The Project
The First Conception is - in this case - the name of a
music project co-founded by Thomas Conway (acoustic guitar, composition) and
Rogerio Ferreira (drums, percussion, glockenspiel, composition) who play free
style instrumental music mostly but also early music, folk, easy listening,
world music, as well as making jazz, blues and traditional European folk
arrangements.
Jaki Alden (flute, mandolin, clarinet, violin and
woodwind) has recorded two albums with the project and joins in when possible for gigs. Other musicians are
invited as necessary.
The Name
After considering the name First Concept, the name
First Conception was chosen as more consistent with the project’s philosophy.
As there was a website with that name about pregnancy, the project’s name was
changed to The First Conception in this way changing the meaning with regard to
the initial philosophy, which was conceiving music in harmony with the universe
but not the first project to do so. Although the new name somewhat drifts off
the essence of the project’s philosophy, its music is still inspired by the
first conception of life, which made all this
possible.
The History
The First Conception came to life in March 2008 as a
duo live act playing an acoustic set at The Steam Packet, Norwich, Tom Conway’s
home town, after a few months spent on rehearsals.
Tom and Rogerio met in April 2007 at a TEFL course for
teachers in the UK. A year later, they recorded one of their rehearsals, later
mastered and self-released as an album entitled We Are Born. Three months
later, they recorded their first official session, which became their second
album, Inscape.
Jaki Alden joined in for the recording of some tracks
on two of the albums (Inscape and Riddle of Existence) and tagged along for
some gigs. As a trio, TFC performed an acoustic set for the first time at the
Cider Shed, Norwich, in May 2009.
Tom and Rogerio recorded a jazz jam session as a
quartet with guest musicians Russell Young on piano and Julian Revell on
saxophone. Its full version will be made available as an Extended Play Compact
Disc entitled Off the Record. An edited version of it has been included in the
new edition of The Jazz Matter.
The Music
Five sessions, excluding Off the Record, have been
recorded: We Are Born (April 2008), Inscape (July 2008), Riddle of Existence
(July 2009), Random Thoughts, (August 2009) and The Jazz Matter (September
2009).
A first compilation entitled Compulsive Matter (strong
tracks, second takes and singles) was put together in July 2010 to celebrate
TFC's two years of activity.
Inscape was re-packaged in 2012 with an added track and
maintaining the CD cover by Zacron, to celebrate Zacron's life after his
passing that year (The Zacron Edition). Zacron (www.zacron.com) is best known
for designing the iconic Led Zeppelin III album cover for his friend Jimmy Page
in 1973. This is part of a vast and varied body of work by Zacron spanning five
decades. He's done the same thing for his friend Rogerio Ferreira regarding
TFC's Inscape album cover.
Another Zacron album cover is used on Compulsive
Matter.
Some of the music is freely available for downloading
on the main website. All music will be made available there either free of
charge or through PayPal after the re-packaging of all the albums and extended
play sessions. Some tracks are also being re-edited and re-mastered. Selected
CDs are available at gigs.
The Members
The founding members are Thomas Conway and Rogerio
Ferreira, other musicians are invited as necessary and Jaki Alden is an
associated act.
The Influence
Tom
Guitarists – John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Davy Graham,
Leo Kottke, John Fahey, John James, Mark Knopfler
Songwriters - Al Stewart, Paul Simon, Cat Stevens,
Ralph McTell (for guitar as well), Richard Thompson, Joan Armatrading, Ben Folds,
Van Morrison
Bands - Acetre, Steely Dan, Smiths, Strokes
General - Sacred Choral Music, Early Music, African
Choral Music, Religious Music, Soul, Funk, Old Reggae... Anything that’s good.
Rogerio
Drummers: Billy Cobham, Ian Paice, Tony Williams, Bill
Bruford, Carl Palmer, Jack DeJohnette, Chris Layton
Composers and multi-instrumentalists:
Ry Cooder, Joni Mitchell, Mike Oldfield, Dollar Brand,
Peter Gabriel, Eric Clapton, JJ Cale, Jeff Beck, Steve Ray Vaughan, Bonnie
Raitt, Sting …
Brazil: Deodato, Tania
Maria, Flora Purim, Eliane Elias, Joyce …
Bands: Emerson Lake & Palmer, Yes, Genesis, Brand
X, Steely Dan, Jethro Tull, Focus, Little Feat, Doobie Brothers, Deep Purple,
Doors, Double Trouble, The Nice …
Jazz: Pat Metheny, Modern Jazz Quartet, Milt Jackson,
Herbie Hancock, Stanley Clarke, Jimmy Smith, Tom Scott & The L.A. Express,
Osibisa, African and Middle Eastern rhythms
Orchestras: Lalo Schifrin, Quincy
Jones …
General - African and Middle Eastern rhythms,
Classical, Ethnic and Early Music, and anything good
Jaki
Traditional Irish Music, European Folk, a Cappella,
Early Music, Ry Cooder.
The Sound
The First Conception have developed a unique style
comprising a blend of their influences. "We try to create a certain
atmosphere within each piece of music we play." - Rogerio. "We also
believe in keeping it sparse." - Tom. "There's a mystical journey one
goes on when listening to your music. It sounds very spiritual and
mysterious." - Judy (a fan). "Have you contacted the BBC? Your
music's good for television documentaries." - Mark (a friend).