In October 1977, news of Hackett's departure from the progressive rock band Genesis was made public. After the band's 1977 tour in support of their eighth studio album "Wind & Wuthering" (1976) and their first EP, "Spot the Pigeon" (1977), Hackett informed his band mates of his decision to leave during the mixing of the live album "Seconds Out" (1977). Hackett had previously released his debut solo album "Voyage of the Acolyte" (1975), but he grew increasingly frustrated by the collaborative process of Genesis which left many of his song ideas unreleased. At the time, Hackett was signed to Charisma Records in the UK but to Chrysalis Records in the US. He recalled that both labels had a different idea on what direction they wanted him to take and he later said, "Their opposing viewpoints coloured the album to some degree, although I think the 'European' styled tracks came more naturally to me."