MCDONALD & GILES

The best example of early KC ex-members collaboration. The album is not as adventureous as then contemporary KC albums but it remains folkish and playful. Ambitions are present, too, the ex-members wanted to prove their qualities outside of KC.

The first epic composition is quite varied. Vocals are well executed, sometimes even reminding of simplier Beach Boys harmonies. Certain echoes of Canterbury can be heard now and then - bass, drums and flute being most prominent.

"Flight of the Ibis" is a non-memorable pop-oriented track.

"Is she waiting" is a folk-oriented catchy song with underlying feeling of melancholia.

On the contrary, "Tomorrow's people" start quite rockish but maintaing balance between brass section, organ and layered vocals. Jamming with dominant flute, trombone. The ending part has a soft jazz feeling thanks to flute soloing.

The last track, the suite "Birdman" is the most experimental track, allowing everything to stretch out a bit without chasing time. Pleasant vocal introduction is followed by experimental instrumentation to return to poppy Beatles-like vocals but still a well developed composition. The following instrumental section with slap bass is a bit mundane until the the surprising churning organ and puts more energy in the song. Vocals come up for a few seconds but the instruments are in the foreground until the song returns to the main melody motive which is repeated with different variations - soft vocals with piano, then organ, then the brass section until the suite reaches its peak. A well crafted composition!

All in all, the first and the last suites make this album a welcome addition to any early progressive rock fan but not good enough to reach the excellent point.