DANGER MONEY

Since couple of days ago I have enjoyed rock and prog rock music from cassette. Sometime I need to do so because it reminds me to the days when I first knew rock music, I could not afford to buy LP because it's too damn expensive for a little boy like me who lived in suburb city of Madiun, East Java, Indonesia. So, the only format of rock music that I could persuade my mom buying me was in the format of cassette tapes. I started to play Led Zeppelin 2, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Fire In Harmony, and this morning I played UK "Danger Money". I purchased the cassette in 1984 and until now (23 years later) the sonic quality is still excellent (I mean it!) and I play it LOUD.

I then realized that I have not reviewed this "Danger Money" album. I already got the CD format but this time I do enjoy through the cassette tape format. It's so enjoyable listening to this album using a cassette tape format.

This is the second album of UK as a follow up of their self-titled debut album in 1978. Allan Holdsworth and Bill Bruford were gone and Terry Bozzio joined the band on drums and percussion. Gone were the howling guitar solos 'ala Holdsworth which had been unknown in prog rock music style. The departure of the two top notch musicians impacted significantly to the music of UK. The most critical shift is on the use of keyboard instead of guitar solo at debut album. But the colors of UK's music is still here as John Wetton's vocal is unique and the dynamic work by Eddie Jobson with keyboards and electric violin.

Music composition is excellent for all tracks offered in this album. This is I believe due to the band members ability to perform tight songwriting. "Danger Money" (8:12) is a good track opener with soaring keyboard sounds coupled with dazzling drum and Wetton's unique singing. "Rendez-vous 602" (5:00) is great ballads with keyboard heavy composition. This track was quite famous as regular playlist in some FM stations in Bandung when I took engineering college at ITB. "Caesar's Palace blues" (4:42) is also another excellent track. Another great track is "Carrying no cross" (12:20) which has beautiful multi-layered keyboard work.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to any prog music collection. Music composition is excellent, coupled with tight songwriting and excellent performance. Those of you who like UK, you would love this album as well. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW