| Review by sylvian October 8, 2014 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
The first incarnation of this supergroup consisted of the four experienced players:
John Wetton -bass and vocals (ex. Family, King Crimson and Uriah Heep)
Eddie Jobson - el.violin, keyboards (ex Curved Air)
Allan Holdsworth - guitars (Nucleus, Tempest, Gong, Soft Machine)
Bill Bruford - batterie (ex Yes, King Crimson)
Eponymous debut album is mainly written by Wetton/Jobson and represents the transition from art rock to something later described as AOR (adult oriented rock). While music of this album is rather ambitious the lyrics still dwindles somewhere in early 70s art-scene.
First three tracks are considered as introductory sonata of three parts (In the Dead of Night - by the Light of day - presto vivace and reprise) 12 minutes of the sheer eerie. The next there tracks (30 years - Alaska - Time to Kill) were constantly present in their live presentation of this short lived group and belongs amogst the best of this group.
Last two album tracks are the only Holdsworth musical collaborations with this group. He has better compositions in his solo career.
This SHM-SACD release also contains two additional tracks:
09. In the Dead of Night (single version)
10. Mental Medication (single edit)
Sonic wise this album never sounded so good. AFAICR the details of the rhythm section were never been so evident - but my mind can cheat me here since I am deeply delved in the King Crimson albums already released in Hi-Rez only recently and the fact is that Red - Starless - Larks spinning fairly frequently past few years. So my comparison with these is pretty obvious.
Highly recomended to the fans of ASIA.
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| Review by DelicateSounds March 3, 2015 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
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Performance: Sonics:  |
What a great addition to the SHM-SACD catalogue, U.K's eponymous release is a true landmark progressive rock album. The transfer of a personal favourite to DSD can bring a lot of expectations, and plenty of skepticism, even if prior releases on the label have been solid. Luckily, I was always smiles through this one.
Bruford's trademark snare hits with great weight, and his cymbals great presence while never being fatiguing. Wetton's bass is full but not bloated, and when he digs in it breaks up with a sweet, natural overdrive. The lead instruments are airy, and genuinely spine tingling when unleashed. My only gripe is that the vocals, which are right center, seem slightly blanketed in comparison.
This release wants to be cranked, it needs to be cranked.
Packaged in a white bespoke box containing: Mini-LP, Obi strip, and a Japanese booklet with English lyrics.
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