FLASH

As far as I can remember, Flash´s debut album was not released in Brazil. and therefore, only recently I could get a copy of this record to listen to. I really didn´t know that Tony Kaye (another ex Yes member) was playing in it (albeit credit as a guest). So, with two Yes members on board, a Jon Anderson sound alike singer and a bass player that emulates a lot of Chris Squire bass style, it is no wonder this CD sounds a lot like early Yes; a kind of a link between Time And A Word and The Yes Album. Even the vocal harmonies are very much like Peter Banks former band.

It´s easy to see why Flash didn´t make a big impact on the music scene. With Yes at its peak, who would give much credit to a lesser version of the original? Please, don´t get me wrong: although derivative, the music in here is very good and sometimes they even produce a few original bits, like the acoustic Morning Haze (sung by bassist Ray Bennett) or adding a little King Crimson arrangement to one of the songs to spice things up. But again, with such competition (Howe and Wakeman having joined Yes by then) they stood no chance from day one and critics were not very kind.

However, I think that fans of Yes will like this CD far more nowadays, especially if you like their early stuff. Banks and Kaye did contribute to the "Yes sound" a lot more than they got credit for. Although hardly essential, this is a fine album to listen to and show potential for greater things.

It´s only nostalgia, ok, but I like it.