Halfway Dreaming:Anthology 1969-75
• Evolving from the line-up that had recorded the highly-regarded Ora LP in 1969, Byzantium recorded two early Seventies albums – ‘Byzantium’ and ‘Seasons Changing’, both featuring future Ian Dury MD Chaz Jankel – for the A&M; label. • After leaving A&M,; the band self-financed the 1974 ‘Live/Studio’ album in an effort to attract new representation before splitting the following year. • Although they received relatively little attention from the music industry at the time, Byzantium’s progressive rock-based combination of musical eclecticism, strong harmonies and timeless song writing have belatedly attracted an audience, with collectors now paying significant sums to acquire original vinyl pressings of their recordings. • Assembled with the help and approval of the band, Halfway Dreaming: Anthology 1969-75 is the first-ever Byzantium compilation. It includes all three albums that were released at the time, together with a further set of 1974/75-era live material, various studio out-takes and, as a considerable bonus, an extended version of the Ora album. • Housed in a stylish clamshell box, this essential 5-CD package features a lavish 32-page booklet containing a new 4000 word essay on the band and numerous previously unpublished photos. It’s the definitive document of a band who fell through the cracks at the time but have subsequently come to be regarded by many as an integral part of the early Seventies British underground scene.