HEROES

Since this is my first review for Progarchives, I'll keep it short and sweet. I really like the newest line-up of King Crimson, and I have thoroughly enjoyed everything I've heard from them. This latest EP includes a handful of tracks that we have heard from this line-up before, as well as a terrific tribute to the late David Bowie on the title track. Since Mr. Fripp played on the original "Heroes", I've always thought it very appropriate that he would, from time to time, have KC perform this song in concert. I quite liked the version from the Heavy ConstruKction box set, but I feel that this version is even better. While I love Adrian Belew in and out of KC, I never felt that he was quite right for any of the material that was not a part of the albums he was recorded with them. His sometimes nasal vocals did not, I felt, fit into 21st Century Schizoid man, and they weren't a perfect fit for "Heroes" either. I think that Jakko truly outdid himself on this new version of "Heroes", and would highly recommend this EP for Crimson and Bowie fans everywhere.

I docked it a star for the unfortunate edit on Starless.

For over 14 years I've been waiting for King Crimson to comeback to Mexico City, and this will finally happen this weekend (Jul 14), so as you can imagine, I am as excited as a child with a toy. King Fripp and his colleagues will hit the stage for five unique evenings in which we will find a lot of songs from the band's catalogue, including probably the ones featured on this EP.

This is a short EP that shows us the current lineup, with a bunch of extraordinary musicians that have been in the musical scene for so many years making related and non-related King Crimson music. Robert Fripp has gathered a new elegant lineup that brings Jakko as the singer, a man who has a nice voice that perfectly fits with some of the classic tunes. It is a mistake to try to compare his vocal range with Lake, Wetton or Belew, so when you decide to simply enjoy Jakszyk's voice you will be enchanted by his subtle tune.

Fripp originally recorded guitars for "Heroes", an anthem created by David Bowie who passed away last year. He was friend of Fripp (and so many people) so the King decided to play the song in a frequent basis for the last 2016-tour, and even put its name for this new EP: Heroes (Live in Europe 2016), a nice homage to Bowie. The song can be found here in two forms, the one recorded live in Germany, and a radio-edited version. I am eagerly waiting of it to be performed here in my city.

A wonderful version of "Easy Money" is featured here, though the essence does not change, there are so many figures and solos that I assume change every concert as a part of that improvisation they always give. It is relevant what Mel Collins creates here (and in all of the songs of the tour, actually), he can bring a lot of nuances and atmospheres, he is capable of changing our mood with his sax and flute, and in this track one can easily notice that. Of course, mellotron and guitars play also a cool role on this song, which sounds truly powerful with this lineup.

The weak part of this EP is this edited "Starless" version. Man, you know how powerful that song is, how people love it, you cannot give us only a sneak peek of it. The four minutes are cool and let our imagination play, but it is cruel to cut that masterpiece and I think it was a mistake to include this edited form in this release. "Hell Hounds of Krim" show (as KC use to) the talent and interplay of the drummers. For me it is difficult to recognize what three drummers in the same stage can do, I am not a drummer at all but it will be a delight to watch those big guys playing and exciting us. Of course, uncle Tony Levin who is a true KC reference will also give us countless moments of passion and elegancy through his bass and stick.

This is a good but non-essential EP that give us a hint of how the current lineup sound. The highlight is definitely "Easy Money", followed by "Heroes".

Enjoy it!