Modern Masquerades is the fourth and final studio album by Northern Irish progressive rock band Fruupp, released on 14 November 1975 in the United Kingdom on the Pye label's underground and progressive music imprint Dawn Records. Recorded from August to September 1975 at Basing Street Studios in London, it was produced by multi-instrumental musician Ian McDonald, best known as a founding member of King Crimson and Foreigner.[2] In addition to the production role, McDonald also played alto saxophone and percussion.

Modern Masquerades
Studio album by
Released14 November 1975
RecordedAugust – September 1975
StudioBasing Street, London
GenreProgressive rock
Length49:00
LabelDawn
ProducerIan McDonald
Fruupp chronology
The Prince of Heaven's Eyes
(1974)
Modern Masquerades
(1975)
Singles from Modern Masquerades
  1. "Janet Planet" b/w "Why"
    Released: 24 October 1975
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]

Modern Masquerades proved to be the only Fruupp's recording without founding keyboardist Stephen Houston who had been replaced by John Mason in early 1975. The supporting tour commenced in Hastings on 5 December 1975 and finished in Manchester on 2 February 1976.[3]

American hip-hop artist Talib Kweli used "Sheba's Song" as the basis for his track "Soon the New Day" from the album Eardrum (2007) which reached number 2 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."Misty Morning Way"Vincent McCuskerMcCusker6:57
2."Masquerading with Dawn"McCuskerMcCusker7:16
3."Gormenghast"John MasonMason10:47
Side two
No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
4."Mystery Might"McCuskerMcCusker8:23
5."Why"McCuskerMcCusker4:12
6."Janet Planet"Paul CharlesMcCusker2:58
7."Sheba's Song"CharlesMason8:28
Total length:49:00

Personnel

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Fruupp

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  • Peter Farrelly – lead vocals, bass guitar
  • John Mason – keyboards, vibes, vocals, French horn arrangements
  • Vincent McCusker – lead guitars, vocals
  • Martin Foye – drums, percussion, vocals

Additional musicians

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  • Ian McDonaldalto saxophone, percussion, French horn arrangements; producer
  • Greg Bowen – trumpet
  • Terry Johnes – French horns
  • Barry Castle – French horns
  • Frank Ryecroft – French horns
  • Peter Civil – French horns

Technical personnel

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  • Chris Kimsey – engineer
  • Dave Hutchins – assistant engineer
  • Martin Cropper – art direction
  • Richard Strong – art direction
  • Martin Goddard – photography
  • Robert Howe – illustration

References

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  1. ^ Fruupp: "Modern Masquerades" > Review at AllMusic. Retrieved 18 April 2018.
  2. ^ Collins, Paul. "Fruupp – Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
  3. ^ Charles, Paul (January 2009). "The Fruupp Story – Part 4: Modern Masquerades". Paul Charles Books. Retrieved 12 December 2016.