About Us

View From The Hill’s journey began in 1985 when founder members Patrick Patterson (Songwriter, Guitar & Vocals) and Trevor White (Songwriter, bass & Vocals) released the self-entitled “View From The Hill” four track EP. Joined on lead vocals by Angela Wynter, View From The Hill received wide media attention, and within a year were signed by EMI Records in the UK and Capitol Records in the USA.

In 1987 Patrick, Trevor and Angela recorded the album “In Time”, and were joined by the skillful Tony Scantlebury on drums and Vic Martin on Keyboards. “In Time” was produced by the legendary Stewart Levine, famous for his work with the Crusaders, Joe Cocker and many others; Mick Glossop, producer and engineer for Van Morrison, Pete Wingfield and Howard Gray.

Two singles, “No Conversation” and “No Rebel” were released from the album, and both entered the UK Charts to glowing reviews. The album attained equal success in the USA when the album was released by Capital Records to further critical acclaim. Their success established View From The Hill as one of the most talked about Black British groups of the late 1980’s, helping to spearhead the thrust of the new wave of British Black music on both sides of the Atlantic.

View From The Hill toured the UK in 1988 playing at major venues across the country including Wembley Arena, Hammersmith Odeon, Birmingham NEC and Manchester Apollo opening for several artists including Alexander O’Neil and Suzanne Vega.

They also undertook a promotional media tour in the USA and while there recorded an award winning video with director Paula Walker, to accompany the release of their third track from their In Time album, “Stay and Let Me Love You”.Patrick and Trevor were joined on the tour by Tony Scantlebury, Vic Martin, Paul Bell and Ray Carless on Saxophone. Tony Scantlebury and Paul Bell have since remained core members of the band.

Each of the band members have attained their own independent successes over the years, and during the 1990’s they went on to work on other projects and embark on their own musical journeys, with intermittent View From the Hill recording sessions under the auspices of the independent label KLS Music, working on their second album “Rules of the Game”. A labour of love, and 12 years in the making, Rules of the Game was released in 2002.

“Don’t Look Back” was released in 2009, their most socially conscious and exploratory album. Spearheading the album was the track “Put Your Faith In Me”, which was accompanied by a video directed by Donavan Fontaine of Ban2media.

View From the Hill have had the privilege of working, recording and performing with several talented and inspirational musicians including Vic Martin, Neil Drinkwater [Keyboards]; Richie Stevens, Sam Kelly [Drums], Paul Dunne, Jimmy Haynes, Mark Bhalla [Guitar], Courtney Pine, Anita Carmichael, Nick Pentilowe, Mike Rose, Ray Carless [Saxaphone], Sparticus R [Percussion], Steve Scipio, Pete Nelson, Jordan Bailey, Tanya Patterson, Karen Bernard, Renita Patterson [Vocals].

“View From The Hill offers both vision and emotion and hopefully we’ll be seeing more of them.” Rolling Stone Magazine

Patrick Patterson

Patrick Patterson started his musical career at a very young age, working with local bands and touring American airbases in Germany. He and Trevor White are long standing collaborators in music. They are among a number of musicians that helped sustain a vibrant black music scene in the UK as far back as the 1970’s. After various outings in local bands they became founder members of Rudies one of the first UK reggae grown bands. Patrick soon moved on to other musical ventures and together with Steve Scipio, forming Metre, a jazz funk band.

They then established Cymande a band that became arguably one of the most influential British black groups of the 1970’s. Patrick has co-written with writers including Leon Ware, Patrick Henderson, Billy Ray Martin, Ray Simpson and numerous others. He has worked as musical director and written music for two musicals: Jericho and Bunkers.

Trevor White

Trevor White, Bass guitarist, songwriter, remained with the Rudies throughout its existence and helped that band to great success. For many years the Rudies were the go-to backing band for almost every Jamaican reggae artist to come to the UK. The Rudies later took the name Greyhound and had a top 10 UK hit with the song “Black and White”. After Greyhound disbanded Trevor went on to have further hit records as a founder member of the Funkmasters a band that had a UK top 10 hit with the song “It’s Over”. In 1985 Patrick and Trevor formed View From The Hill. Trevor has worked with Bob Marley and Johnny Nash, Toots and the Maytals, Owen Gray, John Holt, Nicky Thomas, Jimmy Cliff, Cymande and many more.

Angela Wynter

Angela Wynter was View From The Hill’s first female vocalist, she worked with the band from its inception and is featured on lead vocals on the band’s first Album” In Time” on EMI Records. Angela then changed careers, moving into acting and becoming a household name as a member of the cast of Eastenders, playing the part of Yolande Trueman.

Tony Scantlebury

Tony Scantlebury, drummer and percussionist is a former member of Buzz and the INC Band. He has worked with artists including Eddie Grant and Joey Dee. Tony took the drum chair for View From The Hill during the making of In Time, he is a long standing friend and collaborator with Patrick and Trevor

Paul Addison Bell

Paul Addison Bell. Piano, Keyboards, has worked as a session musician and musical director for much of his professional career. He began working with View from the Hill in 1987 just after the release of In Time, he has remained the constant keyboard presence since that time.