DANGER MONEY

I wondered what would happen to UK after Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth had left the band. When Terry Bozzio (ex-Zappa) turned out to be their new drummer, my expectations were high due to the format of a trio that was created. This would match more to florish for the ambitious Eddie Jobson I analysed and I didn't like the guitarplay from Allan Holdsworth (although his work on the album from the new band K2 sounds great to me, more flowing and sensitive). So and then there were three, UK down to a trio, what had Eddie Jobson, John Wetton and Terry Bozzio to offer on their new album, released in 1979?

1 - Danger money (8.12)

The first part contains a slow rhythm with soaring keyboards, than a mid-tempo and a bombastic climate featuring powerful organ, soft synthesizer flights and the distinctive Wetton vocals with inventive overdubs at some moments. Halfway it becomes more bombastic with heavy organ play and a fat synthesizer sound from the impressive Yamaha CS80. The second part features great sounding synthesizer flights and a powerful, very propulsive rhythm-section, Mr. Bozzio has passed his examination 'cum laude'!

2 - Rendezvous 6.02 (5.00)

The first and final part delivers a dreamy climate with sparkling piano, a warm bass sound and a bit melancholical vocals. The mid-section is one of the most exciting musical pieces ever played on a single: gradually the sound becomes more lush with splendid build-up piano work, great drumming and a sensational eruption with the mighty sound of the Yamaha CS80, HISTORICAL!

3 - The only thing she needs (7.53)

This track starts with powerful beats from Bozzio and then culminates into excellent work from the trio, what a stunning interplay and exciting keyboard - and violin excertitions! Then a mid-tempo with powerful organ runs and pleasant Wetton vocals, followed by a splendid break featuring again stunning interplay from the trio, what a harmony and what a power! The piano sounds very sparkling, Jobson is a such a versatile virtuosic. It culminates into a swirling violin solo with a pumping bass and dynamic drumming, ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS ON THIS ALBUM!

4 - Caesar Palace blues (4.42)

First a distorted violin sound and a propulsive rhythm-section, some violin flageolets and then a bombastic climate, build upon an almost screaming violin sound, JOBSON FLORISHES!

5 - Nothing to lose (3.57)

This catchy mid- tempo pop-song is saved by a sensational break delivering a swirling violin solo. JOBSON FLORISHES AGAIN!

6 - Carrying no cross (12.20)

The intro has a kind of percussive keyboard work and turns into a dreamy atmosphere with melancholical vocals and soaring keyboards. Then an accellaration featuring bombastic piano and propulsive drum beats, culminating in a mid-tempo with powerful organ runs. The interplay from the trio is very exciting and blended with spectacular sounds from the Yamaha CS80 synthesizer and Jobson his violin. Gradually the climate becomes more and more bombastic featuring sensational keyboard work, including a long and mindblowing organ solo, JOBSON FOREVER!!

Although this album has some weaker, poppy-like moments, I prefer "Danger money" above the eponymous first record because of its dynamics, stunning interplay and amazing work from Jobson on his keyboards and violin. A MASTERPIECE!