After undergoing
Erhard Seminars Training in 1978, the formerly reclusive Mike Oldfield launched a Europe-wide tour with instrumental and choral ensemble to promote his fourth solo album,
Incantations. Initially during the tour the concerts were being recorded without the knowledge of the musicians, so that they could be paid less money, for just a performance and not a recording. The musicians found out, but the recordings went ahead and the album was produced. The artwork is linked to the title, as it shows a frame of
film containing a photo of Oldfield in a concert arena. Among the choir singers were members of the
Queen's College, London choir. The all-female choir singers were selected strictly based on their looks. Due primarily to costs associated with the numerous support singers and musicians, the tour made a net loss of half a million pounds. The album was recorded using
The Manor Studio's Mobile unit, and mixed at The Town House,
London. The double vinyl album was released in 4 channel
quadraphonic sound using the
SQ Quadraphonic encoding system. This was one of the last quadraphonic albums released. == Reissues ==