Hatfield and the North, new compilation

We are pleased to announce the release of Hattitude, the second volume of archive recordings by 1970s experimental UK rock legends Hatfield and the North. The CD archive series was given extra momentum by the discovery of a large collection of previously unheard live tapes, the highlights of which have been personally compiled by the Hatfield musicians. As on the highly popular Hatwise Choice (released in January 2005), the recordings are a mixture of live and studio tracks (including extracts from the band's radio sessions) and feature some hitherto unrecorded compositions.

Perhaps the best-loved of the so-called 'Canterbury' bands, Hatfield's music was a unique blend of its four members' ideas and compositions. Hattitude reflects this rich diversity, combining the dreamy lyrical songs of Richard Sinclair, Phil Miller's intricate jazz-tinged melodies, Dave Stewart's complex instrumentals and the free-flowing compositions of Pip Pyle, which include a touching autobiographical song. The written passages are punctuated with extended improvisations in which the band cut loose in a way they never quite managed to do on their 1970s studio albums.

Hattitude gives a rare insight into the band's live performances at a time of rapid musical development, charting their evolution from early gigs (including a notable concert recorded in the swirly psychedelic acoustics of Amsterdam's Paradiso club) through to the more sophisticated arrangements of 1975. En route there are moments of surreal humour and instrumental virtuosity, coupled with instances of sheer sonic savagery which reveal the extent of the madness in Hatfield's method. Virtually all the material is from first generation audio sources which have been digitally restored, ensuring good sound quality throughout.

The CD comes in a full colour Digipak with a 20-page booklet containing archive photos and period artwork. The band history initiated in Hatwise Choice continues with the four musicians recounting behind-the-scenes events, road stories, musical reflections and descriptions of recording their debut album in Oxfordshire's Manor Studios. These personal memoirs provide a detailed chronicle of the events of 1973, a 'year in the life' of a young, talented and exciting British band.

Sadly, the CD follows the recent untimely death of the band's drummer and founder member Pip Pyle, who died in Paris on August 28th 2006. Keyboardist Dave Stewart says: "We are devastated by losing Pip - he was our dear friend, a brilliant drummer and an immensely creative lifelong colleague who I regarded as the driving force of Hatfield. He did a great job compiling the material for our archive CD's and was very keen that we should continue the series, so we are dedicating Hattitude (which contains moments of Pip at his best) to him. The music scene will be a duller place without Pip, but his memory and music will live on."

Hattitude is performed by the classic Hatfield line-up of Phil Miller (guitar), Pip Pyle (drums), Richard Sinclair (bass / vocals) and Dave Stewart (keyboards / tone generators).

The CD ships on December 6th 2006 and can be ordered now from Burning Shed's online CD store at www.burningshed.com.