As usual with Hanson´s books, this is a meticulously researched history of The Nice, one of the most important early British Prog bands, sadly often underappreciated. Based on interviews with band members Lee Jackson, Brian Davison and Davy O´List (Keith Emerson refused to cooperate), the author tells the fascinating story of the band, their rise to stardom and the eminent downfall. Full of anecdotes, behind the scenes info about the music scene in the late 1960s and the Music Industry at the time, this is a great read, as well as being highly informative.

As usual with Hanson´s books, this is a meticulously researched history of The Groundhogs, one of the most important British Blues and Blues-Rock bands, sadly often underappreciated. Based on interviews with the band´s founder and leader, guitarist / singer / songwriter Tony McPhee, and other members of the band, the author tells the fascinating story of their career spanning from the mid-1960s through the 1980s. Richly illustrated by many photographs, posters, etc. this book is a great example of how a biography of a band should be presented. Full of facts, stories and anecdotes, this is a most enjoyable read.

I had the immense pleasure of writing the foreword to this book as well as adding a few details from my memory banks and a few reviews of Jon Hiseman´s albums – a sort of "thank you" note to Jon, who made my life happier and more interesting with his music. Jon´s contribution to the revolutionary British Jazz and Progressive Rock is vast and invaluable, and this great book tells, for the first time and in great detail, how and why things happened the way they did over the years. It presents an amazing story of Jon´s life as a musician, full of facts and anecdotes, successes and failures, which together produce a fascinating read. But it also is much more than just one man´s history – it is a history of the entire British musical scene during some of its most glorious years. The book is an absolute must to anybody interested in Prog, British Jazz and music history in general and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

Anybody interested in reading my foreword can do so in the "Writings" section on this site.

A listing of Rock musicians with short biographies and discographies. Very comprehensive.

A very interesting and unique attempt to analyze Rock Music and especially the lyrics of the songs in a philosophical / social context of the era. Very interesting insights and a great reading!

An overview of Jazz by a respected critic Mzx Harrison, which is quite different from most similar attempts.

A list of 200 essential Jazz recordings selected by five British Jazz critics.

This is a monumetal catalog published for the exhibition about Jazz history at the International Music Institute in Darmstadt, Germany. 800 pages of text, great photography and artwork, weighting 10 kilos or so.

Fascinating autobiography by one of the greatest British Jazz / Jazz-Rock Fusion musician. Saddly Dick passed away, but this memories are also very personal to me, as I witnessed many of stories mentioned there.

Although a lot of articles and essays have been written over the years about Krzysztof Komeda, the Godfather of Polish Jazz and the musical Genius, this is the first attempt to write an extensive biography of Komeda the man, rather than write about his music. Meticulously researched, the book presents the story of Komeda´s life, in chronological order, accompanied by many photographs, documents and interviews of people, who were close to him. There is also a list of all the films for which Komeda composed soundtracks, his discography and other collections of facts. Overall the book serves its purpose well and is an enjoyable as well as an educational read.

A very interesting attempt to present a historical overview of the Psychedelic Era, with beautiful photographs and reproductions of Psychedelic Art. Definitely worth having!

Great biography by a great writer, with in-depth analysis of the music and detailed discography.

Great book about Jazz by one of the best writers on the subject. Based on his articles and interviews published in many American newspapers.

Nat Hentoff is one of the best writers about Jazz and this is a classic book on the subject, with deep insight and understanding of the music.

4th volume of a Jazz encyclopedia issued in France by the French "Jazz Hot" magazine. As the title suggests, this volume tells the story of Bebop.

A fascinating account of the bootleg phenomenon and industry and a must reading for every record collector and record company executive. Very witty and well written.

A brilliant book by the first great European Jazz critic / writer, French Andre Hodeir. Hodeir´s deep knowledge and love of the subject are obvious and his intellectual abilities are astounding.

Highly intelligent, provocative and imaginative book about Jazz and Jazz musicians. French writer Andre Hodeir is a legend in the field.

Brilliant Jazz wirter / composer / arranger Andre Hodeir delivers another great book on the subject with visionary insight and highly intellectual analysis.

A short but well written biography of the Jazz giant written by British writer / record producer Raymond Horricks.

A short but well written biography of the Jazz giant written by British writer / record producer Raymond Horricks.

A short but well written biography of the Jazz giant written by British writer / record producer Raymond Horricks.