The Planets was a classical crossover music band formed by Mike Batt

Mike Batt

Michael Philip "Mike" Batt is a British songwriter, musician, producer and Deputy Chairman of the British Phonographic Industry...

 in 2001. The Planets made their public debut supporting Deep Purple

Deep Purple

Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...

's 2002 UK tour.

The band was made of:

• Ruth Miller (flute)
• Ben Pugsley (electric, classical and flamenco guitars
• Jonathan Hill (violin)
• Lac-Hong Phi (cello)
• Salima Williams (oboe)
• Beverley Jones (bass, double bass)
• Michael Kruk (drums, percussion)

Album Classical Graffiti

Their album Classical Graffiti with 17 tracks made up of original compositions as well as covers of well-known classical themes, all bearing Mike Batt's signature, was released in February 2002. The album went straight to number one on the UK classical music chart on the day of its release and remained there for three months.
Tracklist

1. Rodrigo (3:26)
2. Carmen Caprice (5:57)
3. Grassland Theme (3:07)
4. Classical Graffiti (3:01)
5. Love in Slow Motion (3:12)
6. Brandenburg Variation (4:20)
7. The Journey of a Fool (4:27)
8. Clair de Lune (4:10)
9. He Moved Through the Fair (3:39)
10. Contradanza (3:11)
11. A Letter from New England (4:29)
12. Bolero (5:56)
13. A One Minute Silence (1:02)
14. Carmen Caprice (Acoustic Version) (5:55)
15. Brandenburg Variation (Acoustic Version) (4:20)
16. Bolero Fantasy (Acoustic Version) (5:56)
17. Christmas Thingy (2:54)

Videography

• 2002: "Contradanza" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Kmdqu_pFKk
• 2002: "Rodrigo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4qUEw9KOf8