EMPIRE was a band project, or rather three band projects, set up by former Yes guitarist Peter BANKS when his band Flash folded. The initial start of this venture came to be while Banks was out recruiting musicians for a brand new line-up of Flash. While meeting various possible candidates he met singer Sydney Foxx (Sidonie Jordan), and they soon developed a strong personal and professional relationship, the former leading to them marrying and the latter to the band assembled given a unique moniker - Empire.
The first album was recorded in 1974. However, the record labels weren't at all interested in the final result, and Empire disbanded. Banks and Foxx moved to the US shortly after. In 1977 a new line-up was assembled and a second album made. The record labels didn't take much interest in this second effort by the band either, and Empire dissolved yet again.
A third attempt with a new line-up came to be in 1978, but yet again the record labels found the end result wanting. Empire eventually dissolved in 1980, ending the professional relationship between Banks and Foxx - their personal one had disintegrated some time before.
The first PBME release was The Complete Recordings of Empire, Banks' band with his sometime wife and lead singer Sydney Foxx (now Jordan) that went through various incarnations in 1974-9. The Complete Recordings (PBME001CD), now out, includes all the material on Mark I, Mark II, Mark III and The Mars Tapes, remastered and in a different order. The release is endorsed by Jordan and comes with a 40-page booklet with new text from Jordan and drummer Mark Murdock, the original liner notes from the previous One Way Records releases, and a 1974 article about the band, plus numerous photos.
As well as Peter Banks on guitar, keys and vocals and Sydney Foxx (now Jordan) on lead vocals, Mark I of the band was with Jakob Magnusson (keys, vocals), John Giblin (ex-Brand X, worked with Jon Anderson, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, Fish, Paul McCartney; bass, vocals) and Preston Ross-Heyman (drums), with Sam Gopal also guesting on tabla. Mark II had Jeffrey Fayman (Globus, worked with Robert Fripp; drums), Chad Peery (bass) and Robert Orellana (keys), with Magnusson guesting. Mark III was with Mark Murdock (drums), Paul Delph (keys) and Brad Stephenson (bass), and this was also the line-up on The Mars Tapes.
CD 1 - The Best of Empire [01:18:19]
01. Out of Our Hands [00:05:38]
02. Destiny [00:06:15]
03. Faraway [00:05:54]
04. Foundation [00:09:26]
05. Sky at Night [00:09:42]
06. Where Yes Means No [00:05:02]
07. Off with the King's Head [00:05:12]
08. More Than Words [00:07:16]
09. Shooting Star [00:12:35]
10. For a Lifetime [00:02:42]
11. Do What You Want [00:08:33]
CD 2 - The Mars Tapes (as The Mars Tapes release minus two tracks on CD1) [01:17:21]
01. Out of our Hands [00:08:32]
02. Foundation [00:18:28]
03. Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar and Grill [00:08:44]
04. Do What You Want [00:08:52]
05. Dancing Man [00:04:02]
06. Something's Coming [00:17:10]
07. The Fall of the Empire [00:03:06]
08. When the Banks Overflow [00:03:28]
09. Ascending to the Planet Mars [00:02:08]
10. As Silence Prevails [00:02:45]
CD 3 - The Rest of Empire [01:03:19]
01. Everything Changes [00:12:47]
02. Sky at Night (Mark II version) [00:08:42]
03. Still Out of Our Hands [00:08:29]
04. Goodbye [00:04:34]
05. Destiny (Mark II version) [00:03:39]
06. Someone Who Cares [00:07:04]
07. Ain't That Peculiar [00:04:29]
08. Dancing Man [00:04:54]
09. Hear My Voice on the Radio [00:03:25]
10. Who [00:05:12]
