UK - Danger Money - 1979 (24/96 Vinyl Rip)

UK was a prog rock supergroup formed of drummer Bill Bruford (ex-Yes and King Crimson), bassist and lead singer John Wetton (ex-King Crimson), keyboardist and violinist Eddie Jobson (ex-Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, Curved Air) and guitarist Allan Holdsworth (ex-Soft Machine, Gong, Jean Luc Ponty). The self titled debut album was released in 1978 and is considered one of the great milestones of 70's progressive rock.

Danger Money was UK's second and final studio recording released in 1979. Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth had left with former Zappa drummer Terry Bozzio replacing Bruford. There was no replacement for Allan Holdsworth leaving Eddie Jobson playing many guitar like parts on synthesizer, organ and electric violin. As a result Danger Money shows a change of style not having the jazz/fusionesque contribution of Bruford and Holdsworth that was characteristic of the first album. There's also an attempt to be more commercial and have a hit single as well. For these reasons many would consider Danger Money the lesser of the two albums. However if you would imagine the original line-up recording this album, the music would be on par with the debut if not even better. In fact, half of this album was already performed live with the original members as can be heard on recordings such as UK - Concert Classics, Vol. 4.

The album starts off with the title track "Danger Money" featuring the Yamaha CS80 synthesizer with Jobson utilising the ribbon controller to create the portamento effects during the intro. After the intro Jobson switches to the Hammond C3 organ and Bozzio kicks in with some heavy pounding drums. Which brings us to the two major ingredients that make Danger Money different from the debut album: powerful pounding drums by Bozzio and driving percussive style organ playing by Jobson reminiscent of Keith Emerson. John Wetton holds his own with some great dissonant bass work on this title track. The lyrics portray a hired assassin contemplating and justifying his profession and lifestyle. The song continues for 8 minutes with alternating time signatures (4/4, 5/8 and 15/8) and displays some powerful rocking prog.

Things slow down on the second track "Rendez Vous 6:02" which is more ballad like with gentle vocals and beautiful electric piano playing by Jobson. An edited version was released as a single which is remarkable as the song has some not so radio friendly time signature changes: the main verses are in 4/4 but the characteristic piano arpeggio is in 7/16 and the section including the synth solo is in 5/8.

Next is "The Only Thing She Needs" which starts with a solo showcasing Bozzio's extensive drum kit and lashing of his toms with some frenzy fills. This is one of the highlights of the album and it seems that Jobson and Wetton were really pushing the envelope: this is one frantically-paced and very tight piece of a recording! The second half of the track is an instrumental extravaganza with furious drumming, keyboards galore, electric violin solo and some of Wetton’s best bass playing.

Side 2 opens with "Caesar's Palace Blues" which is build around a pizzicato played riff featuring Jobson on electric violin throughout most of the track. Although the keyboards are barely used on this track it's still a great rocking song and in particular the closing section Jobson's soloing is at times very guitar like.

Track five, "Nothing to Lose", was also released as a single and was probably their best attempt at commercial success. It's a catchy song that predates the song writing style that Wetton would later successfully exploit with Asia.

The last track "Carrying No Cross" clocks in over 12 minutes and starts with some synth pads played over a heavy oscillating keyboard chord, setting an eerie mood for this track. The sound effects take an abrupt stop after a climatic crescendo at which point the vocals starts. The lyrics apparently deal about redemption found by our protagonist which is effectively evoked by the melancholical vocals and soaring keyboards. After this intro section things speed up with bombastic piano and propulsive drum beats culminating in a mid section with powerful organ runs which have a distinct Emerson flavour to them. This section is ended with a solo piano play after which the main theme is reprised and gracefully drops down to the keyboard/vocal ending. All in all an impressive tour de force which ends the album on a high note.

Track List:

Side One
1. "Danger Money" - 8:16
2. "Rendezvous 6:02" - 5:00
3. "The Only Thing She Needs" - 7:59

Side Two
1. "Caesar's Palace Blues" - 4:46
2. "Nothing To Lose" - 3:57
3. "Carrying No Cross" - 12:27

Musicians:

Eddie Jobson: Keyboards & Electric Violin
John Wetton: Lead Voice & Bass
Terry Bozzio: Drums & Percussion