Sky: Toccata - An Anthology (Deluxe Remastered Edition) 2CD/1DVD

• A NEW REMASTERED ARTIST APPROVED LIMITED EDITION 3 DISC (2CD / DVD: NTSC – Region Free) DIGIPACK ANTHOLOGY BY THE MASTERS OF CLASSICAL ROCK – SKY
• FEATURING A BONUS DVD OF SKY’s ENTIRE 1980 PERFORMANCE ON THE GERMAN TV SHOW "MUSIKLADEN” INCLUDING 5 PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED & UN-BROADCAST TRACKS FROM THE CONCERT
• CD INCLUDES THE SINGLE VERSION OF ‘KP II’ – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD
• REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES

Esoteric Recordings is pleased to announce the release of a newly compiled and re-mastered 2 CD anthology by the legendary classical rock band SKY. 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 band’s 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. Also a huge live attraction, SKY released their second album in April 1980. "SKY 2” was a fine achievement, featuring the hit single ‘Toccata’, and topped the UK album charts upon its release. For the band’s third album, STEVE GRAY replaced Francis Monkman on keyboards, but the band continued their run of success as SKY 3 reached the UK top ten upon its release in March 1981. The albums "SKY 4”, "SKY FIVE LIVE” and "CADMIUM” continued the run of best-selling albums, following which JOHN WILLIAMS departed the band in December 1983. In March 1985, the album "The Great Balloon Race” was recorded in Australia and the UK, becoming 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.

This limited 2CD / DVD edition of "Toccata – An Anthology” compiles some of the highlights of Sky’s recording career, with a track listing approved by the band, including the single version of ‘KP II’ (previously unreleased on CD). Importantly, the release features a bonus DVD of SKY’s entire performance for the German TV show "Musikladen” in 1980, including five tracks not aired on the original TV broadcast and previously unreleased on DVD.

This collection serves as a celebration of one of the most original musical forces of the late 1970s and 1980s.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
1. WESTWAY
2. CANNONBALL
3. CARILLON
4. DANZA
5. DIES IRAE
6. TOCCATA
7. FIFO
8. HOTTA
9. DANCE OF THE LITTLE FAIRIES
10. VIVALDI
11. THE GRACE
12. CHIROPODIE NO. 1
13. SARABANDE
14. CONNECTING ROOMS

DISC TWO
1. MY GISELLE
2. MASQUERADE
3. RIDE OF THE VALKYRIES
4. FANTASIA
5. THE ANIMALS (Live)
6. A GIRL IN WINTER
7. FAYRE
8. TROIKA
9. THE BOY FROM DUNDEE
10. FOOL ON THE HILL
11. THE GREAT BALLOON RACE
12. DESPERATE FOR YOUR LOVE
13. PETER’S WEDDING
14. NIGHT SKY
15. KP II (Single Version)
16. COME SWEET MAY
17. EINE KLEINE NACHTMUSIK: ROMANZA

DISC THREE: DVD
SKY- MUSIKLADEN 1980

NTSC REGION FREE

1. WESTWAY
2. DANZA
3. CAVATINA
4. CANNONBALL
5. GYMNOPEDIA NO. 1
6. DANCE OF THE LITTLE FAIRIES *
7. SAHARA *
8. EL CIELO *
9. CARILLON
10. TOCCATA *
11. TUBA SMARTIES *
12. WHERE OPPOSITES MEET PARTS 1 – 5

* previously unreleased
un-broadcast tracks