Andrew Poppy

The 40th anniversary edition of Andrew Poppy’s The Beating of Wings, originally released on ZTT Records. Hailed as “a major landmark in pop-classical genre-blending and post-minimalism” (Robert Davidson, Topology) and “… ahead of his time … he’d fit right in with the Max Richters and Nils Frahms of today” (Steven Wilson; Porcupine Tree, The Album Years podcast).

Composed and produced by Andrew Poppy and performed by his bespoke ensembles, The Beating of Wings contains four mesmeric tracks that mix acoustic orchestral instruments with electric piano, electric guitar, bass guitar, sampler, Fairlight Music Computer and drum machine. Each piece has its own narrative, perspective, musical world and colour held together by an infectious pulse. For this release, the album has been remastered by Stephan Mathieu, and an expanded booklet includes new writing by Andrew Poppy. 2-panel gatefold sleeve, 24 page CD booklet and CD sleeve. 

A gateway access to the world of contemporary classical music for fans of Brian Eno, Laurie Anderson and Kraftwerk, a generation of music fans discovered The Beating of Wings as it rubbed shoulders with ZTT’s pop artists, The Art of Noise, Propaganda and Frankie Goes To Hollywood. ZTT co-founder Paul Morley wrote in The Quietus, “ZTT needed Poppy as much as it needed Frankie”.