STEVE HACKETT/VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE CAS 1111 (-75) UK

I've seen this perceived and treated as a lost Genesis album. And why not - apart from guest performers as brother John Hackett, John Gustafson (then still in Roxy Music), Percy Jones (at the time playing with Eno) and the beautiful Sally Oldfield there are also substantial contributions by Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins. As recorded between "Lamb Lies Down On Broadway" and "Trick Of The Tail", containing cuts already prepared during the "Foxtrot" era and hinting a more progressive display, it can be seen as transition between the band's Gabriel and post-Gabriel phases. With exception of the airy vocal ballad "The Hermit" side one is hard-core instrumental prog with tophole bass play by Rutherford - very skillfully done, but to me not that inviting or especially catchy. Side two on the other hand sounds a lot more like my Genesis - not only by Collins's vocals to "Star Of Sirius", the familiar backing mode to Sally Oldfield's voice in "The Lovers" (my favorite track), or the instrumental Foxtrot remain "Shadow Of The Hierophant", but it's also more melodic and the whole atmosphere reminds a lot of the succeeding "Trick Of The Tail" and "Wind And Wuthering". So side one for the hard-core prog fan and side two for the die-hard Genesis lover. If you're both it's a killer, but for me who mostly belong to the second group certainly good enough. Released on vinyl and/or cassette pretty much all over the world in the seventies. Japan 2006 CD (Charisma/Virgin VJCP-68773) came with two bonus tracks. Premiere UK had label as shown here and matt fold/out cover. (GYÄ*)(CÄX*)