Furthermore, issue 4 of the mag (30th Sept) features the title track of this album on the CD that comes with the mag.

"Once again I am amazed at how much progressive rock there is out there. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been listening to the band Yak that hail out of the UK, Essex to be exact. I guess you could call it their fourth CD, if you include a couple discs that consisted of live jam sessions. Yak’s new disc is entitled Journey of the Yak and consists of six wonderful instrumental tracks created by a trio of musicians, Martin Morgan (keyboards), Dave Speight (drums) and Gary Bennett (bass). For the record the band originally came together as a quartet in 1982 but folded a couple years later, only to come back onto the music scene in 2004. It’s also probably worth noting that Speight currently plays with the Enid-offshoot entitled Whimwise.

As mentioned Journey of the Yak features six instrumental compositions and other than two short three-minuters the others are all just under or a little over ten-minutes. I’m reminded a little of band’s like The Enid but more perhaps by the Enid offshoot Craft who released one album back in the eighties. The music is highly structured and elaborately arranged but isn’t quite as orchestral sounding as The Enid, but still very symphonic in nature. These tracks are all pretty up-tempo and at times really place an emphasis on the rock part. Each of these tracks will move through any number of dramatic sections all hinged together by moving themes and classically styled musical motifs. And while never overly busy or complicated the structure of these songs is quite varied and ever changing. Another word there’s lots going on in each track. We’re treated to many recurring themes, excellent Mellotron samples, changing dynamics, all manor of keyboards, brilliant melodic riffs and more than enough symphonic flair to keep you coming back for more.

Not knowing what to expect it’s always a special treat to be won over by such excellent music. Journey of the Yak is music that will easily appeal to a wide swath of progressive rock fans. If you’re into the trio approach of bands like ELP or Craft or the more symphonic Japanese bands like Outer Limits or certainly bands like the Enid or Whimwise, well then Yak is right for you. I’m really liking this record and highly recommend it. Great job!"

The CD is available at http://www.yaksongs.com/joty4.html and all cash goes to the charity Tower Hill Stables Animal Sanctuary which has no Yaks, but loads of almost everything else !

Thank you very much !

Your CD will be on its way tomorrow - your support is very much appreciated

Martin from Yak

Reviews are starting to come in now & can be read at this link: