After saxophonist Alan Barnes recorded Miles Music's first LP 'Straight Eight', in a quintet alongside the established Tommy Whittle, the second LP on the label gave Alan the opportunity to lead his own quartet with Dave Newton on piano, Paul Morgan on bass and Mark Taylor on drums. The result was the excellent 'Affiliation', which is now released on CD and digitally for the first time.

All four of these musicians are still very much on the scene, so this re-mastering of the LP for CD release is a fascinating insight into the playing of their younger selves thirty-eight years ago. The confidence of their approach and the quality of the interaction between them is a testament to their talent and co-operative spirit, and a tribute to the good judgement of John Miles, who with his co-producer Bruce Talbot, brought these four fine young players into the studio.

John Miles is sadly no longer with us, but Miles Music continues to honour his founding notion for the label of providing a platform to internationally under appreciated UK jazz musicians he felt deserved the widest possible audience.