Resolving Contradictions

For his second solo album, Andy Mackay enlisted the assistance of two of his Roxy Music friends (Phil Manzanera and Paul Thompson), and following a visit to China in 1978 he recorded this "tribute" to China. And it worked. It worked brilliantly. Incorporating traditional Chinese sounds with his progressive rock background, Mackay was able to forge new sounds that made for fascinating listening. This instrumental album not only highlights Mackay's brilliant playing but his underrated talent for writing incredibly melodic, moving songs. The moods on this album move from melancholy to joyous, and it all makes sense. When Mackay reissued the album in 1992 on his own Riff label, he added four outtakes that. While interesting, neither adds nor detracts from the original beauty of this album. This album does not disappoint, and it also features one of the most brilliant album titles of all time.