Sky • Sky
Ariola Records 200 589-320
33-RPM LP
Sky was a British instrumental group in the late 1970s and the 1980s made up from a collection of session musicians. (After a brief comeback, they finally disbanded in 1995.) For their eponymously-titled debut LP, Sky consisted of John Williams and Kevin Peek on guitars, Herbie Flowers on bass, Tristan Fry on drums and percussion, and Francis Monkman on keyboards. Side one consists of three original compositions and two covers, and side two consists of just one twenty-minute original composition called Where Opposites Meet. (I have vague memories of my favourite track on side one, Danza, being played on TV in the UK before certain kids shows.)
Much as I love this record, the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired. It’s not awful, but to my ears it does sound a bit muted and muffled, lacking sparkle. Fortunately, the sound isn’t so bad as to detract from the music. The soundstage is acceptably wide (if a little two dimensional), and the dynamics are fine (as are the bass and treble, my previous comment about the lack of sparkle notwithstanding).
So do I recommend this record? Musically, an emphatic yes; sonically, a somewhat reserved yes. The sound quality is more than acceptable, but if it’s an audiophile spectacular you’re looking for, look elsewhere.