DANGER MONEY

"Danger Money" is the second full-length studio album by British progressive rock act U.K. The album was released through E.G. Records/Polydor Records in March 1979. less than a year after the release of the band´s eponymously titled debut full-length studio album in April 1978. A lot had happened in the 11 months between the two album including a lot of touring and the subsequent departure of half the lineup. Drummer Bill Bruford and guitarist Allan Holdsworth decided that one album was enough and left to pursue other musical projects. Bruford was replaced by Terry Bozzio, who keyboardist/violinist Eddie Jobson knew from his brief time playing with Frank Zappa, but the band couldn´t find a suitable replacement for Holdsworth, and ultimately opted to continue in the trio lineup of Eddie Jobson (keyboards/synths, electric violin), Terry Bozzio (drums), and John Wetton (bass, vocals).

The lack of a guitarist (and especially a guitarist of Holdsworth´s caliber and importance) is actually handled quite well on "Danger Money". Wetton occasionally puts some effects/distortion on his bass when something a bit heavier is needed and otherwise most of the instrumental melodies and textures are provided by Jobson and his keyboards/synths and occasionally by his electric violin. As well as being energetic and powerful, the music is also atmospheric and sometimes even epic in scope. So the lack of a guitarist doesn´t in any way make the soundscape empty or lacking anything.

The jazz-rock/fusion part of the band´s sound which was a part of the sound on the debut album, has diminished with the departure of Holdsworth, and as a result "Danger Money" is a less eclectic release than it´s predecessor, but it´s no less intriguing. It still has that futuristic and fresh progressive rock sound of the late 70s, which U.K. were one of the first band´s to explore and innovate. "Nothing to Lose" was a minor hit for U.K., and it´s also the only track on the album featuring an uplifting AOR leaning mainstream sound. Other than that song, most of the album features a darker tone. The 12.20 minutes long closing track "Carrying No Cross" is the best example of the more gloomy atmosphere of "Danger Money".

"Danger Money" features a powerful, organic, yet futuristic sounding production, and the sound production suits the material well. Upon conclusion one could have worried that losing one half of the supergroup lineup who recorded the first album of a band who had only just formed in 1977, would have meant that "Danger Money" would be a sub par release to its predecessor, but nothing could be further from the truth, and to my ears "Danger Money" is an almost better quality release than the debut album, although both albums are superb late 70s progressive rock releases. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.