4th November 2020: Iconic guitarist Steve Hackett, releases his new acoustic album Under A Mediterranean Sky on 22nd January 2021 as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet and Digital Album via InsideOut Music. Under A Mediterranean Sky is Steve Hackett’s first acoustic solo album since Tribute in 2008 and takes inspiration from Steve’s extensive travels around the Mediterranean with his wife Jo.
Working closely with long-time musical partner Roger King, Hackett has used his time during 2020’s lockdown to take us on an extraordinary musical journey around the Mediterranean, painting vivid images of stunning landscapes and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region. Famed for his rock roots with Genesis, and through his extensive solo catalogue, Hackett demonstrates the exquisite beauty of the nylon guitar at times venturing into the exotic ethnic and often supported by dazzling orchestral arrangements.
“A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album,” notes Hackett, “a time to contemplate the places we’ve visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination.
“Because we can’t really travel, substantially at the moment, I hope that the album will take people on that journey. Whether you sit down and listen to it or drift off to it with a glass of wine…”
Our journey around the Med begins on the island of Malta, in Mdina – The Walled City. It’s imposing strength is portrayed by Roger King’s dramatic orchestration while Hackett’s guitar weaves through the atmospheric streets describing the creativity, love and strength that held Malta together between all the waves of conflict.
With Hackett’s delicate guitar work, Adriatic Blue paints an enchanting view of stunning scenery as tall cliffs of forested mountains plunge into the deep blue sea along the Croatian coastline. Sirocco is altogether more atmospheric, inspired by the winds playing through the imposing structures of Egypt.
The lively Joie de Vivre expresses the unique sense of joy the French have through their wine, food and folk music, with paintings reflecting family gatherings, spectacular vistas and the vibrant colours of their cities. The art of dreaming is embodied in their sensual love of life.
“At first hand, I’ve marvelled at the mystical whirling Dervishes,” says Hackett. Along with otherworldly beings such as the Djin (Genie) they sprang from Persia’s dreaming past. The Dervish And The Djin captures the extraordinary atmosphere of this most exotic of civilisations with the help of Hackett’s touring band regular – Rob Townsend’s soprano sax, the tar of Malik Mansurov (from Azerbaijan) and Armenian Arsen Petrosyan’s duduk. “Of course, those countries are virtually at war with each other,” Hackett adds, “and there has been something like a thousand casualties (at the time of writing) on both sides. Again, it’s a case of music being able to do things that politicians fail to do – something constructive.”
The Memory of Myth embodies the deep and rich history of Greece and features the violin of Christine Townsend (no relation) while Lorato – ‘love’ in the language of the African Tswana tribe – is a pretty folk tune. Love is the force that heals and links all disparate peoples of the Mediterranean.
Hackett and his wife Jo were enchanted by the little Faun statue in the House of the Faun, Pompeii. “The villas there seemed to come back to life as we walked through those wonderful atriums and gardens,” inspiring Casa del Fauno and featuring the light and airy flute of Hackett’s brother John and Rob Townsend on flute.
The only non-original piece is Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata. This embodies the Baroque music of Italy, a sensitive interpretation embellished with cross-string trills, a technique introduced to Hackett by the fine classical guitarist, the late Theo Cheng.
Hackett also expresses his admiration for the flamenco guitarists of Andalucía who are celebrated on Andalusian Heart. “One of the flamenco guitarists was showing me the extraordinary things they are able to do,” Hackett explains. “Seeing the gypsies playing and dancing in caves there, you get the feeling that these people are dancing for their lives.”
Our journey comes to an end with The Call Of The Sea, a gentle and peaceful reflection of the vast body of water that unites the many civilisations both ancient and modern.
