STEVE HACKETT Voyage Of The Acolyte (1975 UK first issue 8-track LP on the small 'Madhatter' label. A landmark debut that signalled a bold new creative chapter, Voyage Of The Acolyte by Steve Hackett is a richly atmospheric and deeply expressive work that firmly established his identity beyond Genesis. Released in 1975, this LP blends symphonic grandeur with pastoral delicacy, creating a soundscape that is both expansive and intimate. Drawing on the talents of several familiar collaborators — including Phil Collins and Mike Rutherford — the album retains a strong progressive pedigree while allowing Hackett’s distinctive guitar voice to take centre stage. His playing shifts effortlessly from fluid electric leads to intricate acoustic passages, often imbued with a lyrical, almost classical sensibility. From the haunting beauty of ‘Ace Of Wands’ to the sweeping, melancholic tones of ‘Hands Of The Priestess’, the album unfolds like a musical journey through myth and memory. The epic ‘Shadow Of The Hierophant’, featuring the ethereal vocals of Sally Oldfield, provides a powerful and emotive centrepiece — building gradually from reflective calm to a soaring, choral climax that lingers long after the final note. Housed in a striking sleeve adorned with evocative artwork by Kim Poor, Voyage Of The Acolyte is as visually captivating as it is sonically immersive. A beautifully crafted and enduring release, it remains a cornerstone of 1970s progressive rock and a vital addition for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The sleeve shows a small number annotation and vintage sticker blemish top right and mild shelfwear but nothing too excessive, whilst the vinyl shows minimal signs of play CAS1111).