Download Inventing Stars sampler EP here!
The pArAdOx OnE project started in the year 2000 when Phil Jackson released 'Reality Quake' on Neurosis Records. Phil had previously played in a progressive rock band in Dundee in the mid 70s so his musical rebirth took 25 years! 'Reality Quake' was described by 'European Progressive Rock Reviews' as 'a major album of 2000' and got many positive reviews such as in 'Progression' which described it as 'among the best of contemporary electronic music, rewards repeated listenings'. Comparisons with ELP, Tomita and Tangerine Dream's 'Phaedra' were cited in reviews (e.g. in 'Wondrous Stories'). It also attracted radio airplay with Maurici Ribera from Trilogy Rock in Spain discussing the album with Neurosis Records' Rick Ray and Jesus Diaz e-mailing to say that the track that is an arrangement of one of Schumann's works' ('Kinderscenen') continues to be played on Eufonia. This track also featured recently in the 'Best of Alchemical Radio', a radio station run by Tim Jones and Terri B whom some of you may remember from their Stone Premonitions days. Ed Macan, multi-instrumentalist leader of Hermetic Science and author of 'Endless Enigma', the latest book about E.L.P. said that 'Urbmon 116' a 4 part suite based upon Robert Silverberg's thought provoking sci-fi novel 'The Tower Inside', was 'the finest new electronic music track I've heard in a very long time.' Another 6 part piece' Crompton Divided' was inspired by the Robert Sheckley book of the same name.An article called 'Music From Both Sides of the Fence' (Phil is a reviewer as well as musician) appeared in 'Get Rhythm' magazine and at that time Phil was working on his second CD which came out under a different name to that suggested in the article- 'Dimensions of Miracles', the name of another Sheckley book (There is a 'sub-station' on Phil's Paradox One website dedicated to the works of Sheckely, who sadly departed this Earth in 2006).'Dimension of Miracles' was a more ambitious album than 'Reality Quake' and its length broke the artist's rule about 40 minutes being the ideal length for an album. 'No Warning' said 'Musically Paradox one is situated half way between Keith Emerson and Krautrock with lots of spacey themes that evoke Hawkwind and 'Zeitgeist' e-zine said it was 'a mandatory release for those who cherish their spacey ambient electro'. Stuart Hamilton, head honcho of Zeitgeist also became the 'head honcho' of Phil's emerging website and has continues to be a supporter with Phil writing the occasional review of music for Zeitgeist! Stuart commented that it was ironic that Phil's CD had travelled round the world (from Angus, Scotland to Ohio, home of Neurosis Records then back to Edinburgh)! 'European Progressive Rock Reviews' also enjoyed the follow-up to 'Reality Quake' giving it an 85% rating (5% down on its predecessor!) and describing it as 'an important album of 2002'. Another positive review came from Jerry Kranitz whose excellent radio shows on 'Aural Innovations' no space rock enthusiast should miss. 'Space rock fans who have a taste for keyboard dominated progressive rock will find much to enjoy on this album', said Jerry. The most extensive analysis of the album came from New York musician and record producer Robert Urban and this is reprinted in Phil's website. (Phil was quite overwhelmed when he read what Robert had to say) Again there was good support from internet radio with Rick Ray e-mailing Phil to say he heard when driving home from work what sounded like the whole album being played on the Mark Doremus show (WCSB, Ohio) and the album was the subject of a discussion on air between Rick Ray and Mark. Also, 'Pushing the Envelope', a Connecticut station played the title track. The music was also being played in Holland by Mark C Deren. In fact the curious thing is that, apart from being played all around the world, just about every track from 'Dimension of Miracles' got some airplay somewhere!It took another two years for another pArAdOx OnE album to arrive and the use of created analogue synth sounds and the uncompromisingly electronic approach on parts of the album divided reviewers. The 5 piece 17:40 title track 'Escalators to Mars' in particular brought mixed reactions although Neurosis