Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

Yes’ 1972 Atlantic Records masterpiece!

180-gram 45 RPM double LP

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original master tape

Pressed at Quality Record Pressings

Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket with textured stock by Stoughton Printing

Yes’s 1972 3-track recording masterpiece,Close to the Edge, presents a snapshot of an adventurous rock band at the peak of its powers, daring to push itself musically, both as individuals and as a unit.

The first half of the 1970s was an especially fertile period for British progressive rock, laying claim to classics such asTarkus,Selling England by the Pound,Larks’ Tongues in Aspic,The Dark Side of the Moon, andThick as a Brick. Collectively these and other works represent the best British progressive rock had to offer. Yet, many reviewers citeClose to the Edgeas the ultimate prog rock album.

Author and music journalist Will Romano writes: “Yes had previously penned epic tracks forThe Yes AlbumandFragile, but nothing on the magnitude of the musical gems appearing onClose to the Edge. It’s something of a small miracle perhaps even magic that the virtuoso quintet crafted such a cohesive and compelling album during an often-hectic recording process that very nearly relegated this monumental work to the dustbin of history.”

The album’s centrepiece is the 18-minute title track, with themes and lyrics inspired by the Herman Hesse novelSiddhartha. Side two contains two non-conceptual tracks, the folk-inspired “And You and I” and the comparatively straightforward rocker “Siberian Khatru.” Original drummer Bill Bruford found the album particularly laborious to make, which culminated in his decision to quit the band after it was recorded, to join King Crimson.

Close to the Edgebecame the band’s greatest commercial success at the time of release. It peaked at No. 4 on the U.K. Albums Chart and No. 3 on theBillboard200 in the United States, the highest position Yes has reached on the latter chart.

In 2020,Close to the Edgewas ranked at No. 445 onRolling Stone‘s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket with textured stock by Stoughton Printing.

Format / LP
Released /08/08/2025
Catalogue / AGUE-4445
Barcode / 753088754470
Artist / Yes
Label / Analogue Productions
Genre / Pop / Rock