Yes

Fragile

First released1971

Fragile, Yes's fifth studio album, was recorded at various locations between 1970 and 1971, primarily at Advision Studios in London with additional sessions at other facilities. The album was produced by Yes with engineer Eddie Offord, who became instrumental in shaping the band's signature sound through innovative multi-track recording techniques and meticulous attention to sonic detail. Offord's production approach emphasized clarity and separation of instruments, utilizing the latest 16-track recording technology available at the time to accommodate the band's increasingly complex arrangements. The album marked a significant point in progressive rock's evolution, with extended instrumental passages and the incorporation of Rick Wakeman's elaborate keyboard arrangements, particularly on tracks like "Roundabout" and "Heart of the Sunrise." Fragile was released in November 1971 and became Yes's commercial breakthrough in North America, establishing their reputation for sophisticated studio production within the progressive rock genre.