As requested, here’s the somehow ‘lost’ YES studio album: “Keystudio“.
In 1995, guitarist Trevor Rabin and keyboardist Tony Kaye left the group which marked the return of former members Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman, thus reuniting them with vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, and drummer Alan White, a line-up that had last performed in 1979.
The group relocated to San Luis Obispo, California to make a new album and to promote their reunion with three shows at the Fremont Theater, in March 1996. These shows were recorded and released on two live albums; ‘Keys to Ascension I’ (1996) and ‘Keys to Ascension II’ (1997).
But both releases also included the new studio material the band was working on sine re-unite, recorded between Fall 1995–spring 1996 at Yesworld Studio. These very good sessions deserved a proper album release; this “Keystudio”.
And glad they did it. “Keystudio” collects seven superb studio tracks, some of the strongest material released by any version of YES in years. These songs are so good that it actually surprises that the group or the record label did not release it earlier as standalone studio CD.
These songs retain YES’ trademark instrumental prowess, but there’s a maturity to the cohesive arrangements and the melodies. Most tracks push either ten or 20 minutes, ensuring the adoration of Yes diehards who yearn for 1970s-style experimentation.
All seven songs have their share of highlights, but the best are “Mind Drive,” “Foot Prints,” and “Sign Language.” “Mind Drive” stretches out with both soothing, dreamy passages and tough, full-band bombast. “Foot Prints” relies largely on the rhythm section drive of Squire and White and Howe’s melodic guitar lines.
The terrifically tasteful instrumental “Sign Language” is basically a duet by co-writers Howe and Wakeman. “That, That Is” resembles YES’ 1970s work the most, with the exception of Anderson’s lyrics, which address drug and violence problems in inner cities, not his usual mystical topics.
The only new piece on Keystudio is Wakeman’s “Lightning,” a brief intro segment for “Children of the Light.”
This is an excellent album for progressive rock enthusiasts. It is all here;, great vocals, keyboard passages, bass runs, Howe’s unique guitar, lush and powerfully sweeping compositions that seemingly go on infinitely, the complete package as this band has always been.
While strongly focused on YES songwriting / arrangement style from their classic ’70s period, even casual YES fans from both the 1980s / 1990s should enjoy Keystudio and the sound production mixes the old with the new.
“Keystudio” is out of print, with used CD copies fetching over USD 200.
Highly Recommended
1. Foot Prints
2. Be the One
– a. The One
– b. Humankind
– c. Skates
3. Mind Drive
4. Bring Me to the Power
5. Sign Language
6. That, That Is
– a. Togetherness
– b. Crossfire
– c. The Giving Things
– d. That Is
– e. All in All
– f. How Did Heaven Begin
– g. Agree to Agree
7. Children of the Light
– a. Lightning
– b. Children of Light
– c. Lifeline
Jon Anderson – vocals, synth guitar (track 5), harp
Steve Howe – electric / acoustic guitars, string bass guitar, vocals
Chris Squire – bass guitar, vocals
Rick Wakeman – keyboards
Alan White – drums, vocals