Make It Easy

The Zoo Crew is spinning the rare gem "Make It Easy" by Yes from the 1991 box set Yesyears, and the Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this track’s intriguing backstory. Originally recorded in 1982 by the short-lived incarnation of Yes known as Cinema, "Make It Easy" was an early version of material that would later evolve into the 1983 album 90125. Featuring Trevor Rabin, Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, and Alan White, the song captures a transitional moment when the band was shifting from their progressive rock roots toward a more accessible, pop-infused sound. According to a 1991 interview with Trevor Rabin, shared on the fan site Yes Wiki, the track was born in his home studio, where he was experimenting with digital recording techniques—a pioneering move at the time. Rabin noted that the song’s upbeat melody and reflective lyrics were meant to feel like a “bridge” between Yes’s complex past and their radio-friendly future.

Another tidbit about "Make It Easy" comes from a post on the Yes (official) Facebook page in 2018, celebrating the 35th anniversary of 90125. The post hinted that the song was nearly left off Yesyears due to debates among band members about its raw, unpolished vibe compared to their more intricate works. Fans on the r/yesband Reddit community have since praised its inclusion, with one user calling it “a snapshot of Yes finding their footing in the ‘80s.” The Yesyears liner notes, as quoted on Prog Archives, reveal that the track was one of several previously unreleased recordings unearthed for the box set, making it a special find for collectors and longtime Zoo Freaks tuning in.

Yes began in London in 1968, founded by vocalist Jon Anderson, bassist Chris Squire, guitarist Peter Banks, keyboardist Tony Kaye, and drummer Bill Bruford. According to their biography on Britannica, the group emerged from the vibrant Soho music scene, where Squire and Banks had played in the psychedelic rock band Mabel Greer’s Toyshop. After teaming up with Anderson, whose soaring falsetto became a hallmark of their sound, they adopted the name Yes and started gigging at venues like the Marquee Club. A pivotal moment came in 1968 when they filled in for Sly and the Family Stone at Blaise’s club, earning a rave response that led to their first manager, Roy Flynn, as noted on Wikipedia. Their early sets mixed covers of Beatles and Traffic songs with originals, laying the groundwork for their debut album, Yes (1969), and their rise as progressive rock pioneers.

The band’s trajectory skyrocketed with albums like Fragile (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972), driven by the addition of guitarist Steve Howe and keyboardist Rick Wakeman, whose virtuosic playing defined their complex, symphonic style. As shared on Music Gateway, Yes weathered numerous lineup changes—20 musicians have been full-time members over the decades—yet maintained their influence, selling over 30 million albums worldwide. Their official social media keeps fans connected: follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X. For deeper dives, fans flock to Yes Wiki on Miraheze, the r/yesband Reddit, and Prog Archives, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over every detail of Yes’s storied career.