Jon Anderson Olias of Sunhillow MFSL vinyl (Use code: FREESHIPPING at Checkout Two Orders or More UK Only

Jon Anderson nearly drove himself insane making Olias of Sunhillow. That's not a figure of speech. By his own admission, the Yes singer pushed himself to such extreme limits working on his first solo album that he began questioning his creative decisions and state of mind. Yet Anderson's labor of love ultimately resulted in a cosmic set that immediately became a hybrid prog-psychedelic favorite that stands as one of the most revered cult classics in the rock canon.

Reissued in celebration of its 50th anniversary, strictly limited to 2,000 numbered copies, and only the second domestic vinyl version of the record since its initial 1976 release, Mobile Fidelity's 180g 33RPM LP presents Olias of Sunhillow in audiophile sound for the first time. The complexities of Anderson's extravagant array of ambient landscapes, new-age synthesizers, and signature vocals are resolved and laid out amid black backgrounds that deeply immerse you in the transportative music. The British legend's cornucopia of exotic and familiar instrumentation — he famously played every note on the record — now seems even more impressive and impossible.

A short list of what you'll hear emerge with sharp clarity, defined imaging, and spectacular detail from the Fidelity-pressed LP: keyboards spanning a Minimoog to Korg, Rhodes electric piano, double manual Mellotron, baby grand piano, a church organ; stringed instruments encompassing Martin and Gibson acoustic guitars, a Hofner bass, mandocello, sitar, bouzouki, and saz; percussive devices that range from wood blocks, tambourines, cymbals, gongs, and cowbells to xylophone, marimba, and glockenspiel; and additional tools such as Caribbean long drums, African wooden flutes, Navajo drums, Celtic harp, and tabla.

Just as notable: The album's prized packaging and lavish artwork receive their just due. Made by Stoughton, the super-deluxe jacket faithfully replicates the original gatefold design featuring an inner hinged panel and embossed textures. Directly tied in with Anderson's storylines as complementary visual components, David Fairbrother-Roe's intricate illustrations pop with color, dimensionality, and flair. Akin to the striking imagery on the cover and inside, the accompanying script-style text is rendered as if it was published in a custom-bound copy of a sci-fi book. Properly scaled lyrics and credits, too, further put Anderson's vision into perspective. (Please note: Due to the elaborate packaging and treatment, this Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab title has a higher price than the label's other 180g 33RPM LPs.)