SKY 3

While parts of the excellent "Sky 2" implied a certain commercial concession to "classical pop", those aspects are virtually dispensed with on "Sky 3", perhaps the influence of newcomer Steve Gray. Moreover, while the group's relatively tame style may be irksome to some, within the context of its time this is still a rather bold endeavour.

Apart from its more understated nature - just listen to the marvelous and dignified "Chiropodie" and Handel's "Sarabande" if you need proof - the other major progression is in the jazzier accents, which suit this formation to a T. Tunes like "Westwind" and "Sister Rose" more than suggest a pull towards that idiom, and even the relatively rocking "Moonroof". While "Dance of the Big Fairies" is like "Tuba Smarties Part 2", "Meheeco" is not nearly what the bastardized title suggests. It's a full fledged prog number with spanish guitars, a worldly beat, and a kitchen sink approach to a finale that stands as SKY's ultimate moment as a band.

Some of the material is a bit more languid than most of us would like, in particular "Hello", which sounds like CAMEL on downers, if you get my drift. "Connecting Rooms" is,the quantitative centerpiece, but unfortunately that's all that can be said, as it abruptly switches between mundane themes. But on the whole this is the equal if not the peer of its predecessor, even if it might not propel the demanding progger skyward. 3.5 stars rounded up.