Renaissance

Originally formed by ex-Yardbirds Jim McCarty and Keith Relf, Renaissance underwent many line-up changes before they became the jazz-inspired progressive folk act that brought us the classic Ashes Are Burning.  Featuring vocalist Annie Haslam, John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, vocals), Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) and Michael Dunfor on guitar, Ashes Are Burning was Renaissance’s breakthrough album.  With classics like “Can You Understand,” “At The Harbour,” and the epic, Doctor Zhivago-quoting title track, the 1973 album established Renaissance as one of the finest of a growing group of progressive rockers.

Now, Esoteric has remastered the album, using the original Sovereign Records master tapes, and expanded it with a previously unreleased, newly unearthed 1974 BBC session for In Concert.  The new edition also boasts restored artwork and new liner notes featuring essays and interviews with Terry Sullivan and Annie Haslam.

Available on February 22 in the U.K. and March 1 in the U.S.