A Wide Expanse Of Sound...

This particular album called "The Circle & The Square" by 80s band Red Box has been on heavy rotation on my mp3 player for much of 2008 so far. My brother had a cassette of this in the late 80s that he probably played so often that all these songs have remained etched in my memory as i grow up.

Red Box was formed by Simon Toulson-Clarke and Julian Close in the early 80s. They released three singles before making their full album debut in 1986 with "The Circle & The Square" which have since been considered a classic and is highly rated by new found listeners as well. Though they made a second album in the 90s called "Motive", that had never surpassed the musical high of their debut.

A wide range of musical styles is heard on this excellent album from pop-rock, brass ensembles, choral music and most significantly the strong tribal beats/percussions and angelic background vocals and chanting that reverberates throughout the album. When i hear this album, it evokes a certain spiritual feeling, though (definitely) not in any sense religious - just pure musical awakening i guess. This album is very close to my heart indeed.

This album was received only a limited release on CD. As such, rare CD copies has been exchanging hands at exorbitant prices. My brother bought an imported Japanese pressed CD copy of it from Tower records sometime in the late 90s at a reasonable price. Lucky him, i am envious.

"Lean On Me" and "For America" were their most successful singles. The former features a unique MTV with a sign language interpretation of the song, very apt with the song's theme of human communication and understanding.

Check out "Bantu" and "Saskatchewan" too.

This version of Chenko is just excellent, putting me in a trance-like state each time i hear it.

For those who are enjoying what you hear, there is an online petition started by fans for the record company to re-release this classic on CD again, do help to sign it if you like what you hear. This was what i wrote : "Such well-written and unique thoughtful music should be re-released for future generations of music fans."

"It's over...chenko tenka-io"