UK

"U.K." is the eponymously titled debut full-length studio album by British progressive rock act U.K. The album was released through E.G. Records in April 1978. U.K. was one of the first supergroups formed on the progressive rock scene and features four quite prominent gentlemen in the lineup. The band was formed in 1977 by the two former King Crimson members Bill Bruford (drums) and John Wetton (bass, lead vocals). Each brought with them one musician, and Wetton chose keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson, who he had shortly worked with in Roxy Music and Bruford picked guitarist Allan Holdsworth who had performed on the sessions for Bruford's (at the time yet to be released) debut full-length solo album, "Feels Good to Me" (1978). All four members had a long and successful history playing with various progressive rock and jazz-rock/fusion groups like Frank Zappa, Yes, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Curved Air, Gong, Soft Machine...among others.

So the quality of the musicianship is of course not up for discussion, as all four members of the band are highly skilled performers, who all bring something different to the band´s sound. Holdsworth brings a jazz-rock/fusion element (as well as the rare nod towards his spiritual musical past), Jobson brings the late-70s futuristic synth/keyboards (in particular the Yamaha CS-80) to the table (as well as his electric violin playing) and the occasional pop/rock edge, and Bruford and Wetton bring the heavier and darker progressive touch as well as rhythmic complexity. It´s certainly an interesting and unique combination of elements, which not many contemporary artists did quite like this (although the next couple of years spawned quite a few artists/albums influenced by this style).

Wetton always had an unremarkable voice and a limited range, but he gets the job done, like he has done throughout his career, but the vocals are arguably the weak spot of the album. Fortunately there are many intriguing, challenging, and interesting instrumental parts on the album, and that´s where U.K. really shine. U.K. hit a great balance here between the complex and the accessible though and it´s one of the great strengths of the album.

"U.K." features a slightly thin sounding production, but it wasn´t unusual for the time, that many artists wanted to remove themselves from the often bass heavy and organic sound productions of the early-to mid 70s. Something new was happening on the musical landscape and a new sound production style was needed. Overall it´s still a well produced release and the sound production suits the material. Upon conclusion "U.K." was both an artistic and commercial success for U.K. and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.