Cadmium (album)

Cadmium (stylized "cadmium…") is the sixth album by the progressive-classical rock band Sky, released in November 1983. The album contents were a mixture of Sky traditions and new elements – it contained a classical-rock arrangement of Prokofiev's "Sleigh Ride" (from the "Lieutenant Kijé Suite"), alongside seven original compositions and the first examples of commissioned compositions from contemporary writers from outside the band (in this case, Kevin Peek's old friend and fellow Cliff Richard collaborator Alan Tarney, who provided two original tunes). The colour of the album cover is primarily cadmium yellow, a pigment used by painters.

In February 1984, John Williams parted company with Sky, returning to a full-time classical career. Williams had previously hinted that his work with Sky had been intended as a five-year stint. In 2015, Esoteric Recordings continued a schedule of remasters and expanded releases with this recording.

Track listing
Side 1
 * 1) "Troika" (Sergei Prokofiev/Auth. Arr. Tristan Fry) – 3:00
 * 2) "Fayre" (Kevin Peek) – 3:07
 * 3) "A Girl in Winter" (Alan Tarney) – 3:30
 * 4) "Mother Russia" (Steve Gray) – 6:53
 * 5) "Telex From Peru" (Herbie Flowers) – 8:10

Side 2
 * 1) "The Boy From Dundee" (Herbie Flowers) – 5:21
 * 2) "Night" (Kevin Peek) – 3:54
 * 3) "Then & Now" (Tristan Fry) – 3:25
 * 4) "Return to Me" (Alan Tarney) – 3:50
 * 5) "Son of Hotta" (Steve Gray) – 6:59

Musicians

 * Tristan Fry – Drums (Premier), Percussion (Sleigh Bells, Latin Percussion), Besson B Flat Trumpet with cup mute.
 * Kevin Peek – Guitars (Gibson L5S, Fender Stratocaster).
 * Steve Gray – Keyboards (William De Blaise Harpsichord, Roland Jupiter 8, Yamaha DX-7, Synton Syrinx, Oberheim OBX A, Roland Juno 60, Yamaha CS 01 – BC1 ("Gobsynth"), Steinway grand piano, Harpsichord/OBX A – Piano/JP8 (Interface developed by Andrew Jones)).
 * Herbie Flowers – Bass (Fender Jazz Bass, Old English String Bass)
 * John Williams – Guitars (Takamine 15E, Greg Smallman Classical).

Production

 * Produced by: SKY, Tony Clark and Haydn Bendall
 * Engineered by: Tony Clark
 * Recorded with Mobile 1 Recording Studio and at EMI Abbey Road Studio Three.
 * Mixed at: EMI Abbey Road Studio Three.
 * Mastered by: Chris Blair
 * Management: Peter Lyster-Todd
 * Art Direction: Nick Marchant
 * Design: Torchlight, London