The periode 1965 to 1970 was a very exciting time in British Jazz. The possibilities for change and development in the music wich Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman had opened up a few years earlier were a liberating factor for many young British musicians. Additionally, and crucially, when, in 1966, Ronnie Scaott offered the remaining 18 months of the lease on his original club in Soho for young musicians to programme as we wished, the opportunity to experiment with new ideas, new compositions and changing personnel was seized upon. Players and bandleaders such as John Surman, Dave Holland, John Mclaughlin, John Taylor, Kenny Wheeler, Mike Gibbs, Chris McGregor, Mike Westbrook, myself and numerous others were able to present their work to a sympathetic audience on a regular basis. The Old Place, as it was know, was also a great place to hang out, a crucial factor in any developing scene. (This and other developments in British Jazz are well documented in John Wickes' book, UK)

The fact that we were able to tour regulary (colleges and local arts associations having a more liberal policy than they do now) gave our music exposure outside London. Surprisingly, also, we were often recorded on a major labels and received acclaim publicity not only in the jazz press but also nationally. With very few exceptions this set of circunstances is unavailable to today's young jazz musicians.

Almost all of the musicians from the various bands I led in this period are still active in jazz, but of course the scene is a very different. I would like to thank them -again- for their stirling efforts in permorming my music and making these recordings as durable as they have proved to be. At this stage my career it is heartening that the music I and many of my then contemporaries made in that vibrant period is now being rereleased to new audiences.

Graham Collier, Ronda, Spain, 1999