Jon Anderson embarks on a cosmic journey with Olias of Sunhillow, his 1976 concept album that intrigues with ambitious instrumentation, fantasy narratives, and fastidious production.

Jon Anderson nearly drove himself insane making Olias of Sunhillow. That’s not a figure of speech. By his own admission, the Yes singer pushed himself to such extreme limits working on his first solo album that he began questioning his creative decisions and state of mind.

Yet Anderson’s labor of love ultimately resulted in a cosmic set that immediately became a hybrid prog-psychedelic favorite that stands as one of the most revered cult classics in the rock canon.

Reissued in celebration of its 50th anniversary, mastered by engineer Krieg Wunderlich, strictly limited to 2,000 numbered copies, and only the second domestic vinyl version of the record since its initial 1976 release, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 33RPM LP presents Olias of Sunhillow in audiophile sound for the first time.

The complexities of Anderson’s extravagant array of ambient landscapes, new-age synthesizers, and signature vocals are resolved and laid out amid black backgrounds that deeply immerse you in the transportative music. The British legend’s cornucopia of exotic and familiar instrumentation — he famously played every note on the record — now seems even more impressive and impossible.

Just as notable as the recording is the album’s prized packaging and lavish artwork. Made by Stoughton, the super-deluxe jacket faithfully replicates the original gatefold design featuring an inner hinged panel and embossed textures.

Directly tied in with Anderson’s storylines as complementary visual components, David Fairbrother-Roe’s intricate illustrations pop with color, dimensionality, and flair. Akin to the striking imagery on the cover and inside, the accompanying script-style text is rendered as if it was published in a custom-bound copy of a sci-fi book.

Properly scaled lyrics and credits, too, further put Anderson’s vision into perspective. (Please note: Due to the elaborate packaging and treatment, this Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab title has a higher price than the label’s other 180g 33RPM LPs).

Side A:
1. Ocean Song
2. Meeting (Garden of Geda)
3. Sound Out the Galleon
4. Dance of Ranyart
5. Olias (To Build the Moorglade)
6. Qoquaq Ën Transic
7. Naon
8. Transic Tö
9. Flight of the Moorglade

Side B:
1. Solid Space
2. Moon Ra
3. Chords
4. Song of Search
5. To the Runner

Basically, for those wondering what to expect from Jon Anderson’s first ever solo work, I would say it is slightly reminiscent of the song We Have Heaven from the Yes album Fragile. Like, if you will, the natural progression following that idea. However, I cannot possibly describe how much more creativity and passion was required to create the transcendent atmosphere of Olias, for this is the soundtrack to Anderson’s complex vision; and every sound the listener hears represents a part of the mystical story he had in mind.

The unique instrumentation, vocals, and overall texture perfectly capture an otherworldly feeling, and the rather dynamic flow of all the music fits exactly to what the story should convey (if that makes any sense). For me, this is an album that becomes clearer (especially here now on this incredible MoFi reissue) the more I hear it, yet it has not lost that mysterious wonder of a new experience.

In fact, I absolutely love the very essence of this project - at its core it is so simple, so beautiful, and so true to the most admirable human ideals. It’s simply the result of one isolated man, delving deep into his musical personality, and doing whatever it takes to bring out something profound within himself.

Best of all, I think he truly succeeded in this ambitious goal; the music has spanned generations, and its sincerity can still be clearly heard by anyone with an open mind and a sense of adventure in their music listening.

While some might miss the electric and acoustic guitar work of Steve Howe, and the vocal harmonies and melodic bass lines of Chris Squire, I personally love the more experimental and esoteric approach of this collection of songs. Anderson’s unmistakable voice is layered amongst acoustic guitar, keyboards and some very interesting and varied percussion. The narrative may be a little hard to follow at times, sure, as there’s a complex story being told here, as Anderson is want to do, but when I listen to Olias of Sunhillow I let the entire thing just wash over me; as you all should too, of course.

In closing, as I am not done gushing quite yet, overall, this is an interestingly complex, at times perhaps ever so slightly overreaching concept project where Anderson’s soaring vocals accompanied with great music makes this album the first, and up to today, the last essential Jon Anderson solo album he has ever created (in my ever so humble opinion).

Strictly Limited to 2,000 Numbered Copies, Mobile Fidelity’s 50th Anniversary 180g 33RPM LP Reissue Is the First Audiophile Vinyl Edition of Yes Singer’s Solo Debut: Super-Deluxe Packaging Replicates the Original Gatefold Jacket with Inner Hinged Panel and Embossed Textures.

1/4” / 15 IPS Dolby A analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe.

Official Purchase Link

www.jonanderson.com

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