For a small country, England has a huge legacy of unparalleled musical artistry, most of which never makes it across that wide sea. And few labels these days are better suited to chronicle that underrated and prodigious output of U.K. pop than Angel Air. Among the label’s finest 2008 CD releases include a pair of CD releases featuring U.K. journeyman musician Mike Read. First off, Read’s Singles collects 24 pop / rock tracks cut by Read with his own group and other bands he fronted including Trainspotters, Ghosts, Rock-olas and more. Solid U.K. pop featuring Read’s vocals and guitars, Singles combines a bunch of long sought after tracks under one roof. On a newer note, Angel Air brings the Mike Read story up to date with a freshly recorded 2008 double CD set entitled Sound Of Poetry. Credited to U.K. poet icon Sir John Betjeman and Mike Read, Sound Of Poetry features the poems of Sir John put to music by Read and the result is an engaging mix of scenic pop and English folk music that offers a wide spectrum of musical delights. Originally Read took his idea to Beatles producer Sir George Martin, who’s credited with producing some of the first tracks Read recorded for the collection. A meticulous craftsman in the studio, Read enlisted some of the biggest name vocalists in English and American pop for this project including Sir Cliff Richard, the late Gene Pitney, Donovan, Don McLean, Jon Anderson of Yes, Colin Blunstone, Leo Sayer, Annie Haslam, Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and more, including Read acquitting himself on the infectious pop groove of a track called “Distant View.” With the help of these incredible singers and a fine backing group—including bass hero Herbie Flowers and guitarists Torn Tourney and Hugh Burns—Read’s lyrical pop vision is successfully realized on Sound Of Poetry. In addition, both of these releases features in depth liner notes. www.AngelAir.co.uk

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