U.K. - (1978) U.K.

UK was a short-lived British progressive rock supergroup founded by singer/bassist John Wetton and drummer Bill Bruford (both King Crimson alumni) with keyboardist/electric violinist Eddie Jobson (late of Roxy Music and Frank Zappa's band) and guitarist Allan Holdsworth.

This record did not impress me too much when I first bought it, but then it grew on me. It is still something I have to listen to carefully in order to fully appreciate it, which means I can't put it in the background when I'm doing something else around the house - but the experience gets better and better with each listen. Here, Jobson takes the lion's share, playing both keyboards and electric violin. The latter gives the album a distinctive quality it shares with Crimson's 73-74 records - though Jobson's playing is more atmospheric, evocative and somewhat romantic as well. Surprisingly, though, one of my favourite elements of "U.K." is Wetton's singing: his performance in the record's highlight, the opening, three-part suite "In the Dead of Night/By the Light of Day/Presto Vivace- Reprise", is nothing short of amazing. As many people on this website already know, I've never been a fan of Wetton's singing with King Crimson (with the notable exception of "Red"), but here he's at his most emotional. His bass playing is also quite superb and complements Bruford magnificent drumming perfectly - just listen to the closing track, "Mental Medication", in order to fully appreciate his thick, powerful yet skillful bass lines. Then, Allan Holdsworth needs no introduction: he's a musician's musician rather than a shredder.

Track List :
01. In the dead of night (5:38)
02. By the light of day (4:32)
03. Presto Vivace and reprise (2:58)
04. Thirty years (8:05)
05. Alaska (4:45)
06. Time to kill (4:55)
07. Nevermore (8:09)
08. Mental medication (6:12)


Line-up :
- Bill Bruford / drums, percussion
- Allan Holdsworth / guitars
- Eddie Jobson / keyboards, electric violin
- John Wetton / lead vocals, bass