New Rick Wakeman album 'The Red Planet' to be relased on April 3rd !

Rick Wakeman reveals new prog album The Red Planet | Louder


Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble have announced that they’ll release a new prog album titled The Red Planet later this year.

The keyboard wizard is joined in the lineup by guitarist Dave Colquhoun, bassist Lee Pomeroy and drummer Ash Soan and it'll take the form of “a keyboard heavy” prog rock instrumental album.

who confirmed he was working on a prog album in January says on his website: “The basic tracks are already recorded and that includes contributions from the musicians named above and I am thrilled with the results so far.

“I still have a lot to add to each track and that will be done throughout this month before Erik Jordan starts his task of mixing it all so it ends up sounding like it should!

“There are great plans afoot for a very special playback session and other surprises too. It’s been great fun getting back to prog and I think the period away from recording such an album has contributed greatly to making The Red Planet sound extremely fresh.”

Wakeman adds: “The album is very much taking up all my time for the coming weeks, hence no other appearances anywhere or trip away, but they will soon start appearing once the album is delivered.”

Asked about the expectations of prog fans who are hoping to see the “prog fader turned up to 11,” Wakeman replies: “That could be a problem as it's already at 14!”

The Red Planet will be released on LP and CD, with the first 1000 vinyl units pressed on 180g red double vinyl, which will be signed and numbered and presented in a ‘pop-up’ cover.

The first 2000 CDs will also be autographed and numbered and feature their own ‘pop-up’ cover.

Both versions are available to pre-order now.

In addition, there will also be a playback event at the National Space Centre in Leicester on April 4 from 6pm. Only 150 fans will have the chance to attend, with each ticket coming with a “bag of goodies, signed event programme and signed CD/DVD.”

 

RWCC > The Red Planet



Keyboard Legend Rick Wakeman & The English Rock Ensemble will be releasing “The Red Planet” on April 3, 2020. The album features 8 newly composed pieces, especially for this project, and harks back to Wakeman's critically acclaimed debut album “The Six Wives of Henry VIII” where there were 6 heavy keyboard pieces based around a central subject matter. It is a serious return to "Wakeman Prog"...

Rick has blown the dust off his favourite analogue keyboards and along with his with the latest keyboards, has used the same formula he devised when making his legendary albums The Six Wive's of Henry VII 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 having to buy copies from auction sites.


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

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

 

This could be interesting.

 

So that's where my Mini-Moog model D went. Nah, I actually I still have it on top of my piano.

But really looking forward to this, will go for the vinyl edition first.

 

Ordered a lovely double red vinyl numbered and signed with a hi qual download.

Felt it good to support Rick's Emporium.

His tweets are so funny. I want to keep him in cups of tea.

 

Holy God!

This is old school, 70s Wakeman

 

I preordered the vinyl from his website. Looking forward to it.

 

Yeah this is cool...

 

Analogue
keyboards !
Maestro
Wakeman !
This
is
incredibly
exiting
!
!
!

thoroughly chuffed !

 

Digging that authentic mid 70s vibe. No one can pull this sound off better than Rick. Can't wait to dub the album onto a Maxell XLII-S 90 so I can play new Wakeman on my Walkman. Seriously. Time warp!

 

RELEASE DELAYED - Everyone here is excited to get #TheRedPlanet into your hands as soon as possible. Unfortunately, the reality of the current world situation is such that work on the project is affected by manufacturing and logistical issues. Regrettably we're therefore going to miss our April date and at this point it's looking like it will be nearer to June realistically - this also applies to download releases. Rest assured we will be doing everything in our power to bring the date closer especially the downloads. We will continue to provide updates when we know more...

 

Good to know about the delay. It was to be expected.

 

Worth the wait I'm sure.

 

I never ever dreamed in a million years that I would ever have to write my monthly GORR whilst the world was in a pandemic lockdown. I have to start by wishing everybody safety and strong health during this unbelievable time.

Absolutely everybody I know is suffering in one way or another and it is hard to see total recovery happening in the very near future.

Rachel and I have quite a few friends who have been tested positive for Covid-19 and these are all people who have abided strictly by the rules set out by governments and health experts and so it is even more worrying that this virus seems to have many ways of infecting us humans that perhaps we are unaware of.

As for Rachel and myself, we have observed the rules very carefully and as my kids and grandkids keep reminding me, I am 70 years old. I tell them that I want to be 80 and even 90 and so for the first time in my life I am really listening to advice and doing what I am told.

With all concerts, touring, TV and radio appearances having been cancelled or postponed, I am concentrating on preparing for when this horrendous period is over by looking at concerts and tours for the future so that we are ready when the time comes. I am also spending even more time than usual at the piano.

I can however be thankful of one thing, and that is that we managed to finish recording The Red Planet album before the lockdown and self isolation came into force and it will be available in June (or so I am told) on the Emporium website.

Please stay safe and healthy everybody. Help one another wherever possible and look ahead to better times... they will happen.

Much love from Rachel and myself x x

 

I had a few listens of some YouTube samples yesterday, seems like the best he's made since Softsword!

 

Great to see Lee on bass. Saw him with Steve Hackett in 2015. Great bassist

 

I hope this is recorded well. This could be huge!

 

This sounds cool. Love it and can’t wait to buy it!

 

Rick finally gets his hands on the first batch of production CDs of #TheRedPlanet. They'll be on their way towards the end of June.

 

As some of you have seen, we've started shipping. As you can see, boxes and boxes of product. Rick is signing stuff as fast as he possibly can. Downloads have been enabled and we're aware that the initial one was MP3, FLACs are being enabled too. Bear with us!

 

Wow! How did this fly under my radar? Can't wait to check it out.