Refugee

 Refugee was seen by the British music press at least as an

attempt to revive the legendary British progressive rock

band The Nice. While two thirds of The Nice (Lee Jackson

and Brian Davison) were involved in Refugee the addition

of Swiss born keyboard virtuoso Patrick Moraz ensured that

the project whilst having the progressive ideals of The Nice

was in fact something altogether different.

The band initially came together in late 1973 and following

rehearsals the band recorded their only album the self titled

Refugee which generally received excellent reviews. The

album was released on the Charisma label who were

certainly behind the project as the band departed on a

worldwide tour in promotion of the album. All was going

well for the band and plans were being laid for a follow up

album until rock supergroup Yes came calling looking for a

replacement for the recently departed Rick Wakeman. In

all honesty there were few candidates who would have been

capable of filling Wakeman's shoes in Yes however Patrick

Moraz was certainly more than capable and as history has

proved accepted the offer he couldn't refuse and Refugee

became a one album band when Moraz departed in 1974.

The Refugee album has never received an official release

on CD in the UK and was briefly available as a costly semi

legal release in the Far East. Tracks include the extended

pieces Credo and Grand Canyon Suite and also Papillon and

Ritt Mickley. The album has been re mastered for this

release and will certainly be of interest to the large and

dedicated Patrick Moraz fan base and also of interest to Yes

fans through Patrick's membership of the band and lovers

of progressive rock music.

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