Records' Rick Ray (always constructive in his criticism despite his vested interest!) enthused about 'Son of Little Green Men' (An opinion shared apparently by Lord Litter who played the track on his Cyber Storm radio show and by Aural Innovations) In fact 3 of the 5 parts got radio play and Tony Currie of BBC Radio Scotland even played an 'Escalators to Mars' outtake 'Sign of Life' (Still not officially released) on Radio Six International. Better was to come as 'Wake Up Call', Phil's first composition on 12 string guitar featured on the Radio Six playlist for 9 weeks. Gary Foster also played the track on his 'Eternal Fusion' and would also become a supporter of Phil's music. 'Escalators to Mars' also featured a three part suite 'Angel Song in Neon' dedicated to Phil's Mum and parts of this attracted radio exposure from the likes of Alchemical radio and Aural Innovations. The most bizarre episode surrounding the album was part of 'Angel Song in Neon' reaching #2 in the New Artist Radio chart. It was actually the wrong extract that was sent (and the music must have made little sense to the radio show presenter obliged to play it prompting one of them to say 'What the heck was that? Apparently his female counterpart's reply was 'I quite like it!')As far as the reviewers are concerned Phil would, I'm sure. prefer to take Vitaly Menshikov's ***** review in 'Progressor' and the 'out of this world' comment on the newly established 'Astro Zombie' website. Most heartening was the comment of fan Kathy Bernstein who described it as 'truly wonderful' with pArAdOx OnE proving once again the amazing ability of music to transport people back in time!The fourth pArAdOx OnE album 'Alternative Reality' was released in November, 2004 and, again, most of the tracks got radio play somewhere in the world. As with most of the music, it was firmly rooted in an inspirational concept. The composer Schumann, a fascination of Phil's is an omnipresent figure as are the sci-fi stories of Bob Sheckley. Added to this was the Sebastian Faulks' novel 'Birdsong' which Phil had recently read and found deeply moving. In fact it inspired 4 of the 10 tracks on the album and provided a name for the other ('Lisette', an acoustic guitar instrumental that attracted a positive response that delighted Phil given that it was a re-working of something he had recorded many years before). Garry Lee at 'Freedom Overflow' played 'Adrenaline Rush' 4 weeks in a row and music from the album appeared on SKY 913/ Radio Seagull, a prospect that greatly excited Phil but which unfortunately he never heard for himself. The album was also a 'Freedom Overflow' Record of the Month. Phil was particularly taken by the Jack Firebrace character in 'Birdsong' and actually composed an 'Ode to Jack Firebrace' that was never quite completed. Radio play of the album extended to DJ Don Campau on his 'No Pigeonholes' show broadcast to the San Francisco/ Monterey Bay Area and 'Space Race' was played on 'Gagliarchives' (New Jersey) and on 'Electronic Cottage' radio.This brings us more or less up to the 5th album entitled 'Inventing Stars' (being sent to reviewers, fans and radio stations as this is written) and is a far from complete history. The reader will need to visit the Paradox One website for that.One significant thing to mention before closing that Phil is especially proud to be connected with are his selection of tracks and overseeing of the 10th anniversary 2CD compilation of Stone Premonitions music (Now sadly no more) and his co-ordination (and contribution to, as Pandemonium Seesaw) 'The Moon Orion Project' featuring various artists' interpretations of two great Terri B/ Tim Jones compositions. It should be noted that Radio Scotland DJ John Cavanagh played 'The Moon Orion Project' in its entirety on one of his shows.As far as 'Inventing Stars' is concerned this is the first pArAdOx OnE CD on which other musicians have contributed and Phil reckons it's his best yet. He is also excited about the launch of '7 Recordings' to oversee distribution of the CD in the UK and Europe in particular and the prospect of eventually releasing recordings by other artists who are into eclectic, challenging yet accessible music combining the best of the past, present and future.
