001

Release date

05/08/2002

Format

CD

Label

Collective Force

Martin Stephenson

Collective Force

First conceived in September 2001 around the time of of Martin's first steps back into the limelight with a session for the Janice Long's Radio 2 Show, Collective Force sees him returning to record with a full band for the first time in many years. The album is mostly recorded at Pete Rawson's Redwood Studios in the Highlands and Pete's generosity meant that Martin could work without the usual financial and time restraints he was used to in the past. Also, many of Martin's friends, some of them Scotland's finest musicians, were happy to get involved with the project. incorporating the talents of collaborators old and new. For a week in November 2001, the recordings moved to the opposite end of the UK resulting in the 'Sussex Sessions'. Engineered by Rob Quickenden (aka Backini), these sessions resulted in key contributions from ace session man B.J. Cole (ex-Verve), cajun and western swing fiddler Bobby Valentino (ex-Hank Wangford), Peter Coyle (ex-Lotus Eaters) and Sussex based gospel choir Brighton Goes Gospel Unplugged. The result of all this is an album of sunny, spiritually happy sounds, musically as varied as usual and successfully fusing Martin's style and the traditional types of music that inspire him. Press and media activity has already started and the response is looking very positive with sessions already recorded for Tom Morton's Radio Scotland show and Gideon Coe's Radio 6 Show. Janice Long has played the demo version of the forthcoming single 'Orange Is The Colour Of Joy' no less than FIVE times on her Radio 2 programme - the response was phenomenal. Keen interest has also been expressed from Bob Harris, Mike Harding, Johnny Walker, Terry Wogan and Liz and Andy Kershaw. Ashowcase / Launch gig is scheduled for 5th August at the 12 Bar London

Martin's debut album was 'Boat To Bolivia' in 1985 with his band the Daintees, it received critical acclaim immediately and supported by their regular tours the band gained a reputation as a top notch live act. After 3 more albums Martin felt disenchanted with major label politics and sought to distance himself from the business, he released a further 3 albums before retreating to his remote base in the Scottish Highlands, where armed with a number of guitars, a P.O. Box address and a website he released a whole stream of low-key albums, sold only to his loyal followers.