Cadmium (Sky album)

Sky released their sixth album, Cadmium, in December 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.

Contents

• Track listing
• Musicians
• Production
• Songs
• References

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. His departure damaged Sky's profile, as he had remained the band's biggest star and live draw despite their efforts to present themselves as a partnership of equals.

In 2015 Esoteric Recordings continued a schedule of remasters and expanded releases with this recording.