Esoteric Antenna and Cherry Red Records released Relativity, the new studio album by John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest.
Years in development, Relativity stretches 78 minutes and explores themes of human and cosmic connection. Produced by the band and mixed by Stephen W Tayler (Kate Bush, Rush, Tina Turner), the album showcases the collaborative work of John Lees, Craig Fletcher, Jez Smith, and Kevin Whitehead. It draws on the legacy of Barclay James Harvest.
Formed after the original Barclay James Harvest disbanded in 1998, John Lees’ Barclay James Harvest includes founding member John Lees, longtime collaborators Fletcher and Whitehead, and since 2009, keyboardist Jez Smith. The group originally featured keyboardist Woolly Wolstenholme, who rejoined Lees for the band’s early years before his death in 2010.
Their previous album, North (2013), received critical praise. Lees was honored with the Visionary Award at the 2018 Prog Awards. The band has continued to tour across Europe, most recently in 2023 with sold-out shows and a live recording featuring an 80-piece orchestra (Philharmonic!).
Barclay James Harvest’s history stretches over five decades, marked by platinum albums such as Gone to Earth and landmark concerts—including performances before 175,000 at Berlin’s Reichstag and 170,000 in East Berlin’s Treptower Park. Songs like “Mocking Bird,” “Child of the Universe,” and “Hymn” have become staples of the progressive rock canon.