THINK LIKE A KEY MUSIC

Ollie Halsall may not have been the world's best guitarist, but he was certainly among the top two—and Lovers Leaping is your chance to hear why legends like John Cale, Kevin Ayers, and Neil Innes kept him on speed dial. This virtuoso six-string sorcerer didn't just cofound Timebox, Patto, and Boxer; he moonlighted as "Leppo," the mysterious 5th Rutle, lending his voice and bass chops to one of music's greatest parodies. Recorded during his decade-plus tenure as Kevin Ayers' right-hand man, these tracks showcase Halsall's ability to make the impossible sound effortless, whether he's channeling prog complexity or pop perfection. Prof. Stoned's fresh remaster brings every note into crystal-clear focus, while Barry Monks' essay and rare photos tell the story of a musician's musician who left us too soon in 1992 but whose influence echoes through every guitar hero who followed.