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After sprouting some new stylistic branches on Please Don't Touch, Steve Hackett did a bit of pruning for his next effort, Spectral Mornings. This is decidedly a 'back to basics' British progressive rock album, if we can say that, not quite as flamboyantly prog as his debut Voyage of the Acolyte. At this time, Steve had assembled a working band around him, rather than the roster of guesting musicians from other bands that marked his previous albums. "Every Day" begins as an upbeat, anthem with three part harmonies, but in its second half quickly spins out into the soaring guitar instrumentals for which Hackett is known. Offering quieter complements are "The Gypsy and the Virgin," along with the solo classical guitar piece "A Night in Cordoba." There's also a dark humor break right smack in the middle with Terry Gilliam flare, "Ballad of the Decomposing Man." The most exceptional moments on the disc, however, are to be found in "The Red Flower of Tachai Blooms Everywhere," a track approaching the level of enchantment to be found on "Hands of the Priestess" from Acolyte. Also standing out prominently is the expressive instrumental title track, another popular favorite where Hackett really gets to sink those fingers into the frets. The music on Spectral Mornings is consistently strong, though the album as a whole has never quite managed to completely blow me away. Hackett's next studio album, Defector, would continue in the same vein as this album, since it featured much the same band personnel. While I largely prefer it to this one, most other fans disagree. These small split hairs aside, the general consensus among fans is that Spectral Mornings is prime Hackett. review by Joe McGlinchey — 3-2-03 —

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Former Genesis guitarist's third solo album from 1979. You can really hear how important his contribution to the music and sound of Genesis was. Of all his releases, this is my personal favorite (and I have them all). There is a good mix of of music, atmosphere, and texture. "Everyday" is a great uptempo piece that ends with one of Steve's most inspired solos on record. "The Virgin and the Gypsy" is an acoustic vocal track that, along with "The Red Flower of Tachai Blooms Everywhere", has an Asian influence in the music. "Clocks" is a very instrumental piece with lots of guitar work and a very cool feel to the song. "The Ballad of the Decomposing Man" makes you want to drink something that has rum and a straw umbrella in it and relax on a tropical island. "Lost Time in Cordoba" is a classical guitar piece, and in later years Steve would release two acoustic classical based albums. "Tigermoth" starts out instrumental with some nice mellotron and has a vocal at the end. The title track is an instrumental with another trademark Hackett solo that ends the record. The music of Steve Hackett has remained fresh over many years and he is much more than a guitar player, but also a writer, arranger and composer. Any fan of progressive music should add this to their collection. For me, the early records really have something magical about and it is always a pleasure to take this one out and listen. review by Eric Porter — 5-29-00 —