Jon Anderson – Olias of Sunhillow – 180g 33RPM Mofi Vinyl LP

Jon Anderson nearly drove himself insane making Olias of Sunhillow. That’s not a figure of speech. By his own admission, the Yes singer pushed himself to such extreme limits working on his first solo album that he began questioning his creative decisions and state of mind. Yet Anderson’s labor of love ultimately resulted in a cosmic set that immediately became a hybrid prog-psychedelic favorite that stands as one of the most revered cult classics in the rock canon.

Reissued in celebration of its 50th anniversary, strictly limited to 2,000 numbered copies, and only the second domestic vinyl version of the record since its initial 1976 release, Mobile Fidelity’s 180g 33RPM LP presents Olias of Sunhillow in audiophile sound for the first time. The complexities of Anderson’s extravagant array of ambient landscapes, new-age synthesizers, and signature vocals are resolved and laid out amid black backgrounds that deeply immerse you in the transportative music. The British legend’s cornucopia of exotic and familiar instrumentation — he famously played every note on the record — now seems even more impressive and impossible.

A short list of what you’ll hear emerge with sharp clarity, defined imaging, and spectacular detail from the Fidelity-pressed LP: keyboards spanning a Minimoog to Korg, Rhodes electric piano, double manual Mellotron, baby grand piano, a church organ; stringed instruments encompassing Martin and Gibson acoustic guitars, a Hofner bass, mandocello, sitar, bouzouki, and saz; percussive devices that range from wood blocks, tambourines, cymbals, gongs, and cowbells to xylophone, marimba, and glockenspiel; and additional tools such as Caribbean long drums, African wooden flutes, Navajo drums, Celtic harp, and tabla.

Just as notable: The album’s prized packaging and lavish artwork receive their just due. Made by Stoughton, the super-deluxe jacket faithfully replicates the original gatefold design featuring an inner hinged panel and embossed textures. Directly tied in with Anderson’s storylines as complementary visual components, David Fairbrother-Roe’s intricate illustrations pop with color, dimensionality, and flair. Akin to the striking imagery on the cover and inside, the accompanying script-style text is rendered as if it was published in a custom-bound copy of a sci-fi book. Properly scaled lyrics and credits, too, further put Anderson’s vision into perspective. (Please note: Due to the elaborate packaging and treatment, this Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab title has a higher price than the label’s other 180g 33RPM LPs.)

Inspired by author Vera Stanley Adler’s The Initiation of the World, Anderson conceived a tale regarding four native tribes — Nagrunium, Asatranius, Oractaniom, Nordranious — who each exist through a distinct musical consciousness and whose home planet of Sunhillow is threatened by a volcanic eruption. Forced to flee and find a new destination, they are led to safety by the magician Olias, who builds the Moorglade Mover ark out of trees and fish for transportation; the harp-proficient magician Ranyart, who serves as the navigator in outer space; and the mystic Qoquag, whose trance singing persuades the reluctant tribal groups to embark on the voyage.

Though everyone makes it out before Sunhillow explodes into millions of teardrops, the disorienting force of Moon Ra and subsequent panic introduce additional challenges. Yet Olias prevails, with Anderson’s tapestries reflecting his titular character’s language of love and life. Olias of Sunhillow ends on a high note as, even though the tribes go their own ways after the ship lands on Asguard, the three magicians scale the planet’s highest mountain and bond with the universe. Nature, humanity, hope, and elevated consciousness coalesce in memorable fashion.

Grand in scope, symphonic in scale, and epic in execution — Anderson went to such lengths as writing four separate compositional motifs to represent each of the tribes as they enter the ark; taught himself how to play dozens of instruments; invented a language and unique voices for “Sound Out the Galleon”; used more than 100 tracks to make the album; and spent stressful days attempting to synchronize everything in the mixing stage only to finally succeed after falling asleep at the console — Olias of Sunhillow invites listeners to set sail on a wondrous journey.

Hop aboard.

Track Listing

Side A
Ocean Song
Meeting (Garden of Geda)
Sound Out the Galleon
Dance of Ranyart
Olias (To Build the Moorglade)
Qoquaq Ën Transic
Naon
Transic Tö
Flight of the Moorglade

Side B
Solid Space
Moon Ra
Chords
Song of Search
To the Runner