Another decade, another milestone release for “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic.”
The 1973 King Crimson album saw a complete and exhaustive release for its 40th anniversary. Now, in the 50th year, we’re getting a 2 CD/2 Blu-ray set with new mixes in a variety of modern formats.
Mix master Steven Wilson provides his vision of the album in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound and high-res stereo. David Singleton does “Elemental Mixes” of the complete recordings of every session recorded for the album.
The complete recordings were included on the older box set, but “this material has been newly mixed from the original performances and is presented on disc for the first time in Hi-Res 24/96 stereo,” the band’s label says.
(Wilson also provided surround mixes for the earlier anniversary set.)
“Larks’ Tongues” was the fifth studio album by the pioneering Brit prog rockers. Group leader Robert Fripp had rebuilt the band in the wake of the underwhelming album “Islands.” He added, notably, vocalist/bassist John Wetton (Family) and drummer Bill Bruford (Yes). The sound tilted from jazz-influenced prog to one more in tune with the European experimental scene. (Keyboardist) David Cross’ violin playing was a major element in the new King Crimson. It’s widely considered one of the group’s essential works.
“All the original ideals and aspirations are there,” guitarist Fripp said at the time. “It’s a magic band.”
The DGM label cites “the more adventurous mix techniques allowed by the Atmos process ” and says the new versions “are quite different in approach, more expansive than the earlier mixes as released in 2012, while still retaining and enhancing the core power of the original material.”
The album includes the concert staple “Exiles” as well as the one-two punch of “The Talking Drum” and “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part 2.”
Also provided in the set are high-res stereo mixes of the original stereo masters and an audio documentary of the album recording “Keep That One, Nick” (as previously included on the 2012 boxed set).
The 50th anniversary also will see release of a double LP vinyl edition with both the Wilson and Singleton mixes.
The multi-disc and vinyl versions both are set for release Oct. 13.
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