Under A Mediterranean Sky features Steve Hackett playing nylon, steel string and twelve string guitars, charango and Iraqi oud. Keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements are by Roger King. Featured musicians are John Hackett and Rob Townsend, flute (Casa del Fauno); Malik Mansurov, tar and Arsen Petrosyan, duduk & Rob Townsend, Sax (The Dervish And The Djin); Christine Townsend, violin (The Memory of Myth and The Call Of The Sea). All tracks were produced by Steve Hackett and Roger King with all tracks recorded and mixed by Roger King at Siren.
“I had a great time doing this album, seeing it take shape, and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I’m very proud of it,” says Hackett. “The nylon guitar has a very individual sound but, within the compass of what the nylon-strung guitar can do, there are a lot of different tones. You can do the full-on attack, the kind of salvo that you expect from the flamenco players but, at the same time, it can also be very gentle, gentle as a harp. It’s shades of black and white. It’s also exciting to play alongside instruments from around the world, as well as a wide range of orchestral sounds.”
About Steve Hackett Steve Hackett joined Genesis at the beginning of 1971 and gained an international reputation as the guitarist in the band’s classic line-up alongside Peter Gabriel, Tony Banks, Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. Steve’s intricate guitar work was a key element of Genesis’ albums from Nursery Cryme (1971) to Wind And Wuthering (1977) including the classic Selling England By The Pound.
After leaving Genesis at the end of 1977, Steve’s solo career, which now spans more than 30 albums, has demonstrated his extraordinary versatility with both electric and acoustic guitar. Steve is renowned as both an immensely talented and innovative rock musician and a virtuoso classical guitarist and composer and this was recognised in 2010 when he was inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame. He has also worked alongside Steve Howe of YES in the supergroup GTR.
Steve’s compositions take influences from many genres, including jazz, classical and blues. For his later studio works The Night Siren (2017) and At The Edge Of Light (2019) Steve has explored the influences of world music. Recent tours have seen Steve celebrate his time with Genesis including a spectacular 2018 tour in which Steve realised a long-held ambition to perform the works of Genesis live with his band and an orchestra. He recently released Selling England by the Pound & Spectral Mornings: Live at Hammersmith, a live recording of his hugely successful 2019 tour that saw him celebrating that Genesis classic, as well as the 40th anniversary of one of his most-loved solo albums.
Under A Mediterranean Sky released on 22nd January 2021Formats – Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet Digital Album via InsideOut Music. Official website: http://www.hackettsongs.com Official webstore: https://store.hackettsongs.com/
A 5 Disc clamshell boxed set gathering together the four volumes of the “missing links” releases by celebrated musician and genesis founding member Anthony Phillips with an additional cd of previously unreleased & rare material all albums newly remastered with new extensive essay by Anthony Phillips’ archivist Jon Dann
Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of “MISSING LINKS I – IV”, a newly remastered 5 CD set clamshell boxed set comprising the four original “Missing Links” albums by celebrated composer and GENESIS founder member ANTHONY PHILLIPS. Aside from his work as a solo artist, Anthony has been a composer of music for television for many years, going back as far as 1976.
In 1989 Anthony issued the first collection of this music, “Missing Links” in December 1989 as a limited-edition release. Its popularity led to a further three Missing Links releases which gathered not only soundtrack compositions, but other rare archive recordings made by Anthony Phillips over the years. Although the original four volumes of the series have been subsequently been issued on CD, they have been unavailable for some years. Anthony has worked with his archivist Jon Dann to prepare this new boxed set edition of this wonderful music, compiling a new additional CD 27 track CD of previously unreleased and rare archive material, “Extra Links” exclusive to this set.
“MISSING LINKS I – IV” is sure to appeal to fans of Anthony’s work. This new boxed set edition features liner notes by Jon Dann and is a fine collection of music by one of Britain’s most imaginative and respected musicians.
