Rock Candy Records is one of the best in the world when it comes to mining lost classics out of rock n’ roll’s vast achieves. This time they have found two 1980’s era albums by ELP and King Crimson vet Greg Lake.

Greg Lake B-
Greg Lake is the voice of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. With that band he played bass guitar and was the focal point both on stage and in the media. As the most high profile member of the band great things were expected from him after ELP broke up.

Lake now wishes he had not made this album, as he is uncomfortable with the albums lack of musical direction. While it is a rock album that is not reminiscent of the classic style that ELP, I think Greg is being hard on himself. For starters, he teamed up with the late Gary Moore of Thin Lizzy fame. Moore brings an edge to songs like “Nuclear Attack,” “Love You Too Much” and “Retribution Drive.” When Moore and Lake mesh then there is a definite spark in the air. Other times, they miss as seen in the forgettable “It Hurts” and “Black and Blue.”

While Lake may not like looking back at this one there are some very good musical moments from Moore. Greg has such an amazing vocal style that even the duds are fun to check out just for his amazing qualities.

Manoeuvres B
The follow-up to his self-titled solo album saw Greg Lake still in a funk musically without any real direction. He has stated that he wishes he would not have made this album as he was attempting things that he feels he should not have done. Once again, this is a rock album featuring the late Gary Moore, who gives this album it’s punch on the title track and “Too Young to Love.” Moore plays well throughout and this one sees Lake actually beginning to get a rock style that suited him, despite what he thought at the time.

Shortly after this album Lake was recruited to fill the vacant spot created when John Wetton left Asia. Listening to this album one can see how Lake was the natural choice for that band. Still, Manoeuvres had promise and, along with Moore, Lake was close to living up to his potential as a solo artist, despite what he says.