The Grand Union Orchestra’s repertoire is drawn largely from a series of themed shows, with usic by Tony Haynes, that we have toured since 1984. We have released 10 albums since our 1986 debut, The Song Of Many Tongues; many of the recordings are based on live broadcasts on BBC Radio 3, remixed and mastered for CD.

 

The Song Of Many Tongues

RedGold Records, 1986

Our critically-acclaimed debut album, featuring musicians from Ghana, South Africa, Chile, Trinidad and the USA, together with musicians from the British Isles.

The music, written by Grand Union’s composer/director Tony Haynes, belongs within the generous spirit and tradition of jazz, celebrating the richness and diversity of musical and other cultures which make up multicultural Britain.

  1. I Live In The City

  2. By The Waters Of Babylon

  3. Guinea Corn

  4. Dolce Catalunya

  5. Ballad of William L. Moore

  6. Hymn for the Homelands

  7. Spidertown

  8. Love That Day

 

FREEDOM CALLS

RedGold Records, 1989

Set to lyrics by writers from Jamaica, South Africa and Chile, Freedom Calls is about the struggle for liberty in different parts of the world, throughout history, with particular reference to South Africa under apartheid.

The Grand Union Orchestra brings a broad sweep of international talents together in one band. There are musicians from every continent playing a wide variety of instruments, some exotic, some familiar.

  1. Ça Ira

  2. Worksong

  3. Thank God I'm Free

  4. Santiago De Chile

  5. Song Somewhere Near Roma

  6. Santiago Continued

  7. Can't Chain Up Me Mind

  8. Silence Is Consent

  9. Freedom Calls

  10. No More Apartheid!

 

The Rhythm Of Tides

RedGold Records, 1997

A musical adventure “through seas never navigated before”, inspired by the epic poetry of sixteenth century Portuguese writer Luís de Camões.

The music is almost symphonic, with melodic phrases, rhythm patterns, musical textures, and harmonic sequences resurfacing and developing through the album.

Featuring extraordinary musicians from Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, and Portugal alongside the regular Grand Union Orchestra members from the UK, China, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Australia, and St Lucia.

  1. Fado Mudança Da Maré

  2. Cano

  3. A Trova Lusiada

  4. O Céu, A Terra

  5. Rivermouth

  6. Rag Mumbai

  7. Depois O Bosque Se Fez Barco

  8. As Colunas De Madrugada

  9. A Country Conscript

  10. Song Of Reconciliation

  11. Music At Last

 

Now Comes The Dragon’s Hour

RedGold Records, 2002

  1. Whisper Me Wish

  2. Mirage

  3. Invocation

  4. Notun Desh, Notun Jiban

  5. Sujala Sufala

  6. Rimjhimamim

  7. The Flame Of Love

  8. Notun Jiban Ekti Notun Desh

  9. Nadir Srote Ektaratir

  10. When We Left / The Song Of Displacement

  11. The Bird Of Heavenly Bells

  12. The Quest Of The Dragoness

  13. A New Dawn Break

  14. Now Comes The Dragon's Hour

 

Undream’d Shores

RedGold Records, 2015

  1. A Thousand Thousand Journeys

  2. Eleggua Chant

  3. I Live In The City

  4. Rag Kafi, Pt. 1

  5. Rag Kafi, Pt. 2

  6. The Four-Loom Weaver

  7. Riding The Iron Tiger

  8. The Great Sea

  9. The Iron Tiger Sharpens Up

  10. A Basin Of Riches

  11. Yémanjá / Song Of The Fishermen

  12. Jémanjá Instrumental

  13. Mister Never-Smile

  14. This Strange Land

  15. By The Waters Of Babylon

  16. Babylon Revisited

  17. Deep in The Delta

  18. Red Soil

  19. If You Should Fall

  20. Salsa Eleggua

 

If Paradise

RedGold Records, 2011

  1. Song of the Song of Songs

  2. Instrumental Interlude

  3. The Notes of Perfume

  4. Paradise Awaits

  5. The Song of Separation

  6. Chaeridike Aj

  7. Collateral Damage

  8. The Perfumes of Paradise Blues

  9. The Radiance of a Thousand Suns

 

Around the world in 80 minutes

  1. New Day

  2. Kwela

  3. Mexe Mexe

  4. Verdianinha

  5. Piri Piri

  6. Ibrahim Balde

  7. Bamba Bodjan

  8. Baya Hamba

  9. African Market Place

  10. Halay

  11. Yemen

  12. Yagmar Yagar

  13. Nagin Been

  14. Pani Hari

  15. The Great Ambush

  16. Cachapari

  17. Tamia

  18. Ciao Baby Samba

  19. Feelin' Nice

  20. Ol' Lady