CAPTURED

A lengthy, double-sided release rounding up the best of the group's 1978-1981 period, this seventeen-track live compilation showcases just what a tight instrumental outfit Journey were in their heyday, something that shouldn't really come as a surprise considering the musical backgrounds of the various members. Core creative contributors Neal Schon(guitar) and Gregg Rolie(keyboards, vocals) both enjoyed stints with Santana - one of the premier live groups of the 1970s - whilst Steve Smith(drums) was a former alumnus of both Dutch symphonic proggers Focus and multi-talented jazz virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty. The performances are therefore supremely slick. However, with the bulk of the material being culled from album's such as 'Infinity' and 'Departure', the progressive instincts of Journey's earlier days are all but gone. Instead, the five-piece whiz though soft-rock hit after soft-rock hit - though fans of the group should lap this up. An expertly-delivered live album, 'Captured' shows just why Journey are as popular as they are.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012