ROCK BOTTOM

I assume the album has been re-issued since I bought my copy, as the cover on my vinyl - and CD - copies were pencil drawings of figures standing in the sea, drawn by Robert's long time partner. Although the album was made after his fall, I've read that many of the songs were already composed, but that lying in hospital enabled him to spend the time refining and fine-tuning them. But it's hard to believe his awful accident didn't influence this album; he seems to be baring his soul in Alifib/Alifie, moving from a child like dream on the former into frantic pain and panic as sax and keyboards break ominously on the latter. This seems to me the most powerful, personal statement here; it is a passage of music that always makes the hairs stand on the back of my neck. "Little red Riding Hood" features overlays of the trumpet of Mongezi Feza, who apparently died in a car accident some time after; it's a grat track. "Sea Song" and "A Last Straw" are seemingly gentle songs, but with a hint of menace behind them. The only track that slightly dissappoints for me is the final "Little Red Robin Hood", although there's a nice guitar break from Mike Oldfield, showing what he can do. The whole is lovingly produced by Nick Mason. I really do this this is an essential album for any prog fan and I'm giving it 5 stars.