Album review: NICK FLETCHER – Cycles Of Behaviour

NICK FLETCHER - Cycles Of Behaviour

[Release date 26.03.21] www.hacktrax.co.uk

Getting a glowing affirmation from none other that Steve Hackett, printed clearly on your album cover, may give a relatively unknown guitarist a definite leg up.

Nick Fletcher is a member of brother John’s band and this is his first solo “fusion” outing.  He’s known primarily as a classical guitarist but on this album channels his inner Allan Holdsworth.

It’s all very musical and harmonious, nicely orchestrated throughout, and not all instrumental.  With John Hackett performing vocals on three tracks, this makes ‘Cycles Of Behaviour’ even more of a Hackett offshoot than it should be, especially when he also adds the ubiquitous flute.

The long track ‘Philosopher King’ is like David Gilmour c.2006 when ‘On An Island’.  Hardly original but no doubt lapsed proggers will lap it up.

When Fletcher sticks with the instrumentals it’s more impressive and on pieces like the title track and ‘Tyrant And Knave’ he receives excellent support from Dave Bainbridge on Hammond organ (and mellotron!).  ‘Annexation’ is the only track where the band really rock out but somewhat clipped by a long flute intro.  Just get on with it, lads!

This should appeal to followers of the John Hackett Band, but to my ears it’s all a bit too polite and predictable.  ***

Review by David Randall


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALBUM REVIEWS, ALBUM REVIEWS (Mobile), ALL POSTS and tagged , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply