The early-'90s formation Samuel Smiles was originally conceived as a live setup to process smoky late-night jazz with an exploration of introspection in song. Initially a trio comprising singer Tim Bowness (No-Man/Darkroom), keyboards man Peter Chilvers (Alias Grace), and guitarist Michael Bearpark (Darkroom), they are now aided by saxophonist Myke Clifford. With fellow No-Man Steven Wilson concentrating on his own off-shoots Porcupine Tree and Bass Communion, Bowness and company released World of Bright Futures in 1999, complimented by shows in Cambridge and London. As with No-Man, the recording was well-received, some giving reference to the Blue Nile, Mark Eitzel, and Nick Drake, who is the bearer of Smiles' second album, a homage Hanging on a Star. No-Man, Samuel Smiles, Alias Grace, and Darkroom are among the artists that make up the collective web site. ~ Kelvin Hayes, Rovi