Tracklisting:
DISC ONE:
MISSING LINKS VOLUME ONE: FINGER PAINTING A Collection Of Library And Television Music 1979 – 1989
Force Majeure (1987) Mountain Voices (1987) Lord Of The Smoking Mirror (1987) Sea Horses (1987) Dungeons (1987) Between The Rings (1983) Evening Ascent (1983) Streamer (1983) After The Rain (1987) Rottweiler (1983) Sad Fish (1983) A Song (1979) God’s Chosen Car Park Suite (1986) Processional – Meditation – Cave Painting
Tropical Moon Over Dorking Suite (1985) Estrangement – Myra’s Dream – Reconciliation
Fountain Pool (1986) Q. (1984) Three Piece Suite (1984) To The Shrine – Through The Forest – Towards The Light
Boulevard Of Fallen Leaves (1981) Land Of Dragons Suite (1989) Land Of Dragons (Part 1) – Kites – Harbour At Sunset – Dance Of The Crabs – Sand Octopus And The King Crabs – Do The Shrimps Know They’re Chinese – Land Of Dragons (Part 2)
And A Prayer (1979) Tierra Del Fuego (1979) Paradise Found (1979)
Disc Two:
Missing Links Volume Two: The Sky Road A Collection Of Archive, Commission And Unreleased Album Material
Exile Lifeboat Suite Opening Theme – Sunday Morning – Another Shout – Across The Sandbar – Storm Warning – Kim Waits – The Rescue Of The Janet C – Let Not The Deep Swallow Me Up – Closing Theme
The Bitter Suite Part I – Part Ii
Across The River Styx A Flock Of Souls Along The Towpath The Sky Road Tears On A Rainy Day Tiwai: Island Of The Apes Bats – In The Firmament
Wild Voices, Quiet Waters Suite Twilight On The Lake – Winterloons – Waterstar
Serenita Timepiece Field Of Eternity (Excerpts From The Original Version)
The Beggar And The Thief
Disc Three:
Missing Links Volume Three: Time And Tide A Collection Of Television And Library Music 1992 – 1997
Amazonas Peruvian Plains Manatee Garden Turtle Race Indio Wedding Underwater Forest Fiesta Del Charangos Slow Hand Sloth River Chase Sacred Kingdom African Dream Bedouin Train Sandstorm Kalahari March Songoku Schuan Journey Slow Boat To China Back In The Land Of Dragons Shadow Puppet Sea Jewel End Theme For Five Minnow Dance Sunken Galleons Haunting The Dark Sea Time And Tide Okavanga Under Desert Stars Lost In A Desert Night Blue Lagoons
Disc Four:
Missing Links Iv: Pathways & Promenades
The Golden Road To Samarkand Promenade Sceptred Isle Danza Cucaracha Fallen Idol Cascades Sky Dawn Misty Mountains It’s All Greek To Me Haven From The Sea Heavenly Gene Ironclad Water Gardens Night Train Sleeping Giant Sombrero Irish Lament Aurora Without You Sad Exodus Summer Of Love Light Rain Halcyon Days
Disc Five:
Extra Missing Links
Opening Theme For Five Empire Of The Elephant Great Rift Valley Dwellers Of The Deep Exile Link Freeway Dude Sumatra Tears On A Rainy Day Link Is There Anyone Out There? Antibes Cocktail Tropical Moon Romance Sitar Pastoral Wings Over The World Stakeout Bush Babies Suite Sky Road Link Citizens Of The Coral Estrangement (Piano Mix) Night Search Granada A Noble Spirit In The Heart Of Africa Malvern Hills Flight Of The Snow Geese Never Meant To Be New Alchemists Suite The Beggar & The Thief (Instrumental Version)
Blood Like Red is the 3rd track from the 2014 Music From An Expanded Universe album. The video features Leon Alvarado on Keyboards and Drums. Trey Gunn (King Crimson, The Security Project) on Warr Guitar and Bass and Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates) on Taos Drums percussion. Produced by Leon Alvarado, Engineered by Leon Alvarado, Trey Gunn and Mastered by Andy Jackson
For years I had wanted to add visuals to what it is one of my favorite pieces from my music. Leon Alvarado
Leon Alvarado is Texas-based prog drummer, keyboardist, composer, and illustrator, Alvarado has recorded with many talented musicians including Bill Bruford (Gong, Yes, Genesis, Earthworks), John Goodsall (Brand X, Fire Merchants), Trey Gunn (King Crimson), Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel, Hall & Oates, Paul McCartney), Billy Sherwood (Yes, Asia), Rick Wakeman and Tony Levin.
