Octave is the ninth album by the Moody Blues (the eighth by this particular line-up), released in 1978, and their first release after a substantial hiatus following the success of the best-selling Seventh Sojourn in 1972.

Released after a considerable break, which saw The Moody Blues returning in an era of punk music and disco, Octave produced a reduced commercial outcome for the band, but reached No.

Octave was considered a departure from previous Moody Blues albums, mainly because of the group's use of lounge-style organs and synthesizers in place of a Mellotron or Chamberlin (Mike Pinder's song "One Step Into the Light" references the Mellotron).

Justin Hayward remembers, "We were apart for three years, and we knew we were going to record another album together, but, in interviews, none of us were going to say it until we actually did it.

"[7] Hayward reflects further on Pinder's creative role in the band, and how his and Clarke's departure resulted in a stylistic change for the group: "A number of things changed.

"[8] Pinder would be replaced by former Yes keyboardist Patrick Moraz in time for their 1978-1979 tour,[9] beginning a new era in the band's history.

The lead single and opening track, "Steppin' in a Slide Zone" was influenced by a mudslide that occurred during the recording sessions.

Lodge recalls, "Mike built a studio up in Malibu called Indigo Ranch, we went up there, and we were hit by the mudslides, and we were marooned up there on the top of The Hills of Malibu.

"[10] Justin Hayward shares his fondness for Mike Pinder's "One Step into the Light" in a 2019 interview: "One Step Into the Light" was the song that Mike had written several years before and that we recorded in his little home studio.

I remember the oxide was falling off that tape, it had been played so many times.

"[11] Hayward shares the inspiration for the closing track, "The Day We Meet Again": "That particular song was about people in my family — I come from a family with a very strong faith, and so that's in my background as well.

Octave would also be the final studio album from the band produced by Tony Clarke.

[12][13] The sessions were marked by marital troubles among the group's members, fires, floods, mudslides and a broken arm.

Tony Clarke, our record producer, had personal disaster during that album and didn't finish it.

Then private lives in the band between guys and wives, that started to fall apart.

[14] Graeme Edge reflects on the improved dynamic within the band during the sessions despite the loss of Pinder and Clarke and the group's struggles during recording: "Making your solos shows you how much work actually goes into making an album that other people were covering and you weren't perhaps paying enough attention to.

"[15] The cover art was designed by artist John Kosh, famous for his work with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, among others.

The original album was released on clear blue vinyl in Canada.

[16] In November 2008, the album was remastered and released on CD, with five previously unreleased, live, bonus tracks.