Carillon: The Singles Collection 1979-1987

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a 2 CD collection which gathers together the A-sides and B-sides of every single released by the legendary classical rock band SKY between 1979 and 1987. Formed in 1979, Sky brought together the worlds of rock and classical music in a highly successful and inspiring way. Featuring the gifted talents of guitarist JOHN WILLIAMS, percussionist TRISTAN FRY, legendary bass player HERBIE FLOWERS, former Curved Air keyboard player FRANCIS MONKMAN and guitarist KEVIN PEEK, Sky recorded their debut album at Abbey Road studios in the early months of 1979. The bands self-titled debut reached the UK top ten in May 1979 and went on to achieve Platinum status in the UK and was also a major hit in Europe and Australia. This impressive debut also heralded a string of hit singles in Europe and Australia. Also a huge live attraction, SKY released their second album in April 1980. SKY 2 was a fine achievement, and featured the huge single Toccata. For the bands third album, STEVE GRAY replaced Francis Monkman on keyboards, but the band continued their run of successful albums and singles. Following the albums SKY 4, SKY FIVE LIVE and CADMIUM, JOHN WILLIAMS departed the band in December 1983. In March 1985, Sky released the album The Great Balloon Race (recorded in Australia and the UK), another hit album. In 1987 they recorded their final album, which saw SKY arrange pieces composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. MOZART featured the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner and earned the group their highest ever US chart placing upon release.

Carillon The Singles Collection is the first ever compilation to focus on the A & B-sides of every single released by the band and includes rare seven-inch single edits of Dies Irae, Desperate For Your Love and The Great Balloon Race which appear on CD for the very first time. It serves as a fine celebration of the singles by one of the most original musical forces of the late 1970s and 1980s.