NEW ALBUM ! John Simms’ Light Trails ‘Trip Into The Light Fantastic’

Trip Into The Light Fantastic is the second release under the banner ‘John Simms’ Light Trails.’ It takes you on an experiential journey full of twists and unexpected turns, and is entwined with story telling lyrics.

  1. Trip Into The Light Fantastic – opens the album with a dynamic feel, John says he created this to uplift the spirits and we hope it does that for you. Composed, created & performed by John.
  2. First Light – the dawn of the album, light makes us feel amazing! Full spectrum light is what we all need to feel great so make sure you get yours. Composed, created & performed by John. Lyrics, vocal arrangements & vocals by Maxine Marten.
  3. Dreams of The Tellurian – reflecting on the plight of tellurians or dwellers of the earth. The reality of their mortality and dire global issues clashes with the desire to live endlessly with abundant wellbeing. Yet…the Tellurian has hopes for a future of fulfilled dreams. Composed, created & performed by John. Lyrics, vocal arrangements, lead & backing vocals by Maxine Marten.
  4. Transformation – Have you ever had regrets or realised you were wrong? This song is about that. We are all imperfect and fail often. But we can repair, ask forgiveness, and we have the power to change. We just have to want to. Yes, we can all transform, if we gather courage and humility to admit we were wrong. Composed, created & performed by John, including lead vocal. Lyrics, vocal arrangements & backing vocals by Maxine Marten.
  5. Rendezvous In The Stars – this is about a journey into the mysterious universe, going with the desire for a life-changing meeting with someone extraordinary. Who are you meeting? This is the journey to the stars to meet your special someone. Composed, created & performed by John. Featuring David Hendry aka Ohead on additional keyboards & synths.
  6. Together – A song based around the strength of unity and love of fellow humans and the power it creates to achieve and come through adversity. Never lose hope that this exists. There are others on earth that feel just like you do and who long for a world of united people. 
  7. Follow The River – A therapeutic space to relax, encouraging a path of truth and crystal clear thinking, and to face life’s challenges as warrior, using love as a shield throughout your personal journey. Composed, created & performed by John, including lead vocal. Lyrics, vocal arrangements & backing vocals by Maxine Marten.
  8. A Time Before Time – How did our universe begin? How did our 24-hour day come to be? How is it our solar system is like a perfect clock, reliable and awe-inspiring? Yet our universe is infinite, giving a sense of timelessness and eternity. Composed, created & performed by John. Featuring David Hendry aka Ohead on additional keyboards and synths, including the solo.

Original artwork, design and layout by David Hendry

Copyright 2023

Last word from John: ‘I would like to give heartfelt thanks to everyone who have supported me and my music throughout the many active years as a musician. I never follow trends or styles, I do what I do because I love to create, and I am passionate about playing guitar. Music is my therapy, like a form of picture painting. I hope you enjoy my creation and hope it benefits you in some way.’

‘Trip Into The Light Fantastic’ album sound & visual sampler

“100/100 …album of the year!” Geoffrey Penn for House of Prog/ProgPlanet
John Simms’ Light Trails
From the stunning collectors double CD release “Miniatures” released in 2021 by the 62nd Gramophone Company!

SFL Music Magazine

John Simms

Great article on John by the excellent music journalist Brad Kesner. An excellent magazine, highly recommended for lovers of quality music everywhere. SFL Music Magazine is based in Florida, USA. Simply click on the image to read the full article.

ProgPlanet

Thanks to Geoff Penn for declaring John Simms’ Light Trails/Chromatology 100/100 and one of the very best albums of 2020, ‘excellent prog fusion‘. Read his full review right here:

http://www.progplanet.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1254:chromatology&catid=12:cd-reviews&Itemid=1004

House of Prog

Review of John Simms’ Light Trails/Chromatology, and reviewed as ‘top score album‘. Read the full review by g3Progjunkie right here:

https://houseofprog.com/blog/2020/12/09/john-simms-light-trails-chromatology-2020/

BarryLamb.com/Falling A Records

Thanks to writer, record company owner and very fine musician Barry Lamb for an excellent review of John Simms’ Chromatology. “It’s an outstanding album with a beautiful ethereal landscape…John is an outstanding guitarist reminiscent of Steve Hillage or Jeff Beck but would comfortably stand alongside either of them.” Read the full review here:

https://www.barrylamb.com/archive/john-simms-light-trails-chromatology

Acid Dragon

Thanks to the friends at Acid Dragon magazine and to Phil Jackson for his fine review of John Simms’ Light Trails/Chromatology. “I’ve had this album on repeat since it dropped through my door…”

http://aciddragon.eu/index.htm

Phil has a new music book that’s just been published entitled ‘Within You, Without You‘ which we highly recommend.

Stan Hillborn ‘Spaceman Stan’

Thanks to Stan Hilborn, writer, reviewer and radio presenter in Canada for his great review:

“Your new release is a breath of fresh air. There is still the 17 year old boy in the mix, the muse has changed course, and it is all for the betterment of the scale. Some chunk, some reggae, some ethereal, it’s ALL music, and it is from the inner workings, heart, mind, soul, and a wondrous journey to behold. And the blueprint is notes, and how they have staid and stayed to the calling. Thank you for all the music you have made over all these years, and please continue onwards.” Stan Hillborn 🤩

Terrascope

Thanks to the wonderful people at www.terrascope.co.uk for this great review:

Miniatures Special Collectors Double CD presentation from 62nd Gramophone Company

Former Mott The Hoople keyboardist Morgan Fisher released an obscure underground album in 1980 called “Miniatures”. It was effectively a collection of 52 “miniature masterpieces”, i.e. tracks of one minute length or less by a myriad of music legends and cult figures. Although at the time, the album flew pretty much below the radar it has over the years had a lasting and continually growing influence.
Having been profoundly influenced by the album along with many of my contemporaries and peers. Forty years later, a 40th anniversary celebration release will be issued on 15 March 2021 featuring a number of artists from the original and the much loved millennial sequel. Prog legends, experimental pioneers, post punk archetypes. In old terms it’s what would be called a triple album containing 124 Miniature masterpieces.  Initial release will be on CD only.
The album features such legends Toyah, Sonja Kristina (Curved Air), The Residents, John Simms’ Light Trails, Fred Frith, Stewart Lee, Billy Bragg, David Thomas, John Otway, R Stevie Moore, Peter Blegvad, Eyeless In Gaza, The Bevis Frond, Gary Clail, Adrian Sherwood, Henry Kaiser, Atilla the Stockbroker, Terry Riley, Half Japanese, Matmos, Apartment House, Tom Robinson, Bob Drake, Alternative TV, The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Two Headed Emperor, Bringers Of Change, Boo Hewerdine, Shiva Feshareki, Neil Luck, Chris Cutler, Census of Hallucinations and more.

It’s a brilliant collectors piece! Released by the 62nd Gramophone Company!