Aussie Kevin Peek came to our attention with the classical/rock fusion band Sky in the late seventies, a "supergroup" line-up that also featured John Williams the classical guitarist and Francis Monkman, one-time keyboard player and guitarist with Curved Air. Peek has also been an in-demand session player with the likes of Cliff Richard and Leo Sayer. But we won't hold that against him.

This solo debut released in 1981 has stood the test of time. Peek is less constrained than in Sky and the tunes are very listenable, either upbeat like the title track, 'Manitou' and 'Infinite Dreams', or verging on jazz rock fusion like 'Sidewinder'.

The longer 'Starship Suite' with vocals from co-producer David Reilly features Peek's melodic Hackett-esque guitar figures and is perhaps closest to some of the longer Sky workouts.

Sadly, Peek appears to be a mere footnote on one of the more interesting musical fusions of the late seventies with no apparent website or Wiki entry. 'Awakening' might be just what is needed in more senses than one.

****

Review by David Randall