Roger Hodgson - Half-speed Remasters
In The Eye Of The Storm & Hai Hai
Remastered albums at half-speed at Abbey Road
Release date 21 August 2026
Roger Hodgson’s solo albums, In The Eye Of The Storm and Hai Hai, have been remastered at half-speed by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. These definitive vinyl editions, featuring artwork faithful to the original releases, are set to be released on 21 August. Both releases are available to pre-order now, HERE.
In The Eye Of The Storm (1984) was Roger’s first solo album that came out a year after his departure from Supertramp. The album quickly achieved massive commercial success, including going Platinum in Canada within a month of its release. Having played most of the instrumental parts on the album himself, the record retains the experimental, progressive spirit of Hodgson's earlier work while forging a distinct solo path. Tracks like "Hooked on a Problem" and “Only Because of You” showcase Hodgson's songwriting mastery. The album's sound felt like a continuation from Supertramp. Songs like “Had A Dream” carried the experimental prog spirit of the band's earlier work paired with Hodgson’s trademark soaring vocals, high energy, dramatic lyrics and catchy synth-and-guitar groove.
Hai Hai (1987) carries a sound a little more of the time. This release features all-original writing by Hodgson (except for "Land Ho" originally released only as a single). "You Make Me Love You” had the most popular feel-good melody making it the radio single. “Puppet Dance” was an emotionally charged fan favorite expressing deep vocal intensity and synthesizer rhythm. The album draws from a multitude of genres and brings in talented session musicians, alongside late-80s production and synthesizer technology.
Half-speed mastering is a specialized vinyl cutting technique. By reducing the speed of the master lacquer by half during the cutting process, the cutting stylus has twice as long to carve the intricate audio grooves. This process results in an incredibly clean and unforced high-frequency response alongside a highly detailed stereo image, offering listeners the best possible analog experience.
These releases follow the reissues of some of Supertramp’s most loved albums, also at half-speed. They have been met with great esteem with Classic Rock Magazine giving Breakfast In America, Even In The Quietest Moments…, and ...Famous Last Words a 10/10, 8/10 and 7/10 respectively, while Mojo rated Crime Of The Century a 10/10 with Prog Magazine calling it, alongside Crisis? What Crisis? “... even more evocative”. All are available, HERE.
Following the release of these two albums, Roger stepped back from music to spend time with his children. He returned to touring a decade later and released his third solo studio album, Open The Door, in 2000.
TRACKLISTINGS:
In The Eye Of The Storm
Side One
Had A Dream (Sleeping With The Enemy)
In Jeopardy
Lovers In The Wind
Hooked On A Problem
Side Two
Give Me Love, Give Me Life
I'm Not Afraid
Only Because Of You
Hai Hai
Side One
Right Place
My Magazine
London
You Make Me Love You
Hai Hai
Side Two
Who's Afraid
Desert Love
Land Ho
House On The Corner
Puppet Dance
