RENAISSANCE

In terms of lineup, the first incarnation of Renaissance was essentially a completely different band from the Anne Haslam-fronted crew, due to a series of line-up changes that left the band like the proverbial axe whose handle has been replaced three times and whose head has been replaced twice! But the original group did just about manage to scrape out a couple of albums before they imploded, and this one is a fine piece of early symphonic prog. Pianist Jim Hawken's playing is prominent in the mix, and the ethereal vocals of brother and sister team Keith and Jane Relf have a quality to them which hadn't been seen much before in rock music - their performance is more like that of choirists than rock singers, and that undoubtedly was a big influence in Haslam's style once she took on vocal duties in the band.

An excellent album all round - not quite a classic, but well worth getting lost in. Four stars.