PROLOGUE

A new start for the band is introduced with the dynamic Prologue track, a song with could be an introduction to the feelings and sounds of early 1970's also. John Tout's grand piano shimmers now with more grandiose power than the keyboards on the earlier records, and Annie Haslam's trained soprano voice reaches really celestial heights. Jon Camp's powerful bass lines elevate also among the trinity of instrumental characteristic factors dominating the sound of this newly formed group, along with the romantic and bombastic melodies of the compositions, forming a great stage for the virtuosic musicians to be displayed. The songs of the first album with the new musicians also reveal quite frankly the state of searching point for directions, giving birth for some peculiar experimentations visit the turntable. As for example the closer "Rajah Khan" is a singular composition on Renaissance's repertoire, droning a long voyage in psychedelic flavors from amplified guitar and wordless singing rejoicing in orientalist melodies, and having Curved Air's Francis Monkman visiting the open playing with his synthesizers. The second song "Kiev" is slightly naïve minor folk rock ballad, containing more adventurous instrumental middle section. "Spare Some Love" has some qualities hinting that the early albums of Yes had been listened and adored; Some instrumental movements and bass and drum maneuvers feel here really recognizable. The orchestrated "Time and A Word" album might have also been an inspiration for searching enlargement to the synthesis of classic symphonic music and folk-oriented art rock sounds. Both "Sounds of The Sea" and "Bound for Infinity" aim possibly to the easiest artistic choices, creating very mellow and lovely melodic surroundings for Annie's charming vocals. I personally feel open for these elevating pop prog gospels, and enjoyed this album maturing them as much as the following classic recordings of this fabulous group.