THE FRIENDS OF MR. CAIRO

Who would of thought in retrospect that the crowning achievement of two differently prolific artists would lie in a brief collaborative effort emanating from a period where Vangelis was touted as a replacement for the moody Rick Wakeman, which fell through because the Greek wanted to remain in Greece. Food for thought what Relayer, Going for The One or Tormato would of sounded with a more sweeping electronic tinge to it ? Probably quite similar to this very original album with the added bonus of Squire's energetic trebly bass and White's steady beat.

So Jon Anderson and Vangelis entered the studio to put together a masterwork featuring the most cinematographic expression of the Silver Screen , the title epic "Friends of Mr Cairo" complete with snippets from Peter Lorre's nasal pleas, Jimmy Stewart's hip-hop offering the Moon to Mary ,flapping spools of film, "Bullets flying, taking toll" , all sliding on a bubbling bass-synth carpet , with occasional symphonic swoops and the best vocals ever (akin to Soon on Gates of Delerium). "Bogart, Fairbanks, Maureen O'Sullivan" indeed.... This song remains a gender bending classic in the same breath as the equally theatrical "Bohemian Rhapsody"and both will stand the test of time. "I'll Find My Way Home" is another mini-jewel where the dynamic prog duo simply shine on a simple yet very effective melody. "State of Independence" is another genre crossing composition that was one of disco's only few bright lights (Donna Summer) in the early 80's and then completely reworked by electronica project Moodswings by adding snippets of Martin Luther King's famous speach. This version remains the standard and rightly so. "Mayflower" is another atmospheric piece about adventure with infusion of NASA commentary .

This is not complex prog noodling, no zeuhl tendencies, no extended space rock jam, no technical workout video. Just a plain old great melodic album with inventive music played by great musicians.

5 cinema reels