U.K were a supergroup of epic proportions, a fusion of progressive and symphonic rock featuring some of the best musicians of the era.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: U.K
ALBUM: U.K
LABEL: Polydor (UK, EG (USA)
SERIAL: 2302 080 (UK), PD-1-6146 (USA)
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: England
LINEUP: John Wetton – vocals, bass * Allan Holdsworth – guitars * Eddie Jobson – keyboards, electric violin, electronics * Bill Bruford – drums, percussion
<TRACK LISTING: 01 In The Dead Of Night * 02 By The Light Of Day * 03 Presto Vivace And Reprise * 04 Thirty Years * 05 Alaska * 06 Time To Kill * 07 Nevermore * 08 Mental Dedication
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Link
U.K Background
U.K were a supergroup of epic proportions. As it appears on paper at least. But back then, line-ups like these were common place, so U.K probably didn’t have the same impact as they may have had.
In any case, there are some superb drawn out pieces with ‘progressive’ being the operative phrase here. In fact, symphonic is a better fit.
With ex Roxy Music keyboardist Eddie Jobson providing the soundscape for the other members (mainly Allan Holdsworth) to play over.
The Songs
Side One starts out with the three part ‘In The Dead Of Night’. It is true in keeping with progressive albums from that era (ELP, Todd Rundgren etc). Opening bars of keyboard swells combine with Bruford’s ebb/flow percussive passages, which make for a dramatic entrance.
The punctuated approach occurs often throughout this first phase. Jobson provides unusual keyboard sequences which will have ‘prog-heads’ looking to break out their imaginary Jupiter 8 synth from thin-air!
The second phase ‘By The Light Of Day’ takes an ambient path and slows up noticeably. The electric violin of Jobson is heard to great effect here.
The intro to the third part ‘Presto Vivace And Reprise’ is even more symphonic. It’s like Rush, Kansas and Yes meeting on Interstate Prog 101, before returning to the theme of the overall song.
‘Thirty Years’ is a dreamy mystical piece which despite the title, only lasts a shade over 8 minutes.
The track ‘Alaska’ is the album highlight. Bombastic keyboards has every ivory ever tinkled (or even thought of being tinkled) by the band Saga as an example.
This leads into ‘Time To Kill’, which features some strong vocals by Wetton. ‘Nevermore’ and ‘Mental Medication’ are longer pieces which meander through extended playing times. An attribute only prog fans will truly appreciate.
In Summary
Fans of Allan Holdsworth will not see any comparison to his OTT playing style evident elsewhere. Unusual textures and phrasings are about all you’ll see. Steve Vai was interested enough in transcribing brief guitar dabble on ‘In The Dead Of Night’.
In retrospect, fans of prog, and crossover AOR will make a meal of this. Very technical, but considering we’re talking about 1978, some people would prefer this album to live in the past. Not us, hence a deserved review.
U.K on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
