'Out of the Shadows' is the first creative collaboration between Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent since 'Odessey & Oracle' in 1967. An album of 10 songs, sung by Colin and written by Rod (with the exception of two; 'A Girl Like That' is a co-write with Russ Ballard, the first time this has occured in spite of Rod's long connection with Russ - and 'Only The Rain', Rod's setting to music of a poem by Mark, his son), the album came about after a chance meeting in performance a couple of years ago.

Rod had agreed to perform a charity show for John Dankworth & Cleo Laine to raise money for their new theatre. The evening consisted of three parts..a selection of solo classical pieces, one with a string quartet; a jazz set where Rod performed some Duke Ellington and Miles Davis stuff with a trio and lastly, a set by Argent, reformed for the occasion, with all the original members. During the Argent set, Rod, who knew that Colin was in the audience, invited him on the spur of the moment to get up and sing 'She's Not There' and 'Time of the Season' with the band. He did so, and the two enjoyed the experience so much, that they decided to take the renewed association further.

As soon as they started work in the studio, it felt as fresh and natural as if they had recorded their last track a couple of weeks previously, and the genesis of 'Out of the Shadows' was formed. The result is one that both are extremely happy with (click here to read customer reviews, or buy).

Live work resulted in a similar experience. The two formed a great band around them: Jim Rodford on bass (original member of Argent and sometime Kinks and Animals member), Mark Johns on guitar (recorded with Jeff Beck, Sting & Tina Turner) and Steve Rodford, a fine young drummer. Again, the first rehearsals and gigs felt so easy and natural that the pair felt really enthused with the result; a creative path had once again opened up for the combination that had worked so successfully in the late '60's.

'Out of the Shadows' was released April 2nd 2001. Rod and Colin performed on the UK show 'Later, with Jools Holland' on April 27th. To see live webcam interviews with Rod & Colin taken from the show, click here.

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