Record Reviews

FLASH ~ FLASH ESOTERIC 2166 (Barcode: 5013929726628) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2009 1st album by the brilliant British Prog band FlashFind albums by this artist, formed by founding member of YesFind albums by this artist, guitarist Peter BanksFind albums by this artist, after he left the band following the recording of their first two albums. The band also included another ex-Yes member keyboardist Tony KayeFind albums by this artist, lead singer Colin CarterFind albums by this artist, bassist Ray BennettFind albums by this artist and drummer Mike HoughFind albums by this artist. In many respects Flash was what Yes should have become, at least in my opinion. Banks didn´t like the change of direction Yes were following, which although brought them fame and fortune, was for many of the early fans of the band (myself included) a huge disappointment. The pomposity and pretentiousness that Yes displayed in the years to follow was often pretty sickening and Banks was able somehow to predict that. Therefore the forming of Flash was a great joy at the time, as it truly followed in the footsteps of the two first Yes albums ("YesFind albums with this title" and "Time And A WordFind albums with this title"), which to this day are my favorite albums by the band. What makes Flash such a great band? Well, it certainly had all the right ingredients, both in its personnel, as far as musicianship is concerned and musical approach, following the development of the Prog movement in the right direction. Great melodies, brilliant performances, a balance of influences ranging from Jazz to Pop, all incorporated just at the perfect measure. This album has no weak moments, no unnecessary fillings, in short no bullshit whatsoever. Everything is just perfect as far as Prog is concerned. Over the years I enjoyed listening to this album countless times, never ever being disappointed and in time it actually grew stronger on me, surely in view of the realization, that they don´t make them any more. Essential music for body and soul!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

FLASH ~ FLASH (FEATURING RAY BENNETT & COLIN CARTER) PURPLE PYRAMID 0339 (Barcode: 741157033922) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 2010 - 2012 Released: 2013 Of all the Progressive Rock bands that flourished in the early 1970s, British legends FlashFind albums by this artist were always among my favorites and the forty years that passed since basically changed nothing in that respect. I always claimed that Flash was what YesFind albums by this artist should have become: a gutsy, focused and multifaceted outfit which was able to write great music and cross genres elegantly rather than indulge in endless doodling and ego trips. No wander that Peter BanksFind albums by this artist left Yes after a couple of albums and formed Flash with vocalist Colin CarterFind albums by this artist, bassist Ray BennettFind albums by this artist and drummer Mike HoughFind albums by this artist (with another ex-Yes member, keyboardist Tony KayeFind albums by this artist featured on their first album). The band managed to record three classic Prog albums, which to this day sound absolutely brilliant and are prime examples of the genre. I´ve been aware of the effort to re-form Flash in the recent years, following the developments on the net, and finally the process that took several years came to fruition with this album being released almost exactly forty years after the original band folded. The band, which recorded this album, includes two founding Flesh members: vocalist Colin Carter and ex-bassist now guitarist Ray Bennett. They are supported by keyboardist Rick DaughertyFind albums by this artist, bassist Wayne CarverFind albums by this artist and drummers Mark PardyFind albums by this artist and Paul PaceFind albums by this artist. The album consists of nine tracks, eight of which are originals by Colin and Ray and one is a cover of a song by Nine Inch NailsFind albums by this artist. The original songs include two instrumentals and a new version of a song that was included on the original band´s last album. In the last years we have witnessed numerous attempts to re-unite and re-vitalize bands with a glorious past, most of which sadly ended up as miserable, at least artistically speaking, failures. This album is a classic example how such process can work and be successful. Most importantly the album presents almost entirely new material, written recently, rather that re-worked versions of old material, which makes little sense. The material in this case sounds really great, losing nothing of the original Flash vitality and preserving the original sound and ambience on one hand but being completely contemporary on the other. Therefore this album sounds as good to a die-hard Flash fan, who is familiar with the band´s recorded legacy, as to a new listener, for whom this is the first encounter with the group, hopefully leading to digging up the past as well. Time seems to have been merciful with Colin and Ray; Colin´s vocals are still confident, vigorous and energetic and he obviously has no trouble moving up and down the scales and Ray´s guitar work sounds really impressive and creative, cleverly eschewing needless fireworks. The entire album sounds superbly and is an ideal mixture of that nostalgic / retro ambience and modern sound possibilities. This is therefore a most proper addition to the legendary band´s legacy, which should satisfy old fans and bring new listeners into the enchanted phenomenon called Flash. Well done indeed gentlemen!

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

YES ~ FRAGILE (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 73789 (Barcode: 081227378929) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1971 Released: 2003 4th album by YesFind albums by this artist. This is where the definitive Yes line-up first recorded together, after the flamboyant Rick WakemanFind albums by this artist replaced Tony KayeFind albums by this artist on keyboards (or rather keyboard kingdom). Although the album was put together rather haphazardly fast to mark Wakeman`s arrival (and to pay for his keyboards), the group managed to complete a Prog masterpiece - a canon example of what the genre was all about - something that would be cherrished and immitated for generations to come. This album also marks the first collaboration with the graphic artists Roger DeanFind albums by this artist, who created the famous Yes logo and was in charge of the design of their lavish album artwork. Essential!

CD 1 Digipak Slipcase Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend

YES ~ TIME AND A WORD (DELUXE EDITION) RHINO 73787 (Barcode: 081227378721) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2003 2nd album by Prog icons YesFind albums by this artist. Although this was the least commercially sucessful album by Yes, in retrospect it presents an ambicious effort by the band to establish a unique identity, preserving the charming freshness and somehow naive approach. This was also the last album to include Peter BanksFind albums by this artist (guitar), who was soon to leave Yes to start his own band FleshFind albums by this artist (later to be joined by Tony KayeFind albums by this artist (keyboards) as well). As imperfect as it might seem, this is still one of my favorite Yes albums (along with the debut), before pompous and over-visceral efforts took over. Essential!

CD 1 Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend