Chris Squire - Fish Out Of Water.

Chris Squire

Fish Out Of Water

(Cherry Red)

By Paul Davies

Originally recorded in 1975 during a mutually agreed lacuna in Yes’ commercial operations when band members embarked on solo projects. As a collaboration with his friend, and former Syn member Andrew Pryce Jackson, Fish Out Of Water remains the best recorded solo effort. Titled after Squire’s nickname, 'Fish', it climbed to a respectable number 25 in the UK album charts and positioned itself at 69 on Billboard. The recording sessions reunited the original rhythm section of Yes as Bill Bruford brought his professorial percussive skills into play. Plus, then Yes keyboard maestro, Patrick Moraz. The studio line-up was augmented by former King Crimson and Camel saxophonist Mel Collins and Soft Machine/Caravan's Jimmy Hastings.

Lucky Seven will always remain the standout track. Still, this lovingly recreated gatefold sleeve vinyl pressing cut at Abbey Road, including a limited edition poster and inner bag, enhances the beauty of the music and its presentation in what will itself become a collectible edition. 1975 may seem a long time ago, but the prevalent freedom to create boundary-expanding music, and sonic explorations, is here in these five songs whose grooves were etched at Squire's Virginia Water home studio.