Mike Oldfield: Hergest Ridge (50th Anniversary) (2LP)

Originally released in 1974 and departing from the shifting mix of prog and folk influences first explored on Mike Oldfield's debut "Tubular Bells", Oldfield's much-anticipated follow-up "Hergest Ridge" develops a charm all of its own. Softer and calmer, atmospheric and haunting, "Hergest Ridge" is a swan song to the soothing environment Oldfield enveloped himself in immediately after the overwhelming success of his debut. "Hergest Ridge" is the follow-up to "Tubular Bells" and a largely instrumental album composed, produced and mostly recorded by Mike Oldfield himself in the spring of 1974. It reached number 1 in the British charts straight away and was replaced by its predecessor after three weeks (something only the Beatles and Bob Dylan managed to do apart from him). "Hergest Ridge" is the next step in the "first three" anniversary editions of Mike Oldfield's groundbreaking early work. Following the top 20 UK chart success of 'Tubular Bells' in 2023, the UK No.1 follow-up has been half-speed mastered at Abbey Road with new artwork approved by Mike, who has written a brand new short cover note out of retirement. This is the first time ever that both mixes have been released together on vinyl - the original 1974 Half-Speed mix, mastered by Miles Showell; and for the first time on vinyl, Mike Oldfield's mix of the 2010 album.