VROOOM

VROOOM is a 1994 EP released as a "teaser" for fans who were anxiously awaiting the new, long-rumored six-man lineup. The band broke up in 1984, with everyone going off to do their own projects, but Fripp always had one eye towards getting King Crimson back as a going concern in some form or fashion. After discussion with the other three band members (Levin, Bruford, Belew), they decided to reform, and add two new members, stick/Warr guitarist Trey Gunn, a longtime collaborator with Fripp, and second drummer Pat Mastelotto. Six of the initial studio recordings from the practice and rehearsal sessions were included on the EP. Four of the tracks would appear, in somewhat different versions, on the 1995 album "Thrak."

The CD opens with the instrumental title track, a fast, blood-churning piece reminiscent of older Fripp-driven tracks such as "Red" and "Larks Tongues II." Track 2, "Sex Sleep Eat Drink Dream," is a frenetic piece of Belew whimsy featuring some truly cacophonous instrumental chaos held together by Levin and Mastelotto. "Cage" is a quick funk piece featuring Belew doing the closest thing to a rap Crimson fans would ever hear. "Thrak" is a long, heavy Fripp-driven stomp featuring some gorgeous middle-break improvisation; the band would use this format in concert to feature nightly improvs between the bookend set pieces. "When I Say Stop, Continue" is an interesting improv with swirling, chaotic instrumentals anchored by a throbbing, single-note repetitive drone bass. The CD concludes with a beautifully wistful ballad, "One Time." I actually prefer this earlier version of the track to the several versions released on later studio and live recordings.

The EP can be seen by some as almost irrelevant considering the bulk of the material to follow, but true Crimson fans will want this not only for the two tracks not available on other recordings, but to hear the earlier, rawer iterations of the tracks that would later become staples of the six-man lineup. It's also a good introduction for Crimson fans not familiar with this particular lineup to get a taste of what was to come over the next few years before the "double trio" inevitably split apart.