In memory of Nick Page.

Nick Page was a very special man, and not just because he was a
remarkable musician. He was kind, thoughtful and generous, and
built up a loyal gang of friends, many of whom joined him on his
different musical projects. He cared about them all enormously, was
constantly checking up on them, asking how they were doing,
advising them on their careers, and dealing with their problems,
despite any problems he might have had himself.
Those same qualities made him a great producer. He was not just a great technician, who loved being in the studio, but he
had a great sense of empathy. He understood artists and their insecurities, won their trust and encouraged them to give their
best possible performances. And as for his own music – well, he had impressively eclectic taste and he led or played with an
impressive variety of bands. I’ve never seen him happier than when he was playing with his cousin Jimi in Xáos at WOMAD,
or the night when he played with both Transglobal Underground and Dub Colossus on a memorable double bill in Islington.
He’s still missed, massively, by all those who knew him and listened to his work. And this new track is a powerful and
emotional tribute from some of his close musical friends, including Ben Somers and Toby Mills. It features Nick himself
playing guitar. He would have loved it. - Robin Denselow


I was a little apprehensive when Nick’s wife Cristina asked me if I would consider writing a new piece of music to mark the
anniversary of his passing. I hadn’t written any new music for a little while, and it felt like a big responsibility. I also wasn’t
sure I’d be able to get it finished in time while trying to finish the Dub Colossus album that we’d started before he left us. Is
big problem….
’Is big problem’ is a phrase Nick often used. It’s easy to imagine his voice saying it, and it brings memories flooding back.
Usually heard when discussing politics or history, or the state of the music industry, and accompanied by nods of agreement.
But Nick was an optimist, and ever hopeful that someone would find a way to solve these big problems. ‘There’s a change
coming, I can feel it’ was often the conclusion of these discussions.
It has proved quite cathartic to get back into the process of making new music. I’m very lucky that I can call on great
musicians to contribute their skills and creativity. As is often the case, each piece changes course many times, and this was
no different. As each contribution comes in, it reshapes the music and takes it in an unexpected direction. I love that part of
the process.
I started with a bass line and some percussion and when drummer Will got in touch seeing if I fancied a jam at my studio I
took the opportunity to make a proper start. I tried to keep Nick in mind with every change, and I found a couple of guitar
parts he’d recorded for me for other songs that happened to be in the right key. Long time collaborator Ben Somers
surprised me by sending some yodelling alongside the brass parts, closely followed up with other vocal parts that I’m pretty
sure Nick would have loved. When Rob sent me some backwards guitar it all started to make sense. - Toby Mills


Nick was one of the most annoying, fairest, bolshie, loyal and integrity led musicians I've ever known. He worked hard to
make sure that everyone who took part in his musical endeavours got the credit he thought they deserved. He was a true
'lifer' when it came to music, I was introduced to that term by Nick and was glad he had used it to induct me into the club.
When Toby asked me to be part of this piece, he caught me in the middle of my deep dive into 'Overtone Singing' or 'Throat
Singing', it felt completely legitimate to include this and a little yodelling on here as Nick, for some reason, was always
encouraging me to yodel. I remember him getting me up on stage to do it at one of his birthdays, much to everyone
else's utter disgust. It was HIS birthday so how could I say no? He spent the whole tune absolutely pissing himself behind
me. I'm so glad to have gotten to spend so much time on the road and making music with him. He is sorely missed.
-
Ben Somers