Wetton Manzanera
	Produced by John Wetton, Phil Manzanera and Keith Bessey
	Released on 1987
	no chart information
	Find it at GEMM
GHS 24147 cover [high resolution scan]

A lphalon, where the old heroes go to heal their wounds. John Wetton and Phil Manzanera no longer in the employ of Asia and Roxy Music, the pair undertook this mercenary adventure. Moreso than a merger of Astra and Avalon, the self-titled WettonManzanera is a mixture of romantic pop and arena rock that parallels the subsequent Conspiracy from Chris Squire and Billy Sherwood. There are, as you might expect, some cringe-worthy concessions to pop (“Suzanne,” “Every Trick In The Book,” “Do It Again”). But there’s also the unexpected: masterfully produced arena pop songs with some awfully catchy choruses (“One World,” “Round In Circles,” “You Don’t Have To Leave My Life”). Remembering that John Wetton was coming off the dismal Astra and Manzanera the lost Explorers, it’s unfair to expect too much from WettonManzanera. Despite some moments that invoke Japan (whom Keith Bessey also produced), this is much closer to the Wetton/Lake side of things, where a thin line separates well done from overdone. Personally, I prefer Wetton’s first solo album, Caught In The Crossfire. And, clearly, the first Asia album and Avalon are worlds apart from what’s here. However, pop music made by prog artists can be more interesting than the genuine article. Conspiracy, Difford & Tilbrook and Wrong Way Up (by Brian Eno and John Cale) all had their moments, and WettonManzanera does too. More moments, in fact, than either Alpha or Astra. I know, Asia opened the door to all sorts of unnatural prog-eny, but this is no more frightening than latter-day Foreigner. GTR, now there’s a horror.

GHS 24147 back cover

TRACK LISTING

1. IT'S JUST LOVE    3:38
2. KEEP ON LOVING YOURSELF    5:12
3. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE MY LIFE    4:24
4. SUZANNE    3:24
5. ROUND IN CIRCLES    4:32
6. DO IT AGAIN    4:49
7. EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK    4:05
8. ONE WORLD    3:54
9. I CAN'T LET YOU GO    3:22
10. (CD bonus track:) TALK TO ME
11. HAVE YOU SEEN HER TONIGHT?    4:47
    
    All songs written by John Wetton/Phil Manzanera
    

CREDITS

PHIL MANZANERA -- lead guitar and keyboards
JOHN WETTON -- lead vocals, backing vocals, bass, guitar and keyboards
ALAN WHITE -- drums and percussion
Vic Emerson -- orchestral keyboards
Kevin Godley -- backing vocals
Keith Bessey -- engineer
Richard Evans ICON -- design and art direction
Christina Sullvan -- Rostrum camera effects
Tony McGee -- photography

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