Jon And Vangelis-The Friends Of Mr. Cairo (1981)

The second collaboration between British singer Jon Anderson and keyboardist and composer Vangelis resulted in "The Friends of Mr. Cairo", released in 1981, which achieved its greatest commercial success with a number one single and a top ten hit in the UK charts. In this second release, the duo largely moved away from the experimental style of their first album, "Short Stories", crafting a more accessible work without sacrificing the quality or the immense creativity that this masterpiece possesses. Based on the concept of cinema from the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, both musicians incorporated numerous fragments of contemporary film classics into the main theme, an unforgettable 12-minute piece divided into different sections, ranging from poignant passages to atmospheric and subtly romantic interludes. "I'll Find My Way Home" is another memorable composition where the dynamic progressive duo simply shines with a simple yet highly effective melody. Meanwhile, "Outside of This", despite sharing many similarities with the final section of the main theme, boasts a more sophisticated and complex treatment. The magnificent rhythms of the keyboards, percussion, and wind instruments, under Anderson's sensational vocals, lead "State of Independence" to another sublime moment, unfairly overshadowing the crescendoing symphonic "Beside", framed by a breathtaking and unforgettable melody. Finally, the ethereal "The Mayflower" arrives, a perfect blend of Anderson's voice and Vangelis's subtle synthesizers a majestic, intense, and moving piece that concludes yet another stellar work from this iconic duo.