RED

"Red" is yet another crowning achievement of KC and of the progressive rock landmarks of the 70's. As the album is most accessible out of all KC 70's output, no doubt that was easier to influence generations of aspiring musicians and listeners alike.

The musicianship is tight, playing well executed and synchronised and the compositions are less experimental - which means it is still more adventureous as some other bands encounter in their entire career.

The first song belongs to the most famous KC tracks, a dramatic and purely instrumental tour de force. The air gets sultry, the tension is rising. There is an instrumental heavy symphonic intermezzo reminiscent of Electric Light Orchestra 71-72.

The next track "Fallen angel" allows to breathe out for a while in a less dramatic and intensive spirit to soak the vocal melody featuring warm Wetton's vocals. The instrumental break in the middle is easy to digest and retains the soothing feeling of the composition.

What I like most about "One more red nightmare" is the rhythmic patterns, not overly complex but highly original and also the saxophone solo veering into jazzy waters. Heavy and softer parts are fluently interleaved.

The only jam-session based and very experimental track is "Providence", not of a high compositional value but shows how good musicians understand each other.

The last epic track is the swan song in KC's catalogue, eagerly awaited in each concert's set. No other tracks epitomizes KC's contrasts so well - long smooth delicate sung sections combined with gradually heavy guitar-led riffing. The fusion- like comes in after 9 minutes. All these three sections are of incredible quality and blend together very well. You won't feel that 12 minutes have flown after the track is over.

A masterpiece of progressive rock and one of the most influential progressive rock albums.