Billy Thorpe's long-lost space rock opera, Children of the Sun, is finally back in print after more than three decades. This classic rock deep cut, featuring a powerhouse band including session ace Leland Sklar on bass and drummer Alvin Taylor, originally arrived in 1979. Despite its success, the album's impact was short-lived, leaving Thorpe and those involved disappointed. The producer, Spencer Proffer, who became more well-known for his association with Quiet Riot, later returned to Thorpe's album, remixing and altering it for a new release in 1987 titled Children of the Sun... Revisited. However, the original 1979 album remained largely unavailable for over three decades, appearing on CD only once in Thorpe's native Australia. Now, thanks to Jeremy Holiday of Iconoclassic Records, the situation has been remedied with a fresh reissue that has been substantially overhauled, featuring a full remaster, expansive liner notes, and new interviews. This immersive experience has allowed Holiday to learn more about the album and its creators, including the fact that it was the very first album recorded at the Pasha Music House studio. The reissue project was an adventure, with Holiday and his team having to locate original 1/4" album production masters and work with various companies to ensure the rights were in order. Proffer remains proud of the album, which he describes as a stunning listen and an interesting musical time capsule. In my opinion, this reissue is a testament to the enduring appeal of Thorpe's music and a welcome addition to the rock opera genre. It's a fascinating insight into the creative process and a reminder of the power of music to transcend time and space.
