A member of Gong at his most solid stage between 1972 and 1975, Steve Hillage would debut solo with the album "Fish Rising" in 1975, combining Gong's conceptual magic with the solid skills of avant-garde guitarist and musician.
After several very interesting works such as "L" (1976) with the production of Todd Rundgren and recorded with the members of Utopia, Hillage begins a new horizon with more intense themes and a greater creative concentration.
After the great "Motivation Radio" (1977) and "Green" (1978) the direct double "Live Herald" was released, when the guitarist's career was at its best.
With a repertoire based primarily on his first three albums "Fish rising", "L" (appearing almost entirely) and "Motivation Radio",
the sound quality is excellent throughout the album, however Hillage adds a tougher touch to many of the compositions, giving a distinctive touch to the final work, Steve's guitar work sounds spectacular, supported all the time by synthesized tones of string synthesizers with a full band of rapport. Arguably, this album represents the peak moment of one of the great rock guitarists.
In addition to Hillage, his colleagues Pierre Moerlen, Tim Blake, Mike Howlett, Miquette Giraudy and Didier Malherbe participated in the recording, in addition to the former members of National Health and Hatfield and The North; Dave Stewart and former Henry Cow member Lindsay Cooper.
In this first album Hillage develops a repertoire of long songs, most of them instrumental and complex.
In many ways and of course it sounds like the characteristic classic Gong label, like the suite "The Salmon Song", or the free jazz fusion "Fish", and there are even approaches to the King Crimson sound in the song "Meditation Of The Snake" .
"Fish Rising" is an album of exquisite musical genius and the ultimate springboard for Steve Hillage who would later leave his mother band to pursue his own solo career.
