Artist description The Groove Merchants offically parted ways in 1998 after a strong 3-year run in the North Bay Area. During this time, We recorded in the studio several times. However, it was very first session on April 26 of 1997 (The 426 Session), that was one of those magic times when the band was at the peak of ambition, everyone was excited, and musically, everything just 'worked'. No later recording session ever captured the energy of the band like the 426 session did. Being our first 'real' studio session, We decided to produce a 'live' studio recording. This was not live with an audience, rather, the band was recorded straight through the mixing board to a 2 track DAT master tape. There were no overdubs and no 'mixdown' session. Although this left no opportunity for 'fixing' anything later, it did allow us to capture that raw magic energy that we often achieved in our live shows. This is most apparent in 'village' and 'Trash Collector' (My personal favorite). After reciently recovering the master 426 session tape, I have digitally re-mastered and edited the best tracks. I have decided to post them freely here at MP3.com not only because I truely love this music, but because it would be a shame to let it fall forever into the realm of musical obscurity. After all, it was damn good stuff! I hope you like it. -Andy Graham

Group Members Lee Howard - Bass/Vocals Nick Browning - Guitar Andy Graham - Drums Reed Combs - Congas / Percussion Camillo Olmos - Percussion

Instruments Guitar / Bass / Drums / World Percussion

Location Sebastopol, California - USA

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