One of the most underrated British artists, John Hackett inhabits two worlds at the same time: that of progressive rock, especially when he leads a band whose latest platter saw the light of day in 2025, and that of symphonic music – although the flautist’s last solo offering, "The Piper Plays His Tune" from 2020, also drew on pop. Still, his next endeavor, ready to be issued on October 23rd, will present something completely different – perhaps closer in style to "Velvet Afternoon" than to what the veteran has recorded in recent years.
The “Of Mountains And Fields” album consists of two classical suites, the first dedicated to the heroes of the First World War with whom John has a personal connection, and the second to an Italian village that Hackett has visited several times and fallen in love with. Deploying not only reeds but also ivories, and creating orchestral arrangements using samples of the BBC Symphony Orchestra, he has come up with an endearing work of understated grandeur. Read the review.
Of Mountains And Fields
War Suite:
1. Country Dance
2. Enlistment
3. Estaminet
4. Despair
5. Where Poppies Grow
6. Demobbed
7. To Have And To Hold
Cerqueto Suite:
8. Il Gran
Sasso All’alba
9. Il Museo
10 La Capanna
11. Il Bar
12. La Fontana
Delle Pecore
13. La Chiesa Di Santa Reparata
14. Il Gran Sasso Al Crepuscolo