On the graphics front I have done album covers and touring materials for bands such as Brand X, Genesis, Phil Collins, Jethro Tull, Jeff Beck, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters, The Australian Pink Floyd Show, and King’s X.
A Critics Point of View
This is not one of those balls-to-walls prog-rock affairs. For instance on “Blood Like Red,” the artists execute a slowly moving and budding rock pulse, steered by Gunn’s prominent bass lines, in support of the leader’s polytonal voicings, sounding somewhere in between a mellotron and synth strings type soundscape. Moreover, Alvarado layers a tabla vibe to incorporate a world music background into the mix, followed by Gunn’s stinging and crunchy Warr guitar notes. All About Jazz
“Blood Like Red” starts and ends with atmospheric wind effects with the middle brimming with Alvarado’s spacier synth exploits and Gunn’s textural Warr guitar crunch. It is here the band really gets into a full but subtle groove. Jon Neudorf – Sea of Tranquility
July 2020 sees the publication of A Genesis In My Bed – the long-overdue autobiography from guitar great and former member of Genesis, Steve Hackett. As with his music, Steve has written a highly detailed, entertaining, and embracing tome that charts his life in full, but with a firm emphasis on his years with Genesis that saw the band’s meteoric rise to become one of the most successful British bands of all time.
Steve talks candidly about his early life, his time with Genesis, and in particular his personal relationships with the other four band members, with great insight into the daily goings-on of this major rock band.
Naturally, A Genesis In My Bed also regales stories of Steve’s career since leaving Genesis and the many different journeys that it has taken him on. With his flair for the creative and a great deal of levity, A Genesis In My Bed is also a riveting read. Indispensable for Genesis fans but also essential for general music lovers and avid readers of autobiographies full of heartfelt and emotive tales.
Steve says, “It’s often revealing. There’s lace, loves, and butterflies, and I explore personal feelings. I’ve answered many questions fans asked over the years too, such as why I left Genesis. It’s taken fifteen years to bring this book to fruition, writing between tours, recording, and legal challenges, but that’s given me time to really develop it.” Here are some quotes from Steve taken from the book:
On joining Genesis…He lifted his head and looked at me with a steely gaze… “You’ve heard of them, haven’t you?”Once again I was up against that invisible wall, aware I could either choose to sit there and give in or climb over it. But once over the wall, you can never go back. I knew there and then I was about to take a leap of faith into that new world and that my life was about to change for good. I was to board a spaceship to a new planet with a bunch of aliens. I emptied my glass, put it down, and walked out through the door into the sunshine, clutching that ticket to Mars.
On creating The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway…We were writing and recording at high intensity. The Lamb is a dense album with tons of detail. Everyone brimming over with ideas, the record was as packed with themes as Times Square is filled with people on a busy night, vocals suddenly abrasive like the horn of a New York fire truck. Forget sweet dreams… the drama unfolds day and night. The Lamb felt like a titanic adventure we were trying to survive… We struck icebergs but bravely lurched on into shark-infested, uncharted waters.
