KING CRIMSON SONGBOOK, VOLUME ONE

Incredible eyewatering smokin' burn down the house post-bop jazz interpretations of 8 King Crimson compositions encompassing periods of the band from 1969-84. This is not just the finest re-invention of King Crimson's music ever, but an immpecable jazz album that evokes shades of Dave Brubeck and even more so the Vince Guaraldi Trio.

The idea for this ambitious project was hatched by the late ex-King Crimson drummer Ian Wallace upon meeting jazz piano virtuoso Jody Nardone during a gig in Nashville, Tennesee in 2004. Upon relocating back to LA they hooked up with master bassist Tim Landers who has played with everyone from Tracey Chapman to Al DiMeola in addition to forming the fusion outfit Vital Information with ex-Journey drummer steve Smith in the early '80s. To put it in a nutshell they just nail every piece featured here from 21st Century Schizoid Man to Three Of A Perfect Pair with passion and precision. Some of the pieces here are cleverly disguised using the magic of the jazzman's craft while others ar more easily recognizable. What they all have in common though is a very bright, fresh and very together sound possessing a warmth which is not present in the more clinical original versions wth plenty of soloing which is a testament to the improvisational potential of the original pieces. With superb engineering there is a live feel here as I could detect no overdubs or studio trickery. In particular, the fat tone Tim Landers' 5 string electric bass adds a lot of depth and he makes it sound like an upright double bass most of the time.

A word of cauttion, however, must be issued here for those expecting cover tribute versions. These are jazz interpretations of King Crimson music of the highest order and as Bob Fripp himself indicates on the liner notes if one is not in tune with the passions and appreciation for more straight traditional jazz then they might wonder what is going on here. For those so inclined though, this is an exquisite treat and an opportunity to hear the King Crimson creature as it's never been heard before wonderfully contorted, twisted and reconstituted which will have jazz afficiados nodding their heads in approval and long time Crimheads experiencing The Crimson King's music in a much different vein. What else 5 stars.