REFUGEE

If you believe (as I do) that RELAYER is one of Yes' strongest albums, or if you have a weak spot for Patrick Moraz's bizarre concoction THE STORY OF I, I definitely advise you to check this album out.

For thirty years or more I was under the impression that Refugee were nothing but a pale imitation of the Nice, until a review of this album on the TANGENT website encouraged me to get a copy, which soon changed my mind.

To be honest, it puzzles me that REFUGEE have received ecstatic reviews on Progarchives, since their album does sound a little incoherent, and there are no obvious emotion-drenched highlights. But all the same, this is a fascinating collection of tunes. Using a wide range of electronic (and acoustic) keyboards, Moraz proves he's every bit the equal of Emerson, Wakeman, Banks or other caped (and non-caped) keyboard crusaders, while Jackson and Davison turn out to be an exciting rhythm section. (N.B. Although Jackson's vocals sound off- putting at first, after a couple of spins I actually started enjoying them.)

'Grand Canyon' is the obvious highlight, a piece which seems almost symphonic in scope. For the Yes-freak, there are several wild (and magnificent!) moog solos which prefigure RELAYER. And at one point, when Moraz starts tickling the ivories, it sounds exactly as if he's going to play 'The Best Years of our Lives' (off THE STORY OF I).

Not an essential buy, perhaps, but warmly recommended to all Morazophiles.