REVIEW: This week's best Rock & Metal releases from The Damned to Black Stone Cherry

Fish Out Of Water.

(Esoteric/Cherry Red).

**** 4 stars.

This redux of Chris Squire’s Fish Out Of Water leaps like a salmon with a pristine new stereo mix by Jakko Jakszyk, a re-mastered original mix with bonus track bolt-ons, plus a DVD containing insightful interviews with Squire by Yes expert Jon Kirkman.

To the fore is a meticulous mix of musicianship. In particular, Yes stalwarts Bill Bruford on drums and Patrick Moraz on keyboards. Squire’s peerless trebly bass playing, roams all over the jazz/prog tones, of this his only solo album, like a herd of manic ramblers. His vocals are somewhat of a revelation, too. Stepping to the front, his voice betrays a melodious purity that soars and glides on these top-grade tunes. 

It would also appear that no expense was spared in the production of this lush recording, including a starring role by the St. Paul’s Cathedral organ on Hold Out Your Hand. But it’s the sublime Lucky Seven that still gambols along as the outstanding track on this seminal collaboration between Yes’ Squire and arranger Andrew Pryce Jackman.