Rick Wakeman - Return To The Red Planet

Please note this is a pre-order item due for release 16th October 2026

Tracklist:

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

At a time when space exploration has moved back to the forefront of human
endeavour - with missions to the Moon, Mars & beyond once again capturing the
world's imagination - 'Return To The Red Planet' feels both timely & visionary,
rekindling the cosmic spirit that helped define progressive rock's golden age.
Where its predecessor opened the story, this album explores the planet's ancient
lakes, vast canyon systems, shifting dust storms & geological epochs, drawing
directly on the remarkable images & research that have transformed our
understanding of Mars in recent years, Wakeman immersing himself in planetary
research, data, & mission reports before a single note was written.
"Once I started looking at the new data & photographs, I realised there was an entirely
new album waiting to be written. There was simply too much more to say about Mars
- musically & spiritually - not to return." - Rick Wakeman
Recorded between August 2025 & 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 &
energy of progressive rock at its best.
The album is performed by Wakeman's English Rock Ensemble, featuring bassist Lee
Pomeroy, guitarist Dave Colquhoun, drummer Adam Falkner & vocalist Mollie Marriott,
daughter of legendary Steve Marriott. The album was mastered by renowned engineer
Simon Heyworth.
"This isn't just another Rick Wakeman album. It's a bloody good one!" Simon Heyworth
- Producer of Tubular Bells
Among 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 & autobiographical - a reflection on a shared history, a lasting friendship &
one of rock's most celebrated recordings.
The music was initially composed as keyboard "templates" at Nursery Studios, before
being expanded collaboratively by the band at Decoy Studios & engineered by Toby
Wood. Final overdubs & mixing with producer/ engineer Erik Jordan bring the vision
into sharp focus - from sweeping symphonic passages to intricate rhythmic
sequences & haunting choral textures.