THE CHAMPAIGN-URBANA SESSIONS, 1983

The new 80ies incarnation of King Crimson made a head start. In 1981 the excellent "Discipline" was released and this was followed by "Beat" in 1982. Touring went well and when it became 1983 it was time to think about yet another album. From January 17 until 30 they went to C.V. Lloyd Music in Champaign-Urbana to rehearse for the next album. In the end, no album was released in 1983 by KC. So can these sessions been regarded as the lost 1983 album by KC?

Actually this one is rather good. The music is more experimental than on, let's say "Three of a Perfect Pair". Of course most of the material is rather fragmented, but since some of the tracks segue into each other this doesn't bother. There are some nice heavy, groovy tracks ("San Fransisco", "Tony bass riff", "Not one of those"). You can also find complete tracks that could easily have been included on a regular album (Steinberger Melody" and "Grace Jones"). The track "Fragmented" was recorded as "Industry" on the already mentioned "Three of a Perfect Pair", I prefer this version however. A good one is also "Heat in the Jungle" (a faster and heavier "Thela Hun Ginjeet"). Not everything is positive of course. Pointless noodling is present in tracks like "Reel 3 Jam".

In conclusion I can say that this is an interesting album. Certainly not one of their best, but I rank it higher than "Three of a Perfec Pair".