Amancio D'Silva - Konkan Dance (1974) [Remastered 2006]

In February 2006 Vocalion, home to the prestigious British jazz/progressive music re-issue series: the 'CDSML' imprint, proudly presents on CDSML 8420 the first ever release of guitar genius Amancio D'Silva's beautiful 1974 album Konkan Dance.

Goan-born D'Silva arrived in the UK in 1967 and soon afterwards came to the attention of producer Denis Preston, who earlier in the same decade had helped establish the now legendary 'Lansdowne Series' of recordings. Preston immediately recognised the young D'Silva's brilliant musical gifts and the exciting recording opportunities offered by teaming him with the leading lights in British jazz; many of whom were already working as sidemen or leaders for Preston's Record Supervison company. During the late 1960s and into the mid '70s D'Silva recorded five LPs as a leader for Record Supervison, all under Preston's aegis, which saw him play alongside such legends as Joe Harriott, Stan Tracey and Don Rendell. D'Silva’s first four LPs were issued on EMI Columbia, licensed to the company by Preston. However, D'Silva's fifth and final album for Record Supervision, and arguably the best – Konkan Dance – was for unknown reasons neveR issued. Thirty-six years after its creation! this album sounds as contemporary, fresh and magical as the day it was recorded. Its exclusive licensing on CD to Vocalion by the Amancio D'Silva Estate at last enables the world to hear some of the most beguiling examples of D'Silva's blend of jazz, rock and Indian music.

The range of styles on Konkan Dance is united by one factor – D'Silva's sensibilities as an Indian musician – and he has achieved an almost perfect synthesis between jazz, rock and the music of his homeland.