ANDERSON BRUFORD WAKEMAN HOWE

This album by YES members took me by surprise by the time it was released. With Close To The Edge line-up minus Chris Squire plus King Crimson bassist Tony Levin, what did I expect on how the music would sound like? You bet! I had expected a bit like Siberian Khatru or And You And I or Close To The Edge. But, I was wrong. It was completely different kind of music an through this collaborative effort, Jon, Bill, Rick and Steve wanted to have something different outside the boundaries of YES sound. It's probably similar reason like Asia or GTR where the musicians who were previously engaged with their respective bands try to make other ventures through collaborative project. ABWH has proved that it's a project as their second effort turned out to be a YES "Union" album.

Even though the music of this album is not the same with typical classic album of YES, however, it does not mean that album is not good at all - it's even an excellent one. It kicks off with a multi-part song "Themes" through a keyboard work by Rick followed with relatively fast tempo music in upbeat style featuring Jon energetic voice "Be gone you ever piercing .." Which brings the music into an uplifting mood. It continues with second track "Fist of Fire" which brings the music into a floating beats with dazzling keyboard and powerful Jon's vocal.

"Brother of Mine" was my first love with this album as it was featured nicely in TV commercial with good video clip. The music is really nice: it flows in excellent stream of chords and notes combining piano, inventive guitar fills, drums and transparent voice of Jon. Even though at the ending part the song sounds boring due to repetitive segments but overall this is an excellent track. "Birthright" is truly a masterpiece track that tells the story about Aborigines. It's an energetic song, very uplifting and it has powerful lyrics. This track has many wonderful and memorable segments like the ones with this lyrical verse: "This place ain't big enough for red and white .." or during the interlude part where Howe gives his guitar solo work. Wonderful composition.

"The Meeting" is another memorable and nice track which features Rick's nice piano accompanying Jon's vocal in mellow style. This track has become more memorable because for us, members of Indonesian Progressive Society (IPS), Rick played this tune in his hotel with a piano and all of us sung together. That was during gathering in 24 February 2002 when Rick, Tony Fernandez met with IPS members after Rick's performance in Jakarta couple days before. All of us remember the occasion and we all remember how humble he is that he accepted our proposal to meet him after the show. The Meeting is a masterpiece song. "Order of The Universe" is also a great song.

Overall, this album is highly recommended. You should also have the live record "An Evening With YES Music Plus" by ABWH with Jeff Berlin replacing Tony Levin on bass guitar. Keep on proggin' ..!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

"I don't believe in Devils. I don't believe in Demons. I only believe in you" - THEMES