Jon Hassell To Reissue ‘Vernal Equinox’

The 'Fourth World' pioneer's 1977 album has been fully remastered

Jon Hassell’s 1977 album Vernal Equinox is being reissued.

Set to be made available again on vinyl for the first time in 42 years, and CD for the first time in 30 years, the record has been fully remastered for its updated release.

Vernal Equinox was the first commercially released work by Hassell and was originally put out by Lovely Music. It was the first glimpse into the sound that Hassell pioneered that would later go on to be known as ‘Fourth World’. It sees Hassell playing an FX-aided trumpet alongside a studio ensemble that includes Brazilian percussionist Naná Vasconcelos and David Rosenboom on synth.

The reissue of Vernal Equinox is due out on March 20. It will come with sleevenotes by Brian Eno and Jon Hassell himself. It’s the second release on Hassell’s own label, Ndeya, following on from his 2018 album. Listening To Pictures (Pentimento Volume One).

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