Rick Wakeman takes a musical trip to 'The Red Planet'

Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble have released “The Red Planet” album. It features eight newly-composed pieces especially for this project. The songs hark back to the Yes keyboardist's critically acclaimed debut album “The Six Wives of Henry VIII,” where six keyboard pieces were based around a central subject matter. It is a serious return to “Wakeman Prog."

Rick has blown the dust off his favorite analog keyboards and along with his with the latest keyboards, has used the same formula he devised when making his legendary albums “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” and “Criminal Record.”

Upon being asked about the expectations of his prog fans, that they are hoping he will have shoved the “prog fader” up to 11, he replied, “That could be a problem….as it’s already at 14."

The first 1,000 units of vinyl come in 180-gram red double vinyl, signed and numbered, in a special “Pop-Up” album cover. The first 2,000 units of the CD edition signed and numbered, in a special “Pop-Up” CD album cover. These collectors items are sure to sell out quickly, fans are advised to pre-order to avoid disappointment, or worst still buy copies from auction sites.

This is the first release on the newly formed R&D MultiMedia, which is a transatlantic partnership between music business veteran and long time Wakeman sidekick Rob Ayling and rock journalist and producer Doug Harr.

The English Rock Ensemble (ERE) features:

Rick Wakeman – Keyboards

Dave Colquhoun- Guitars

Lee Pomeroy – Bass

Ash Soan – Drums

Produced by Rick Wakeman and Erik Jordan

Track listing:

1. Mount Sharp
2. Medusae Fossae
3. Hale Crater
4. Polar Ice
5. Ghost Dunes
6. Valles Marineris
7. The Tharsis Volcanoes
8. Olympus Mons

musicglue.com/rick-wakeman-the-red-planet