The project was formed in 1985, when Howe had just departed from another AOR/ pop prog super group Asia. The two guitarist were brought together by then Yes manager Brian Lane, with remainder of the band been filled out by the following: bass guitarist Phil Spalding(who had worked with the likes of Mike Oldfield, Toyah, & Randy Crawford),  Us drummer Jonathan Mover (who had worked with the likes of Marillion, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and Alice Copper), and British rock singer Max Bacon(Moby Dick, Nightwing and Bronz).  The band were only together for just two years- and in this time they wrote & recorded this self tilted release, as well a touring north American & Europe in 1986.

The original album was released in July 1986. And consistent of ten tracks, with running time of just over 44 minutes. And you’d describe what we here as mix of 80’s poppy bound AOR, dips into virtuoso guitar craft,  sprinkle of light rock, and pop prog. I guess you’d say it’s like a more prog bound version of Asia, with Yes harmonizing thrown in. As you’d expect the guitar work is expertly executed, been both melodic & virtuoso, and you even get a two  shorter instrumental tracks in the form of Sketchers In The Sun( from Howe) & Hackett To Piece( from Hackett)- Hackett & Howe also handle guitar synthesizer too. Musically Spalding & Mover add in their bass & drum elements in acceptable if rather toned down fashion, and it’s clear the songs key players are the two guitarists. Bacon singing is fairly standard & un-remarkable rock/ pop singing from the 80’s, and there’s nothing really distinctive about it really.

The second disc takes in the live set- this was recorded on the 19th of July 1986, at the Wiltern Theater in LA. And it features 14 tracks which take in most of the self titles tracks, as well as solo tracks from each guitarist, and the bands take on the Yes classic Roundabout. In a live format the band do come alive a bit more, with some nice extra flare & elements been added into the studio tracks. The set is fairly well recorded &  the mix in  balanced well.  It’s  certainly a nice addition to the self titled album, and shows the band worked together well in a live setting.

The set comes with a twenty page booklet, and this takes in a ten page write-up about the album/ band. Press clippings & reviews from the music papers of the time. With the two discs/ booklet coming in a fold-out glossy digipak.

All in all if you enjoy 80’s AOR/ pop rock with a virtuoso guitar/light prog edge, this is well worth a look. Another worthy & well put together reissue from Esoteric Recordings.