Rick Wakeman: Return To The Red Planet (CD + Audio) [Blu-ray]

Following his acclaimed 2020 album *The Red Planet*, Rick Wakeman makes a triumphant and inevitable return to Mars with *Return To The Red Planet*—a captivating new progressive work that blends science, imagination, and musical virtuosity into one of the most ambitious recordings of his career.

At a time when space exploration has once again taken center stage in human endeavor—and missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond are once more capturing the world’s imagination— “Return to the Red Planet” feels both timely and visionary, reviving the cosmic spirit that helped shape the golden age of progressive rock.

While its predecessor set the stage, this album explores the planet’s ancient lakes, vast canyon systems, shifting dust storms, and geological eras, drawing directly on the remarkable images and research findings that have transformed our understanding of Mars in recent years. Wakeman immersed himself in planetary research, data, and mission reports even before he wrote a single note.

“When I started looking at the new data and photos, I realized that a whole new album was waiting to be written. There was simply far too much more to say about Mars—musically and spiritually—for me not to return.” – Rick Wakeman

Recorded between August 2025 and January 2026, the project also marks a welcome return to full-band recordings, with all the musicians working together at Decoy Studios —a creative approach that Wakeman considers essential for capturing the spontaneity and energy of progressive rock at its best.

The album is performed by Wakeman’s English Rock Ensemble, consisting of bassist Lee Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner, and singer Mollie Marriott, the daughter of the legendary Steve Marriott. The album was mastered by renowned sound engineer Simon Heyworth.

The music was initially composed as keyboard “demos” at Nursery Studios before being further developed with the band at Decoy Studios and mixed by Toby Wood. The final overdubs and mixing with producer and sound engineer Erik Jordan bring the vision to the forefront—from rousing symphonic passages to complex rhythmic sequences and haunting choral textures.

This 2-disc edition of “Return To The Red Planet” includes the complete studio album on CD, as well as a Blu-ray disc featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround sound, and high-resolution stereo mixes, as well as the documentary “Making of the Return To The Red Planet” and a 20-page printed booklet.

Треклист:
CD
1. The Jezero Crater
2. Bowie's Vision
3. Noctis Labyrinthus
4. Noachis Terra (Land of Noah)
5. Witch Hazel Hill
6. St Paul's Bay
7. Martian Dust Devils
8. Medusae Fossae
9. The Epochs of Mars

Blu-ray
1. The Jezero Crater
2. Bowie's Vision
3. Noctis Labyrinthus
4. Noachis Terra (Land of Noah)
5. Witch Hazel Hill
6. St Paul's Bay
7. Martian Dust Devils
8. Medusae Fossae
9. The Epochs of Mars
10. Making of 'Return To The Red Planet' (Documentary Film)