URIAH HEEP – Sea Of Light, Spellbinder Live & Sonic Origami (Cherry Red Records)

Uriah Heep have a lengthy career and are still considered one of the greatest British prog rock bands.

Sadly the (high) strength of early 70s material, a blip on the early 80s and the general arseholery of the music press, the later material tends to get over looked. From the late 80s onwards, Uriah Heep went through a lengthy stable period and produced some damn fine material that not been repeatedly reissued as the 70s material has been, but these 3 albums are just SUPERB listening.

1995’s ‘Sea Of Light’, featuring the by then well cemented line up of vocalist Bernie Shaw, bassist Trevor Bolder, keyboard player Phil Lanzon and drummer Lee Kerslake alongside mainstay guitarist Mick Box, is a Classic, with a capitol CLASSIC. Okay it’s a far cry from the operatic prog of the Bryon years but it is just superb British classic hard rock at its best. Opener ‘Against The Odds’ , after a few keyboard chimes, kicks off with a classic riff, and it’s clear from the outset the strength of Bernier Shaw’s vocals. The highlight of the album is, as it is a highlight of Uriah Heep’s 43+ year career, ‘Time Of Revelation’. This track alone makes the album worth buying, and as a nod to the operatic vocals, keyboards and searing guitar of ‘Return To Fantasy’. Nuff said. Seriously, a cracking good album issued in a time of dis-interests. Fuck them, buy it. Ok it’s not 1973, but in a modern way it’s bloody good. This album has underrated strength at every angle.

1996’s Spellbinder is a live set that was sadly low key at the time but showcases both some classic material and the strength of band. The material is mixed new and old, and showcases not only the band strength but strength and conviction of delivery. Vocalist Bernie Shaw is both strong/powerful and operatic and the band and recording all are gripping. There is many an early 70s classic here, this should have been, by rights, a high profile double release.

Originally released in 1998, ‘Sonic Origami’ is another great UH release, albeit with a more modern sounds. That said it is still a solid and classic sounding opus. A time where the band were on form, but the UK press were not, and that affected both band and fans. The band are on form and there are many good songs here, melodic and powerful. While few tracks really stand out, it is a solid, strong and powerful set.

The reissues here are well deserved as the albums are strong and not been available for while. All come with bonus tracks and sleevenotes, top packages. Sea Of Light 9/10; Spellbinder Live 7.9/10; Sonic Origami 7.8
Joe Gessin