King Crimson

After the six-man King Crimson disbanded in the spring of 1997, Adrian Belew (guitar/drums), Bill Bruford (percussion/drums), Robert Fripp (guitar), Trey Gunn (Warr guitar), Tony Levin (bass), and Pat Mastelotto (percussion/drums) agreed to splinter into a series of sequential ProjeKcts. These subgroups provided active research and development of new material and performance techniques in front of an audience, ultimately serving the next manifestation of the greater Krim. Here listeners are treated to a variety of instrumental works from each initial fractal. ProjeKct Three commence this sampler with Fripp, Gunn, and Mastelotto unleashing some industrial-strength improvisations during the sprawling seven-movement "Masque" suite, which clocks in at over 20 minutes. Of the subdivisions, these three players arguably create the heaviest and most progressive music of the lot. Not surprisingly, when King Crimson reconvened for 2000's The ConstruKction of Light, the trio brought with them a similarly aggressive countenance. Although the first to be formed, ProjeKct One were actually the second to be implemented. Membership included Bruford, Fripp, Gunn, and Levin. Their three-part contribution is exceptional, with the rhythm-centric unit blazing through "4 i 1" with a fervor recalling the "further out" expeditions of the mid-'70s band. By contrast, "2 ii 3" presents a languid and melodic soundscape from Fripp that preludes "4 ii 4"'s jazzier tone probe. "Sus-tayn-Z" is the only entry from Belew, Fripp, and Gunn, aka ProjeKct Two. The multiple layers begin with a bagpipe-like resonance as the piece provides Belew an opportunity to shift his attentions from the guitar to the drum kit -- which he pulls off with considerable aplomb. "The Deception of the Thrush" became one of the more specific pieces to have been the direct product of the ProjeKcts. Not only did the third and fourth combos, respectively, groom the composition for use, they continued to explore it upon the reinstatement of King Crimson circa The ConstruKction of Light. Fripp, Gunn, Levin, and Mastelotto made up ProjeKct Four. The five segments of "Ghost" that conclude the disc allow the musicians to interact with the indomitable freedom and sheer abandon that have become the calling cards of King Crimson since their debut in 1969. While seasoned enthusiasts are encouraged to give this disc a spin, curious consumers may find it too demanding. ~ Lindsay Planer, All Music Guide