Ken Hensley & Free Spirit News

Plans for the last quarter of 2002 and the first quarter of 2003 are finalised.

Ken's Upper Room Studio has been removed from St. Louis (USA) and is now crossing the Atlantic. Due in Barcelona (Spain) on September 12, for modification to European electricity, it will then be transported to the ranch on the Costa Blanca.

Prior to relocation, the Upper Room had developed into a world class studio and it will be the only facility of its kind in the region. The site has been chosen, and building will commence shortly and installation will begin no later than October 1.

So, there is considerable excitement as we look forward to converting inspiration to reality.

Various recording concepts have been discussed on the website and we are now able to confirm officially the following projects:

1. "BORN AGAIN" - appropriately named as this will be a compilation of Uriah Heep classics written by Ken Hensley and recorded by his current band, Free Spirit. Songs so far chosen are… "Paradise/The Spell", "The Magician's Birthday", "Sweet Freedom", "Weep In Silence" and "Wonderworld". The rest of the songs will be chosen from those submitted by you as your favourites.
****** A limited number of this album will be offered as a collectors' edition on blue vinyl 12" with a full colour signed sleeve ******

2. "OPRAMENKO" - the first Free Spirit collective studio recording - 15 completely new songs

3. "DECADENT DOZEN" - a collection of Ken's solo songs given the Free Spirit treatment

4. "MIXED MESSAGES" - by popular demand, this will be new recordings of Ken's ballads taken from his entire career

A reminder, therefore, that your favourite Heep classics are being compiled into a league table so that Ken can take your advice when finalising the chosen tracks for Born Again.
If you have not yet confirmed your favourites, please mail Rodrigo at rod@ken-hensley.com with your list of favourites, including your reasons. Deadline: August 31, so that we can begin the first project promptly.

Work on Born Again will start right after the September leg of the tour, specifically on October 15, so the CD can be released at the end of November. After that, Ken & Free Spirit will move straight into Opramenko, and so on. All recording will be finished and mastered before the end of March 2003, which is when they start touring again!

Album Covers - we will be running a competition for any designs that you may wish to submit. Any chosen designs will entitle the winners to high profile recognition on worldwide distribution, in addition to a framed signed copy of the first CD off the pressing plant, and to VIP tickets for 2 at a gig of your choice [including backstage passes]. If you want to contribute, please send your works also to Rodrigo at the same e-mail address above.

We also encourage everyone to send these news to magazines, newspapers, websites, fan clubs, etc., who might be interested in helping to spread the news! To make your job easier, we have a press release available for download here!

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