Emil remarked only the other day how "food of love" remains his favourite amongst his own recordings. Our mutual pride in this album is testament to a rare delight - that one's own music can still sound good several years later.

Melanthrich (1995), the Lotos (1997) and now the UK independent Symbol (2001), have all demonstrated great faith in supporting this album and I am delighted on behalf of the musicians that Symbol has made this recording available for the first time to listeners in the UK.

I am sure that we owe the lasting sound of the recording to the relaxed and musical atmosphere that prevailed on the two days we spent in the ex-Russuan broadcasting studios in Prague. On subsequent tours of the Czech Republic and at the Riverside (Hammersmith) with Petr Dvorsky on bass in Dec 1998, we have consistently experienced an underlying emotional homesty in this set of material. We share a common European experience of Jazz music and we are long-term friends.

Two material adjustments have been made to this album as it stood upon its release. Firstly, the inclusion of a short, wholly-improvised piece I've titled "The Meeting" and also the replacement of the first take with the second take of the short frenetic "The Chase" re-titled "Cut to...".

The track order is really just another attempt at what can never be solved... And I would also mention that "A thousand Ships" - originally conceived with my daughters' mother, Helen, in mind - is here dedicated to Bobby Wellins, a true friend and inspiration.

Finally I would like to thank (on behalf of David and myself) our perfect friend, Emil, and his wife Mila, who have offered us hospitality and generosity at every step of the way.

Julian Nicholas, August, 2001.