Themes: Sound / Second Attention / Soul Warrior

The Zoo Crew is spinning the progressive rock epic "Themes: Sound / Second Attention / Soul Warrior" by Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, from their 1989 self-titled album, and the Zoo Freaks are vibing to its cosmic energy! This track, kicking off the album, is a three-part journey clocking in at nearly six minutes. It starts with "Sound," a cascade of shimmering notes, flows into "Second Attention," a funk-rock groove with Bill Bruford’s piercing electronic drums, and closes with "Soul Warrior," where Steve Howe’s guitar dances with Rick Wakeman’s synths in a marching cadence. Jon Anderson’s lyrics in "Second Attention" take a defiant stand against commercial forces, singing, “Be gone you ever piercing power play machine / Cutting our musical solidarity,” a nod to his frustration with the pop direction Yes took in the 1980s. Interestingly, Steve Howe later revealed he had little to do with composing "Themes" despite being credited, while Bruford noted his role was mostly re-recording drum machine parts, highlighting the album’s complex production process.

Digging into the trivia, the creation of "Themes" was a bit of a musical tug-of-war. The album was recorded across multiple locations, from Paris to Montserrat to London, with Jon Anderson laying down initial demos with guitarist Milton McDonald before the others joined. Bruford, in a 2021 interview with Prog Magazine, humorously recalled arriving at the airport and realizing, “Oh no, not Yes!” when he saw Howe and Wakeman, hinting at the bittersweet reunion. The track’s electronic drum sound, especially the snare, sparked debate among fans for its departure from Bruford’s signature acoustic style, but he embraced the experimental vibe, calling it “fantastic” in a fan Q&A on his website. On social media, a 2023 post from @ProgMagazineUK celebrated the album’s release anniversary, noting how "Themes" set the tone for a return to Yes’s classic 1970s sound, which resonated deeply with prog fans.

Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe came together in 1988 when Jon Anderson, feeling creatively stifled by Yes’s commercial turn, sought to recapture the band’s earlier, more adventurous spirit. After leaving Yes post their 1987 album Big Generator, Anderson spent time in Greece writing with Vangelis, sparking the idea to reunite with 1970s Yes members Steve Howe, Rick Wakeman, and Bill Bruford. The quartet, joined by bassist Tony Levin from King Crimson, formed ABWH, unable to use the Yes name due to legal issues with the Chris Squire-led Yes faction. Their self-titled album, released in June 1989 on Arista Records, peaked at No. 14 in the UK and No. 30 in the US, selling 750,000 copies worldwide. The project was short-lived, folding into a larger Yes reunion by 1991, but it remains a beloved chapter for fans, as seen in discussions on the Yes Fans Facebook group.

The roots of ABWH trace back to each member’s history with Yes, formed in London in 1968. Jon Anderson, a self-taught vocalist, joined Yes after singing in local bands, bringing his ethereal voice and mystical lyrics. Steve Howe, a guitarist with a jazz and classical background, honed his craft in groups like Tomorrow before joining Yes in 1970. Rick Wakeman, a classically trained keyboardist, left music school to become a session player, later dazzling Yes fans with his flamboyant solos starting in 1971. Bill Bruford, a jazz enthusiast, co-founded Yes before exploring complex rhythms with King Crimson. Their collective virtuosity defined Yes’s golden era, and ABWH was a reunion of that creative spark. You can follow their legacy on Jon Anderson’s website, Facebook, and Instagram; Steve Howe’s website and Facebook; Rick Wakeman’s website, Facebook, and X; and Bill Bruford’s website and Facebook. Fans also gather at sites like ProgArchives and the ABWH Fans Facebook group, keeping the prog flame alive.