Along with Julian Bream, Australian-born John Williams is in the very front rank of guitarists to have graced the recent classical scene. Yet while Bream advanced the cause by commissioning and playing classical works by new composers, Williams preferred to approach and absorb other strains of music – notably pop and jazz. That process of adventurous assimilation continues to this day, although his most recent influences have come from Africa and South America.

John took his first eclectic steps into the popular realm in the 1970s, and it’s from that historic decade that we draw the recordings for this compilation. Specifically, for the first time, Salvo, in tandem with Fly, are delighted to present every track from his three Fly/Cube albums on one compilation.

Changes (1971) includes the first recording of Cavatina, an immensely popular composition that has since become John’s signature piece; The Height Below (1973) saw John work with Beatles producer George Martin for the first time; while Travelling (1978) culminated in the formation of the tremendously successful instrumental group Sky.

With access to the original tapes, we are pleased to have unearthed a delightful, previously unheard (and unedited) session take of Cavatina (aka Walking Stick). We have also added the rare UK singles edits of Bach Changes and Travelling, all of which ensures that this is the most comprehensive reissue yet for three of John’s finest albums containing some of his most commercially successful and enduring recordings.