DA CAPO

This is a great introduction to Renaissance, covering their career from "Renaissance" (1969) to "Time Line" (1983), with two unreleased tracks ("Africa" and "Writers Wronged", both recorded in Berkshire in 1982). Strong points: a good song selection (covering all their hits), nice packaging (the slip case makes it a mini box-set), excellent sound quality. Weak points: there's only a brief essay by Chris Welch, only 6 pictures of the band and there's no discography. Also, "Scheherazade" (their masterpiece) is represented here by a brief excerpt. If this was a 3-CD box, it would be much better. Highlights: almost all songs at CD 1 ("Africa" is not a good song, unfortunately), "Ocean Gypsy", "Midas Man", "Captive Heart", "Song for All Seasons" (at CD 2).