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 sweeping new progressive work that fuses science, imagination and musical virtuosity into one of the most ambitious recordings of his career. Wakeman has shared the album’s second single, “Bowie’s Vision,” a stunning tribute to David Bowie, a figure whose own fascination with the stars would become inseparable from his musical legacy. For Wakeman, the connection is also deeply personal, having worked alongside Bowie during a formative period in both of their careers and famously played piano on the timeless “Life On Mars“?
Stream “Bowie’s Vision” via the Spotify player below:
Purchase and Stream “Bowie’s Vision” here: https://orcd.co/bowies_vision
Sharing a few lines on his inspiration behind the new single, Wakeman states:
I have been wanting to do a musical tribute to David ever since this world lost him and so returning to the Red Planet gave me the perfect opportunity to do just that and compose and record ‘Bowie’s Vision’. It’s a very personal piece of music and tells the story of our times together. He gave me warmth of musicality mixed with melody and surprise and these are the ingredients that come together to make up this very special track for a very special friend.
Watch the official trailer for new album “Return To The Red Planet” HERE
“Return To The Red Planet” will be released everywhere on the following formats:
– Crystal Clear Gatefold Vinyl LP
– Classic Black Gatefold Vinyl LP
– Digipack CD With 20-page booklet
– CD/Blu-ray edition – includes CD of the studio album + Blu-ray disc featuring Dolby Atmos, 5.1 Surround Sound & Hi-Res Stereo Mixes and The Making Of The ‘Return To The Red Planet’ Documentary + 20-page printed booklet
– Digital
Pre-Order “Return To The Red Planet” here: https://rickwakemanmadfish.lnk.to/Return_To_The_Red_Planet
Tracklist:
01. The Jezero Crater – 06:56
02. Bowie’s Vision – 05:45
03. Noctis Labyrinthus – 05:28
04. Noachis Terra (Land of Noah) – 06:23
05. Witch Hazel Hill – 04:02
06. St Paul’s Bay – 06:53
07. Martian Dust Devils – 04:53
08. Medusae Fossae – 04:26
09. The Epochs of Mars – 07:45
“Once I started looking at the new data and photographs, I realised there was an entirely new album waiting to be written. There was simply too much more to say about Mars – musically and spiritually – not to return.” – Rick Wakeman
At a time when space exploration has moved back to the forefront of human endeavour — with missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond once again capturing the world’s imagination — “Return To The Red Planet” feels both timely and 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 and geological epochs, drawing directly on the remarkable images and research that have transformed our understanding of Mars in recent years, Wakeman immersing himself in planetary research, data, and mission reports before a single note was written.