Pete Schofield was a music teacher, big band leader and, based on the evidence of this album cover, a soprano saxophonist. Along with his younger charges The Canadians he recorded at least two albums on Birchmount Records (this one and It's A Sign Of The Times), but more than that I do not know. As for The Canadians, they evidently had a revolving lineup, but at the time of this album's recording they were Ihor Kukurudza on guitar, Ray Banks on trumpet, John Meydam on drums and Rosy Sidgwick on bass (the rest of the brass section is not identified).

The Now Sound was recorded in 1969 at Sound Canada Studios in Don Mills (which was also home to The Rhythm Ramblers' album) by engineer Phil Sheridan, with musical arragements by Eddie Graff, Ray Sikora and Ken Garland. The album consists in its entirety of thirteen tracks of instrumental pop in the vein of Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, of which the cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," with its driving beat and insistent drone, is my personal favourite. Unfortunately, this album wasn't in the best of shape when I found it in a moldy box under a table at a flea market in Sarnia, so be prepared for a little snap, crackle, pop.

(Do You Know The Way To) San Jose
Music To Watch Girls By
Mrs. Robinson
Goin' Out Of My Head

On this album, entitled The Old Meets The New, he leads a group of young musicians named The Canadian College All-Stars through their paces. This site includes a bit more information about Schofield, including a photo of another album of his named It's A Sign Of The Times. Schofield's daughter Kim also got in touch and told us that Pete's studio was located in their family's basement, and that after he passed away in 1995 she and her brothers kept an informal rehearsal band going; according to a comment she left on the other site linked above, they continue to meet every Tuesday night to this day, and one member has been involved with the group for over 50 years!

This LP was recorded by engineer Peter Houston with arrangements by Jerry Nichols, and the Canadian College All-Stars - all of whom were between 15 and 18 years old (a little young for college, you'd think) - were:

Pete Schofield: alto and soprano saxophone, clarinet
Bill Jackman: alto saxophone, clarinet
Steve Seto: tenor saxophone, clarinet
George Zarras: tenor saxophone, clarinet
Pete Maher: baritone and alto saxophone, clarinet
Ian MacKay: trumpet
Bob Edwards: lead guitar
Brian Pattullo: rhythm guitar
Rick Homme: bass
Garry Owens: drums

All of the songs on this album are covers. "007 Medley" weaves together the brassy themes from the Bond flicks Dr. No and Goldfinger, while "King of the Road" is a swingin' take on the Roger Miller hit which features a tight, jazzy solo on guitar by Bob Edwards. "And I Love Her" rounds things out with a fairly faithful rendition of The Beatles' classic.

007 Medley
King Of The Road
And I Love Her