If Paradise by Grand Union Orchestra

If Paradise was originally commissioned by the Eastern Orchestral Board and subsequently toured to over 20 venues across the whole of the UK.

It is deeply rooted in recent history, and on one level tells the story of a young Asian couple caught up in contemporary events. It has many other resonances, however, and interpretation is in the end up to the listener.

It is not religious, but aims to express the decency and humanity of people of all religions or none.

Above all, it seeks to bridge the culture of East and West, and the music is therefore based on the classical, folk and popular music of South Asia, combined with jazz and the rhythms of Africa.

Tracklist

1.	Song of the Song of Songs	7:36

2.	Departure Of The Queen Of Sheba	2:17

3.	The Notes of Perfume	10:51

4.	Paradise Awaits	5:19

5.	The Song of Separation	5:45

6.	Chaeridike Aj	6:08

7.	Collateral Damage	10:11

8.	The Perfumes of Paradise Blues	7:57

9.	The Radiance of a Thousand Suns	13:09

Credits

released October 2, 2011

Lucy Rahman (Bangladesh) voice
Davina Wright (Caribbean English) voice
Richard Scott (England) voice, tenor saxophone, flute
Akash Sultan (Bangladesh) voice
Baluji Shrivastav (India) sitar, dilruba, naal
Yousuf Ali Khan (Bangladesh) tabla, dholak
Shanti Paul Jayasinha (Sri Lanka/Scotland) trumpet, flugelhorn, cello
Claude Deppa (South Africa) trumpet, percussion
Kevin Robinson (England/Caribbean) trumpet, flugelhorn
Phil Todd (England) soprano/alto saxes, bass clarinet
Tony Kofi (Ghana) alto/baritone saxes
Louise Elliott (Australia) tenor saxophone, flute
Tim Smart (England) trombone, dijeridu
Ros Davies (Wales) trombone, flute
John Kenny (Scotland) bass trombone
Tony Haynes (England) trombone, piano
Gerry Hunt (England) guitar, soprano sax, clarinet
Andres Lafone (Uruguay) bass guitar
Brian Abrahams (South Africa) drums

This release is edited from a live recording made by the BBC in November 2003 at Leeds College of Music and subsequently broadcast on Radio 3.

Music by Tony Haynes.
Lyrics by Sara Clifford, Masud Ahamed, David Bradford and from traditional sources.
Mastered by Dave Hunt.
Released by RedGold Records.
Published by RedGold Music.
Graphic design by Isabel Bianchini.

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