National Health.

No, not what you think. National Health was one of the most interesting, but lesser-known bands from the 1970s British progressive rock scene. They played some of the most intricate and engaging music ever attempted by a rock group (says record label Northside). Largely instrumental, the music is characterized by shifting time signatures and virtuoso playing, yet it somehow remains accessible. Mind you, if you're a BoyGroup or Roland Kaiser fanatic, then probably not.

Over its history, band members included:

• Bill Bruford Percussionist. Original drummer of Yes,
• longtime drummer for King Crimson.
• Mont Campbell Bassist (also French horn).
• Alan Gowen Keyboardist and founder.
• John Greaves Bassist and vocalist. Formerly with Henry Cow.
• Steve Hillage Guitarist. Formerly with Gong,
• now a record producer.
• Phil Lee Guitarist.
• Phil Miller Guitarist.
• Neil Murray Bassist. Replaced Mont Campbell
• and appeared on the first album.
• Amanda Parsons Vocalist. Amanda was one of the
• "Northettes," a trio of female singers who supplemented
• the lineup of Hatfield and the North.
• Pip Pyle Percussionist.
• Dave Stewart Keyboardist and founder.

Dave Stewart, over the years, played in a lot of bands and projects, such as Egg, Arzachel, Khan, Hatfield and the North, National Health, Bruford and Rapid Eye Movement. Here's a biography, and here the website of Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin, who (amongst others) are responsible for the most amazing version of What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted I have ever heard. Here's a list of their collaborations, I recommend you explore D&B's site and links.
Digging the net, one finds arcane places dealing with all this Canterbury stuff. Here's Calyx, a website dedicated to the Canterbury Scene. Here is The Canterbury Homepage (which claims there'd be a new Hatfield & The North record out in Jan 2005 - anyone??). Next is the Music Resource Page, and if you haven't enough already, go google for HATN.

Finally - for what it's worth - here's a link to a "Top 25 Albums of All Time" list compiled by Exposé writers. Some interesting stuff there, though I must admit I haven't heard of any of them Exposé writers nor am I aware of what it is they write about. Needless to say, many of those records have their place in my vinyl collection, so if you provide the island, I''ll bring the music. See you then.