I.O.U. (album)

I.O.U. is the second studio album by guitarist Allan Holdsworth, released in 1982 through Luna Crack Records/I.O.U. Records originally on vinyl;^[2] a CD edition was reissued in 1985 through Enigma Records,^[3] and a remaster in 2008 through Belle Antique.^[4] Holdsworth’s band consists of drummer and pianist Gary Husband, bassist Paul Carmichael and singer Paul Williams, with whom Holdsworth had worked in Tempest. A previous solo album, Velvet Darkness, was released in 1976 without Holdsworth's consent,^[5] therefore making this (in his view) his first official solo release. Many tracks from Velvet Darkness were refined, re-recorded and retitled for I.O.U., whilst "The Things You see" takes its name from an earlier album of the same name, made in collaboration with keyboardist Gordon Beck.

I.O.U.
Studio album by Allan Holdsworth
Released	1982 (1982)
Recorded	1979
Studio	The Barge, London canals[1]
Genre	Jazz fusion
Length	39:49
Label	Luna Crack/I.O.U.
Producer	Allan Holdsworth
Allan Holdsworth chronology
The Things You See (1980) I.O.U. (1982) Road Games (1983)
Alternative cover
1985 reissue

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]

John W. Patterson at AllMusic described I.O.U. as "high-quality jazz fusion interplay" and praised Holdsworth's "well-crafted soloing".^[2]

Track listing

No.	Title	Length
1.	"The Things You See (When You Haven't Got Your Gun)"	5:52
2.	"Where Is One"	5:38
3.	"Checking Out"	3:39
4.	"Letters of Marque"	7:02
5.	"Out from Under" (Steven Robinson, Holdsworth)	3:34
6.	"Temporary Fault"	3:17
7.	"Shallow Sea"	6:04
8.	"White Line" (Holdsworth, Pete Brown[6])	4:43
Total length:		39:49

All tracks are written by Allan Holdsworth, except where noted.

Personnel

• Allan Holdsworth – guitar, violin (6), production
• Paul Williams – vocals
• Gary Husband – drums, piano (6)
• Paul Carmichael – bass

Technical

• Andy Llewellyn – engineering
• Colin Green – mixing