If asked to describe the music of King Crimson, you might describe it as prog rock meets Syd Barrett and teams up with Alan Holdsworth or John McLaughlin, but in all honesty, there is no one simple way to classify King Crimson because in all honesty, they are just a truly original band.

Coming about as a collaboration of Michael and Peter Giles and adding Guitarist Robert Fripp King Crimson blazed some uncharted territory for rock music from the very end of the sixties on and off again until the early 21st century (meaning no disrespect to any schizoid man thereabouts). Although the Giles Brothers haven’t been members since the early 70’s, the band has forged ahead mainly under the influence and vision of Robert Fripp.

Fripp is an enigma, as he basically inherited the mantle of leader by default, but has definitely over the years taken it to heart as well. Bringing in people such as Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake and Palmer fame) early on and later Adrian Belew (most famous for his work with David Bowie) he utilized the most creative and unique styles available, including his own.

The self proclaimed inventor of “Frippertronics”, a tape loop system to create unusual guitar effects, Fripp also is widely regarded as one of the great improvisation guitarists right up there with John McLaughlin and Allan Holdsworth.

Their albums are equally unique starting with “In the Court of the Crimson King” in 1969, the title track itself is so spacey and far away sounding it reminded me of something the Moody Blues might have done only even more Out There. Coming out with songs like  ”21’st Century Schizoid Man” only made people more and more curious about the wild imaginings of Fripp, Belew and the rest.

Their most recent album “The Power to Believe” was released in 2003 and the current lineup includes Robert Fripp, Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, Pat Mastelotto and Gavin Harrison.

While admittedly, I haven’t listened to every note put out by them, I’ve heard enough to want to go back and rediscover this most unusual and Totally Original Band once again.

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