{"product_id":"rick-wakeman-return-to-the-red-planet","title":"Rick Wakeman - Return To The Red Planet","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"OutlineElement Ltr SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eRelease Date 16th October 2026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eIndies Exclusive Crystal  Clear Vinyl 2LP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Paragraph SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eFollowing his acclaimed 2020 album 'The Red Planet', Rick Wakeman makes a triumphant \u0026amp; inevitable return to Mars with 'Return To The Red Planet', a sweeping new progressive work that fuses science, imagination \u0026amp; musical virtuosity into one of the most ambitious recordings of his career\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"EOP Selected SCXW263169270 BCX8\" data-ccp-props='{\"335551550\":2,\"335551620\":2}'\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eAt a time when space exploration has moved back to the forefront of human endeavour - with missions to the Moon, Mars \u0026amp; beyond once again capturing the world's imagination - 'Return To The Red Planet' feels both timely \u0026amp; visionary, rekindling the cosmic spirit that helped define progressive rock's golden age.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eWhere its predecessor opened the story, this album explores the planet's ancient lakes, vast canyon systems, shifting dust storms \u0026amp; geological epochs, drawing directly on the remarkable images \u0026amp; research that have transformed our understanding of Mars in recent years, Wakeman immersing himself in planetary research, data, \u0026amp; mission reports before a single note was written.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\"Once I started looking at the new data \u0026amp; photographs, I realised there was an entirely new album waiting to be written. There was simply too much more to say about Mars - musically \u0026amp; spiritually - not to return.\" -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eRick Wakeman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eRecorded between August 2025 \u0026amp; January 2026, the project also marks a welcome return to full band recording, with all musicians working together at Decoy Studios - a creative approach Wakeman considers essential to capturing the spontaneity \u0026amp; energy of progressive rock at its best.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eThe album is performed by Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, featuring bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner \u0026amp; vocalist Mollie Marriott, daughter of legendary Steve Marriott. The album was mastered by renowned engineer Simon Heyworth.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\"This isn't just another Rick Wakeman album. It's a bloody good one!\"\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eSimon Heyworth - Producer of Tubular Bells\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eAmong the album's centrepieces is 'Bowie's Vision', a deeply personal homage to Wakeman's friend David Bowie, whose fascination with Mars helped shape popular culture's image of the planet. The connection is more than thematic: Wakeman performed the iconic piano on Bowie's 'Life on Mars?', making this tribute both musical \u0026amp; autobiographical - a reflection on a shared history, a lasting friendship \u0026amp; one of rock's most celebrated recordings.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eThe music was initially composed as keyboard \"templates\" at Nursery Studios, before being expanded collaboratively by the band at Decoy Studios \u0026amp; engineered by Toby Wood. Final overdubs \u0026amp; mixing with producer\/engineer Erik Jordan bring the vision into sharp focus - from sweeping symphonic passages to intricate rhythmic\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003esequences \u0026amp; haunting choral textures.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003ePraise for 'The Red Planet' (2020):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\"An astonishing return to form...Wakeman at his most imaginative\" -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eProg Magazine\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun EmptyTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\"A richly detailed symphonic rock journey\" -\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-contrast=\"auto\" lang=\"EN-GB\" class=\"TextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003eClassic Rock\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"LineBreakBlob BlobObject DragDrop SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr class=\"SCXW263169270 BCX8\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hundred Records","offers":[{"title":"Indies Exclusive Crystal Clear Vinyl 2LP","offer_id":57179470070140,"sku":null,"price":46.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Black Vinyl 2LP","offer_id":57179470102908,"sku":null,"price":39.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":57179470135676,"sku":null,"price":13.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD \/ Blu ray","offer_id":57179470168444,"sku":null,"price":16.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0283\/9012\/9750\/files\/1b0a79ca-e3b0-e4dc-9f1f-f42750d9a22e_1.jpg?v=1784221077","url":"https:\/\/hundredrecords.co.uk\/products\/rick-wakeman-return-to-the-red-planet","provider":"Hundred Records","version":"1.0","type":"link"}