Steve Hackett Under A Mediterranean Sky

It has been more than a decade since Steve Hackett, formerly of Genesis, released an album of acoustic music.

Like most alumni of the band, he is relentlessly prolific, working almost constantly on new music and exploring new avenues. Under A Mediterranean Sky, his 26th studio album, was inspired by his extensive travels around the region with his wife Jo – travels that now seem like a faint dream.

The guitarist, who turned 70 last year, teases out romance and passion across 11 tracks that span the walled city of Mdina in Malta to the blue of the Croatian coastline.

The only non-original piece is a sonata from the Italian Baroque composer Domenico Scarlatti, a restless piece performed delicately.

On breadth and talent alone, Under A Mediterranean Sky is worth a listen, jumping from flamenco style to Iraqi oud and Andean chango.

It’s a worthy work from a pioneering guitarist and one that will hopefully offer respite to listeners in lockdown.

6/10 Review by Alex Green