TRESPASS

It's hardly credible after their appalling first effort, but this is a magnificent, moody album which sets the scene for the 3 masterpieces that would follow. All the pieces of the final jigsaw were not quite yet in place, since John Mayhew has Collins' place on the drum stool and Anthony Phillips is guitarist here rather than Steve Hackett, but they contribute fully to the overall quality. Be in no doubt, this was the first real Genesis album. It's often, quite unfairly, overlooked because of what folowed, but this is a gem in its own right.

The tracks vary from gentle and peaceful (Dusk, Stagnation, Visions of Angels) to aggressive, (Looking for Someone and the incomparable The Knife, where Gabriel spits out the vocals with venom). White Mountain is a narrative tale of a wolf which defies the norms of his society and pays the ultimate price.

Throughout, Banks' organ and mellotron soar majestically to provide most of the melodies. Phillips' guitar work is generally understated but effective though his solo on The Knife is a classic. Gabriel contributes some gentle flute work which adds to the ethereal feel of the gentler tracks and his vocal interpretations are majestic; the man has such a range of emotion and tone.

If there are weaknesses, they lie mainly in the production. The mix is muffled, particularly with the bass and drums, giving the impression that Mayhew was not quite up to the task set at times and may have led to his dismissal. At times, it sounds compressed and does not allow the music to soar as it should.

The music may, in fact, be worth the full 5* but it is difficult to extract the full benefit due to the dodgy sound quality. Overall, a very good, essential 4* album.