Rob Reed to release his own Tubular Bells

Magenta and Kompendium mastermind Rob Reed will release a solo album called Sanctuary – and it's his personal version of Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells.

He’s even tied in Oldfield collaborators Tom Newman and Simon Heyworth, who respectively co-produced and mastered the new work.

Reed was inspired to become a musician after hearing the iconic 1973 album at the age of seven, and learned to play all the instruments used on the record. Last year he decided to focus his abilities on creating his own one-man project – and with the exception of the Synergy Vocals choir, singer Anghared Brinn and some percussion by Newman, he played grand piano, guitars, bass, mandolin, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba, timpani, banjo, recorders, organ – and, of course, tubular bells.

He says: “I wanted to play all the instruments, and for them all to be real – no synthesisers. The next four weeks were a bit of a blur as the music just came out. It turned out to be the most enjoyable album I’ve made.” But he aimed to ensure Sanctuary wasn’t just a Tubular Bells rip-off, noting: “I worked hard to make the melodies stand on their own.”

And the result has been successful for at least one listener. “Simon Heyworth told me that when he heard it, he closed his eyes and he was back in Manor Studios in 1973.”

Reed hopes to perform the two-part work live with a 12-piece band soon. Sanctuary is released on July 21 via Tigermoth Records. A 180g vinyl will be available via Plane Groovy, and each copy will come with a download coupon.

Rob Reed: Sanctuary teaser

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Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.