EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Works Volume 2 (1977-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

After the rather dull Works, Vol. 1, the highly underrated Works, Vol. 2 is a godsend. Works, Vol. 1 took their pompous, bombastic, keyboard-driven prog rock epics to the limit; had it been stripped of its excesses and coupled with the strongest cuts from Works, Vol. 2, the band may have had an enormous success with critics and fans alike. Volume 2's brief, eclectic compositions cover an array of musical styles, combining stimulating originals and handsomely orchestrated renditions of "Maple Leaf Rag," "Honky Tonk Train Blues," and "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Lake peppers the tunes with guitar and bass flourishes, resulting in some of his most challenging instrumental work, and both he and Palmer deliver incredibly strong performances. Meanwhile,Peter Sinfield contributes some of his most mature and accomplished lyrics. Emerson's work is solid and creative, but sounds a bit dated, which is part of why the band couldn't endure. Unlike some ELP albums, Volume 2's brief pieces sustain interest; there really isn't a weak tune in the set. The five instrumentals are highlighted by two short prog rock tunes, including the jazzy "Bullfrog," which features Lake's brief jazz bass solo and Palmer's fluid, versatile drumming. "Barrelhouse Shake-down" and "Maple Leaf Rag" showcase Emerson's superb ragtime and barrelhouse piano playing, and Palmer's jazz fusion/marching band piece, "Close But Not Touching," features horns and Lake's psychedelic electric guitar lines. The vocal pieces are equally interesting. "Brain Salad Surgery" is progressive jazz-rock that bears some resemblance to King Crimson's "Cat Food," unsurprising since each features Lake singing Sinfield's lyrics. And, of course, there is the hit "I Believe in Father Christmas," a beautiful Lake/Sinfield composition that highlights Lake's strong voice and vibrant acoustic guitar. David Ross Smith
Tracklist :
1.    Tiger In A Spotlight    4:34
2.    When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine 3:55
3.    Bullfrog    3:52
4.    Brain Salad Surgery    3:05

5.    Barrelhouse Shake-Down    3:47
6.    Watching Over You    3:55
7.    So Far To Fall    4:56
8.    Maple Leaf Rag    1:55
9.    I Believe In Father Christmas    3:16
10.        Close But Not Touching    3:19
11.        Honky Tonk Train Blues    3:09
12.        Show Me The Way To Go Home    3:30
13.        Bo Diddley    5:13
14.        Humbug    2:30
15.        The Pancha Suite    2:57
Credits :
Drums – Carl Palmer
Keyboards – Keith Emerson
Vocals, Bass Guitar, Producer – Greg Lake

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Love Beach (1978-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Don't be fooled by the Bee Gees-esque cover photo, Love Beach is not really ELP gone pop. True, many of the songs are more concise and accessible than those on previous albums, and there are a couple of Greg Lake-dominated "romantic" tunes, but those had always been part of the deal. They're still classically rockin' along on "Canario," and half the album is dominated by the 20-minute epic "Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman," reminiscent of such long-form ELP classics as "Trilogy." Jim Allen
Tracklist :
1.    All I Want Is You 2:34
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
2.    Love Beach 2:44
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
3.    Taste Of My Love 3:31
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
4.    The Gambler 3:21
Written-By – Lake, Emerson, Sinfield
5.    For You 4:27
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
6.    Canario (From Fantasía Para Un Gentilhombre) 3:57
Written-By – J. Rodrigo
7.    Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman    
7a.    Prologue / The Education Of A Gentleman 5:34
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7b.    Love At First Sight 5:36
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7c.    Letters From The Front 5:18
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7d.    Honourable Company (A March) 3:46
Written-By – Emerson
– BONUS TRACKS –
8.    Canario (Rehearsal 1978)    4:39
9.    Taste Of My Love (Rehearsal 1978)    3:02
10.    Letters From The Front (Rehearsal 1978)    8:5
Credits :
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Black Moon (1992-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Returning to the studio after a 14-year layoff, Emerson, Lake & Palmer stripped down their sound and amped up their attack for 1992's BLACK MOON. Its closest sonic cousin is the mid-'80s album Emerson and Lake recorded with drummer Cozy Powell. Sharp digital electronics replace Keith Emerson's classic analog synthesizer sounds, and the fanciful, classical-influenced prog-rock epics of yore are streamlined into a more accessible mainstream rock format, though some traces of the trio's vintage flash still pop up. Jim Allen
Tracklist :
1.    Black Moon 6:59
Written-By – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
2.    Paper Blood 4:29
Written-By – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
3.    Affairs Of The Heart 3:47
Written-By – Geoff Downes, Greg Lake
4.    Romeo And Juliet 3:43
Arranged By – Keith Emerson
Written-By – Prokofiev
5.    Farewell To Arms 5:11
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
6.    Changing States 6:02
Written-By – Keith Emerson
7.    Burning Bridges 4:46
Written-By – Mark Mancina
8.    Close To Home 4:29
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
9.    Better Days 5:36
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
10.    Footprints In The Snow 3:52
Written-By – Greg Lake
– BONUS TRACK –
11.    A Blade Of Grass 2:14
Written-By – Keith Emerson
Credits :
Drums – Carl Palmer
Guitar – Greg Lake
Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer – Keith Emerson