Rick Wakeman - Return To The Red Planet [CD + Blu-ray]

Cat. no: SMACD1377
Format: CD CD + Blu-ray
Barcode: 636551837774
Release Date: 16 Oct 2026
Genre: Rock

THE EPIC RETURN TO MARS FROM RICK WAKEMAN

A NEW PROGRESSIVE ROCK SUITE INSPIRED BY BOTH PAST & THE LATEST DISCOVERIES ON THE RED PLANET

FEATURING LEE POMEROY, DAVE COLQUHOUN, ADAM FALKNER & MOLLIE MARRIOTT

GATEFOLD BLACK VINYL 2LP VERSION

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

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.

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.

Praise for The Red Planet (2020):

"An astonishing return to form...Wakeman at his most imaginative" - Prog Magazine

"A richly detailed symphonic rock journey" - Classic Rock

Wakeman needs little introduction. A central figure during his many years with Yes, he is also one of the most successful solo artists in progressive rock history, with a catalogue of over one hundred albums & global sales in the tens of millions. His career as a session musician includes landmark recordings with David Bowie, Elton John, Cat Stevens & many more, establishing him as one of the most distinctive keyboard voices of his generation.

This 2LP edition of 'Return To The Red Planet' is presented in gatefold packaging & pressed on black vinyl.

CD CD + Blu-ray Tracks: The Jezero Crater (06:56) / Bowie's Vision (05:45) / Noctis Labyrinthus (05:28) / Noachis Terra (Land Of Noah) (06:23) / Witch Hazel Hill (04:02) / St. Paul's Bay (06:53) / Martian Dust Devils (04:53) / Medusae Fossae (04:26) / The Epochs Of Mars (07:45) / The Jezero Crater (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / HiRes Stereo ) (06:56) / Bowie's Vision (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (05:45) / Noctis Labyrinthus (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (05:28) / Noachis Terra (Land Of Noah) (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi-Res Stereo ) (06:23) / Witch Hazel Hill (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (04:02) / St. Paul's Bay (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (06:53) / Martian Dust Devils (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (04:53) / Medusae Fossae (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (04:26) / The Epochs Of Mars (Dolby Atmos / 5.1 Mix / Hi- Res Stereo ) (07:45) / The Making Of 'Return To The Red Planet' (Documentary Film) ( 29:46)