MK II

A bit surprised that this one hasn't yet been reviewed so far. Could be because this was one of the obscure SI-numbers, a label that had to quit the activities for progressive music due to lack of sales. I was very active in purchasing all kinds of CD's from bands I didn't even know at the time (early nineties). Amongst those were also a lot of SI-numbers (SI numbered their issues, strange system but ok) which became quite rare ultimately because of the bankruptcy. But I had no idea they would become this rare that hardly anyone appeared to get hold of them. Apparently this release by MK II has also never been re- released under another label and that would explain the scarcity.

Anyway it's always interesting to be the one who gets the chance to tell something about a band or album. And actually it remains to be seen whether there is so much to tell about it. About the band I can tell that in the booklet it already was quite obvious that we aren't dealing with a very ambitious band that wanted to make it big, it was more of a band that was happy and proud they managed to release this album and seemed to me some well-intentioned amateurs who were doing this for fun. Knowing that I have to say this is a very good effort by this band. It's an all instrumental album on which the guitar is the dominant instrument and in fact that's the most important thing there is to tell. Because although the tracks are really nice and the guitarist does a very good job this isn't really significant prog. And of course looking at all the above mentioned that's not a great surprise either because if this would have been a significant album or band we would have heard more of them.

On the other hand, it could also be they were at the wrong place at the wrong time and that that was the actual reason this band hasn't really made it. I wouldn't say it's due to poor or even moderate music because this is actually very good music. At least if you like the style I described above. I do and therefore I give it 4 stars though 3.6 is more the reality here.