If it should exist an album issued from the GENESIS family without to have its name , this one is with no doubt the one ! The Absolute reference of magic PROGROCK, with GENESIS inspiration ! Behind that marvelous covers done by KIM POOR ( the STEVE's Wife ) and this LORD OF THE RINGS looks like , was really hidden the whole ingredients from the MAGIC, in fact the SORCERER's POWER owned by the majority of the GENESIS members in the middle 70's . We are ( remind us ) in the year 1975 and Steve HACKETT, who feel him strongly frustrated with GENESIS since the PETER GABRIEL leaving, thiks to assure is musical future having good feeling that without the archange, the GENESIS music will be mutating surely !
When he decided to release its 1st solo album , ( Whose remains still its best and one of the BEST Progressive CLASSICS ),HACKETT does proofs that he will not doing participation to that coming PROGRESSIVE FRUSTRATED which haunted the late seventies , seeing the summit of the Punk music and the capitalist vocation decided by the music industry. So , when putting completely his playing and his songwriting desire, Steve HACKETT won here the wager to continues GENESIS with a most orientated GUITAR form , where the band now with PHIL COLLINS as mentor, has decided otherwise .
As proof the album beggins with a 7/4 signature, with in my tastes , the Perfect instrumental named ACE OF WANDS . But like after all , Hackett was not seeking to stop the GENESIS style ( in contary ) , he confirms by splendids guitar parts , as only STEVE HACKETT can do , helped by MIKE RUTHERFORD to the bass , with PHIL COLLINS singing & drumming but also SALLY OLDFIELD ( Yes , the MIKE OLDFIELD's sister ) who gave a new splendor to the style when singing on SHADOWS OF THE HIEROPHANT enhanced by one of the most beautiful Guitar parts from the album !
All along , this VOYAGE OF THE ACOLYTE , seems really too short ( only 40 minutes )because it's a MARVEL must be the first buying by the GENESIS fan achieving his collection , exepted it's with Nursery Crime , FOXTROT , SELLING ENGLAND by THE POUND , THE LAMB LIES DOWN ON BROADWAY one of the 5 ESSENTIAL from the GENESIS able to mesmerize you with few notes !

Reviewer : Michael Reese