''Score'' is the second studio album from the British keyboardist Duncan Mackay, which was released by EMI in 1977.

Background

''Score'' was produced by John Wetton, who also provides vocals on three of the tracks. Four tracks on the album contain lyrics written by

Steve Harley Stephen Malcolm Ronald Nice (27 February 1951 – 17 March 2024), known by his stage name Steve Harley, was an English singer-songwriter and frontman of the rock music, rock group Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, Cockney Rebel. The band achieved ...

and he also provided vocals on "Time Is No Healer". At the time, Mackay was a member of Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel. Other musicians on ''Score'' include Clive Chaman on bass and Andrew McCulloch on drums and percussion. The album was recorded and mixed at Scorpio Studios in London in August and September 1976. Prior to the album's release, EMI denied claims that Mackay would leave Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel if the album was a commercial success. Instead, Mackay intended to continue playing with the band while also pursuing a solo career including performing his own live concerts.

Release

''Score'' received its first release on CD in 2016. It was released in South Africa through Fresh Music and by Marquee in Japan, the latter release being remastered. In 2019, another Japanese CD remaster was released by Belle Antique, which contained the bonus track "Melange".

Critical reception

On its release, Robin Smith of ''

Record Mirror ''Record Mirror'' was a British weekly music newspaper published between 1954 and 1991, aimed at pop fans and record collectors. Launched two years after ''New Musical Express'', it never attained the circulation of its rival. The first UK Album ...

'' felt the album gave Mackay "the chance to exercise his talents to the full". He stated, "It's symphonic rock at its best, and unlike many offerings it doesn't sound pretentious. t'san album of many changing moods – the real Mackay." The US music industry trade magazine ''

Record World ''Record World'' magazine was one of three major weekly music industry trade magazines in the United States, with ''Billboard'' and '' Cashbox''. It was founded in 1946 as ''Music Vendor''. In 1964, it was changed to ''Record World'' under the ...

'' commented, "Mackay can now take his rightful place alongside

Rick Wakeman Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004, and for his prolific solo career. AllMusic describes Wakema ...

Keith Emerson Keith Noel Emerson (2 November 194411 March 2016) was an English keyboardist, songwriter, composer and record producer. He played keyboards in a number of bands before finding his first commercial success with the Nice in the late 1960s. He be ...

, Patrick Moraz and

Vangelis Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (, ; 29 March 1943 – 17 May 2022), known professionally as Vangelis ( ; , ), was a Greek musician, composer, and producer of electronic, progressive, ambient, and classical orchestral music. He composed ...

with this adventurous LP." The reviewer noted Wetton and Harley's vocal contributions on the album, but added "it is Mackay who is in the spotlight with just the right amount of excess to make it work on different levels".

Track listing

Personnel

* Duncan Mackay – keyboards, Yamaha grand piano, Hammond B3, Clavinet D6, Wurlitzer 200, Roland Sequencer, ARP 2600, ARP 2800, ARP 2701, ARP 2100, ARP 2200 * John Wetton – vocals (tracks 3, 7, 9) *

– vocals (track 4) * Yvonne Keeley – vocal effects * Clive Chaman – bass, Fender Precision bass * Andrew McCulloch – drums, percussion *

Mel Collins Melvyn Desmond Collins (born 5 September 1947, Isle of Man) is a British saxophonist, flautist and session musician. Collins has played in several progressive rock groups, having been a member of King Crimson on two occasions (the first from ...

– flute (track 4) * Members of the

London Symphony Orchestra The London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is a British symphony orchestra based in London. Founded in 1904, the LSO is the oldest of London's orchestras, symphony orchestras. The LSO was created by a group of players who left Henry Wood's Queen's ...

– orchestra (track 1) * Wilf Gibson – orchestral arrangement Production * John Wetton – producer * Ray Hendriksen – recording engineer * Dennis Weinreich – mixing engineer Other * Bill Richmond – cover photography * Fausto Dorelli – cover photography (of Mackay) * Peter Vernon – inner photography * Brian Palmer – design

References

{{Authority control 1977 albums EMI Records albums Albums produced by John Wetton