Orchestra leader Geoff Love (b. 4 September 1917, Todmorden, Yorkshire, England, d. 8 July 1991, London, England) initially used the above name pseudonymously. The British-born son of a Black American dancer, he took to music at an early age and by the late 50s/early 60s joined Joe Loss and Ted Heath as one of the country’s leading band leaders. Love’s Manuel appellation allowed him an artistic freedom to draw influence from South American music and, although early releases did not reveal its creator’s identity (Love was ‘unmasked’ during a cameo appearance on BBC television’s Juke Box Jury), such recordings later became the natural outlet for his talents. A prodigious output, notably for EMI Records’ prestigious Studio 2 stereo series, ensured that the band remained one of Britain’s most popular light orchestral attractions throughout the 60s and 70s.