NO EARTHLY CONNECTION

This is a VERY underrated album from Rick Wakeman, the Yes' keyboardist. Wakeman here is supported by the excellent English Rock Ensemble, made of Tony Fernandez on drums, Ashley Holt on lead vocals and some brass instruments musicians, among others. There are many excellent mellotron, piano, clavinet and harpsichord parts, and the bass even sounds like a clavinet!!! The tracks are VERY rhythmic and loaded. The omnipresent brass arrangements are very special and EXCELLENT, and it gives the music a very original sound! Ashley Holt's omnipresent lead vocals are EXCELLENT: his singing is ABSOLUTELY catchy, addictive and passionate. There are also MANY impressive backing vocals. ALL the tracks are excellent, and the music is VERY progressive: it is one of the most progressive rock record by Rick Wakeman! This splendid music is very introspective, serious, beautiful and it naturally predisposes the listener to a religious contemplation. The music is perfectly balanced between Wakeman's progressive keyboards and the omnipresent sophisticated rock dimension provided by the English Rock Ensemble. All the tracks can be uninterruptedly listened without any problem.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!