Van der Graaf Generator - Orbital Mechanics (Mint Pearl Vinyl)

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Mint Pearl Vinyl
Release Date Dec 18, 2026
Pre-order Regular price $40.00
Pre-order Release Date: Dec 18, 2026
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Product details

  • Label Gemini Records
  • Format 1 x Vinyl LP
  • Format details Mint Pearl Vinyl
  • Media 1 x LP
  • Release date Dec 18, 2026
  • Region UK
  • Genres Rock
  • Catalog number GEMLP1004
  • UPC 5055892201511
Releases Dec 18, 2026

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Mint Pearl Vinyl

Seven performances taped for BBC radio's Sounds of the 70s at the corporation's Maida Vale studios in London across 1970 and 1971, gathered onto a single LP by Gemini. The sessions catch Van der Graaf Generator in the four-piece form that made the band's first run of Charisma albums: Peter Hammill on vocals, piano and guitar, Hugh Banton on organ and bass pedals, Guy Evans on drums, and David Jackson on saxophones and flute.

The selection draws on the records the group was making at the time. "Darkness", "Refugees" and "After the Flood" come from The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other, issued in February 1970; "Killer" from H to He, Who Am the Only One, released later the same year; and "Man-Erg" from Pawn Hearts, which followed in November 1971.

"Theme One" sits apart from the rest. It is a George Martin composition, written as the original closing theme for BBC Radio 1. Van der Graaf Generator recorded their own version at Trident Studios in 1971 and issued it as a non-album single in February 1972. John Peel took to playing the group's reading in place of Martin's orchestral original when he closed the station down each night, and the BBC carried on using it afterwards. Martin called it "a powerful recording that respected the original".

The label presents these performances as their first appearance on vinyl. Single LP, pressed on mint pearl vinyl, catalogue number GEMLP1004.

Tracklist

  1. Theme One
  2. After the Flood
  3. Visions
  4. Darkness
  5. Refugees
  6. Man-Erg
  7. Killer

UPC: 5055892201511
Label: Gemini Records
Release Date: 12.18.26
Format: Vinyl