Justin Hayward - Night Flight (1980) {2004 Remastered Reissue}

Justin Hayward's Night Flight was never too impressive in its original LP release -- the pressing was noisy and the sound was just different enough from his prior records to be off-putting. The quarter century since its release has allowed the recording to age well; additionally, the 2004 remastered edition finally shows off the finer points of producer Jeff Wayne's approach to serious advantage -- the music comes off as lean and spacious, and Hayward's singing displays the power and richness in this reissue to carry the album properly. Additionally, one of the two bonus tracks, a live version of "Forever Autumn" from a concert at San Juan Capistrano, extends the value of the CD considerably, as a previously unreleased version of the song that started Hayward's professional relationship with Wayne and led to the recording of the original LP (in addition to being one of the prettiest songs with which Hayward has ever been associated).