Glass Onyon
CD 45.46 mins
https://www.discogs.com/master/431401-Craft-Craft
Rating 75/100
The Enid could be considered to be a band almost 90% or more classical music orientated. In fact, tending so far towards the right, that for some aficionado’s The Enid hardly slot into the wide spectrum of that which is deemed culpable to the progressive rock genera. But for those who adore keyboard-led symphonic instrumental music with glorious accompanying melodic structured guitar incursions, the Enid represent the crème de la crème of the classical rock-orientated species.
‘Craft’ was a short-lived band, a kind of spinoff from ‘The Enid’ formed by bassist William Gilmour and keyboardist Martin Russell. Although by the time of the emergence of Craft both of these ex Enid members had been away from the band since around 1980. They produced one self-titled album in 1984. An album, whilst clearly following in the overabundant classical style of ‘The Enid, that is, in terms of compositional construction. From a sound perspective, It was a more cleaned up version, leaving out the more whimsical bells and whistles of ‘The Enid’ and having a slightly harder edge to the overall sound.
The original album comprised of six instrumentals being a conceptual take on the signs of the Zodiac. A further reprint was released on CD in 1992 with the addition of two bonus tracks, but subsequently, and contrary to ‘Discogs’ the album has been out of print until now.
Fortunately and especially for fans of the Enid, this comprehensive re-release has been possible thanks to Martin Russell who held the original master tapes and allowed them to be utilised for the remastering of the album as a definitive edition including the two additional tracks from 1992 together with two further additional tracks and four remixes from 1989.
Personnel:
Martin Russell
Profile:
Bass player (born 11 December 1956). Member of The Enid from 1979 – 1981. Later formed Craft with William Gilmour (also ex-Enid) and subsequently became a core member of Afro Celt Sound System.
Owns and runs the studio Sonic Innovation
William Gilmour -Keyboard player (born 22 December 1952). A member of The Enid from 1979 – In Groups: Craft, The Enid
Grant McKay Gilmour- drummer (born 3 October 1964). Craft and Pride Of Passion.
