ASHES ARE BURNING

Ashes Are Burning is Renaissance's first of three masterpieces. It's the second album with this classic line-up (Annie Haslam's) and it seems that the previous one was only a kind of warm-up (it's a weak album) to tune their instruments and voices and produce a following fine work. And a fine work it is!

Although lovers of purer rock may find this album too classic and think of classical music as a deterrance to avoid this band, they'd better pay no attention to established labels. Although classically influenced, this band can rock and they do. You just dive in their music and prospect all its twists and turns, its coral reefs (its choral riffs?) and caves. You'll find sound species never heard before!

The longest pieces, both opening and closing the album, are so-called "epics" to enjoy. But there are brilliant gems among the short (Carpet of the Sun) and medium (At the Harbour) ones.

As with the two following (with different nuances), I think this is a five-star album that must be in all prog collections.