On leaving Genesis…Had I done the right thing? It was a big risk and a huge step into the unknown. I was leaving a world-class band that was by now filling arenas internationally. I had to trust in the power of my instinct and inspiration…
An anecdote about a border customs experience…On one occasion, after customs found some residual illegal substance left by a previous band in the car we’d hired, we were taken off into separate rooms. The customs guys were confrontational and aggressive, challenging me with large dogs as I stood there without my clothes on. Then suddenly an alarm startled these jumpy characters who swiftly pulled out their guns and spun around wildly, nostrils flaring…
A Genesis gig caught up in a revolution…The government was about to be overthrown the following day and it was like a tinderbox explosion! There was a riot outside the venue with guns and firecrackers going off and upturned army jeeps in the street. I heard there were fatalities. The gig was oversold. Pyramids of people clambering over each other were dangerously close to the balconies.
And of his current output, Steve says: “Musically, I’m proud of the most recent album ‘At The Edge Of Light’, with creative involvement from Roger and Jo, plus the most amazing musicianship from band members, orchestral players, singers and instrumentalists from the far pavilions and beyond…”
The launch of A Genesis In My Bed comes as Steve is locked down at home, as we all are, having had to abandon his US tour at short notice. “I’d never had to stop a tour halfway before… At least the gigs were postponed, so we will return! “Being on the last flight from Philly to London brought to mind my song, ‘Last train to Istanbul’. We were lucky to get back home…
With our ‘Seconds Out’ tour plans, we still have something to look forward to beyond these dark times. We have every intention of playing as soon as venues are open again.”
Book Cover photo by Tina KorhonenGenesis photos by Armando Gallo Available to Pre-order directly from the publisher & the artist:
Having released four solo albums (2 studio and 2 live), Peter has turned his attention to working with other musicians’ projects and bands such as Kinetic Element (USA), The Steve Bonino Project (USA), Marco Ragni (Italy), Bomber Goggles (USA), Transport Aerian (Belgium), Lobate Scarp (USA), The Steppes (USA), and Gekko Projekt (USA).
“I have a lot of new material, for at least two or three more solo albums, but I wanted to work on other projects to develop myself further as a guitarist and musician. So I took on a lot of session work with several artists around the world covering over 30 songs. At the moment I am finishing up my second album with Kinetic Element – Live in New York and my upcoming 3rd studio solo album.
About Peter Matuchniak favors a progressive style of guitar that features melodic solos and graceful chording, clearly influenced by the likes of Steve Hackett (Genesis), Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Andy Latimer (Camel) and Mike Oldfield. Always drawn more to composition and melody above pure technique and over-indulgence, Peter Matuchniak lets sounds and textures guide the music first and foremost.
His compositional style draws from the varied genres he was exposed to at home: a brother into jazz-rock, a sister listening to the latest radio hits, and parents who raised them all on classical music. But the basic element is always progressive rock, and Peter Matuchniak has played with a number of bands in this genre that have garnered attention and reviews, both in London where he grew up as well as in his adopted Southern California home.
Peter has received enthusiastic reviews from around the world (the latter winning a Grindie Award from RadioINDY). Back in the 1980’s Peter was part of the so-called neo-progressive rock movement with Janysium and Mach One (that were represented by Keith Goodwin, press agent for Yes, Marillion and Rod Argent. He also wrote and recorded jingles in Bombay for commercials that were aired on Indian TV with high-profile artists and accounts, with one such ad winning a CLIO award for public safety.
Discography Solo Album / TBA (2020) Kinetic Element – Live From New York 2020 Kinetic Element – The Face of Life (2019) Bomber Goggles – GyreLand (2018) Marco Ragni – The Wondering Caravan (2018) Transport Aerian – Therianthrope (2017) Marco Ragni – Land of Blue Echoes (2016) Peter Matuchniak – A Live Destination (2015) Peter Matuchniak – A Live Destination Video (2015) Free with CD Gekko Projekt – Reya of Titan (2015) Peter Matuchniak – Destiny (2014) Peter Matuchniak – Uncovered Live in L.A. (2014) Gekko Projekt – Electric Forest (2012) Peter Matuchniak- DVD Uncover Me CD (2012) Evolve IV – Decadent Light (2007)
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