KING CRIMSON — Larks' Tongues In Aspic (1981) Three Version (1987, Japan, EMI-Toshiba, 32VD-1122) + (1988, Virgin Japan, VJD-28003 | Serie Big Artist Collection) + (2012, RM | 2CD | King Crimson 40th Anniversary Series) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

King Crimson reborn yet again -- the then-newly configured band makes its debut with a violin (courtesy of David Cross) sharing center stage with Robert Fripp's guitars and his Mellotron, which is pushed into the background. The music is the most experimental of Fripp's career up to this time -- though some of it actually dated (in embryonic form) back to the tail-end of the Boz Burrell-Ian Wallace-Mel Collins lineup. And John Wetton was the group's strongest singer/bassist since Greg Lake's departure three years earlier. What's more, this lineup quickly established itself as a powerful performing unit, working in a more purely experimental, less jazz-oriented vein than its immediate predecessor. "Outer Limits music" was how one reviewer referred to it, mixing Cross' demonic fiddling with shrieking electronics, Bill Bruford's astounding dexterity at the drum kit, Jamie Muir's melodic and usually understated percussion, Wetton's thundering yet melodic bass, and Fripp's guitar, which generated sounds ranging from traditional classical and soft pop-jazz licks to hair-curling electric flourishes. Bruce Eder
Tracklist :
1. Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part One (13:36)
Bill Bruford / David Cross / Robert Fripp / Jamie Muir / John Wetton
2. Book Of Saturday (02:56)
Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James / John Wetton
3. Exiles (07:41)
David Cross / Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James
4. Easy Money (07:53)
Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James / John Wetton
5. The Talking Drum (07:27)
Bill Bruford / David Cross / Robert Fripp / Jamie Muir / John Wetton
6. Larks' Tongues In Aspic, Part Two (07:08)
Robert Fripp
Credits :
Robert Fripp – Guitars, Mellotron, Electric Piano, Devices
John Wetton – Bass Guitar, Vocals, Piano on "Exiles"
Bill Bruford – Drums
David Cross – Violin, Viola, Mellotron, Electric Piano, Flute on "Exiles"[9]
Jamie Muir – Percussion, "allsorts"
(assorted found items and sundry instruments)
Producer – King Crimson

KING CRIMSON — Starless And Bible Black (1981) Four Version (1987, Virgin Japan, 32VD-1123) + (1988, Serie Big Artist Collection | Virgin Japan, VJD-28004) + (1990, Virgin Japan, VJCP-2306) + (2011, USA | RM | Serie King Crimson 40th Anniversary Series) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Starless and Bible Black is even more powerful and daring than its predecessor, Larks' Tongues in Aspic, with jarring tempo shifts, explosive guitar riffs, and soaring, elegant, and delicate violin and Mellotron parts scattered throughout its 41 minutes, often all in the same songs. The album was on the outer fringes of accessible progressive rock, with enough musical ideas explored to make Starless and Bible Black more than background for tripping the way Emerson, Lake & Palmer's albums were. "The Night Watch," a song about a Rembrandt painting, was, incredibly, a single release, although it was much more representative of the sound that Crimson was abandoning than where it was going in 1973-1974. More to that point were the contents of side two of the LP, a pair of instrumentals that threw the group's hardest sounds right in the face of the listener, and gained some converts in the process. Bruce Eder
Tracklist :
1. The Great Deceiver (04:03)
Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James / John Wetton
2. Lament (04:05)
Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James / John Wetton
3. We'll Let You Know (03:42)
Bill Bruford / David Cross / Robert Fripp / John Wetton
4. The Night Watch (04:40)
Robert Fripp / Richard Palmer-James / John Wetton
5. Trio (05:41)
Bill Bruford / David Cross / Robert Fripp / John Wetton
6. The Mincer (04:11)
Bill Bruford / Richard Palmer-James / Robert Fripp / John Wetton
7. Starless And Bible Black (09:10)
Bill Bruford / David Cross / Robert Fripp / John Wetton
8. Fracture (11:15)
Robert Fripp
Credits :
Bass, Voice – John Wetton
Guitar, Mellotron, Electronics [Devices] – Robert Fripp
Lyrics By – Richard Palmer-James
Percussion [Percussives] – William Bruford
Producer – King Crimson
Violin, Viola, Keyboards – David Cross (tracks: 3, 5 to 7)

KING CRIMSON — Red (1981) Four Version (1987, Japan EMI-Toshiba, 32VD-1086) + (1988, Serie Big Artist Collection | Japan, Virgin, VJD-28021) + (1990, RM | Serie The Definitive Edition | Japan, Virgin, VJCP-2307) + (2013, USA | RM | 2CD | Serie King Crimson 40th Anniversary Series) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

King Crimson fell apart once more, seemingly for the last time, as David Cross walked away during the making of this album. It became Robert Fripp's last thoughts on this version of the band, a bit noiser overall but with some surprising sounds featured, mostly out of the group's past – Mel Collins' and Ian McDonald's saxes, Marc Charig's cornet, and Robin Miller's oboe, thus providing a glimpse of what the 1972-era King Crimson might've sounded like handling the later group's repertory (which nearly happened). Indeed, Charig's cornet gets just about the best showcase it ever had on a King Crimson album, and the truth is that few intact groups could have gotten an album as good as Red together. The fact that it was put together by a band in its death throes makes it all the more impressive an achievement. Indeed, Red does improve in some respects on certain aspects of the previous album – including "Starless," a cousin to the prior album's title track – and only the lower quality of the vocal compositions keeps this from being as strongly recommended as its two predecessors. Bruce Eder
Tracklist :
1. Red (6:17)
2. Fallen Angel (6:03)
3. One More Red Nightmare (7:10)
4. Providence (8:10)
5. Starless (12:17)
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Ian McDonald
Bass, Vocals – John Wetton
Cornet – Marc Charig
Guitar, Mellotron – Robert Fripp
Oboe – Robin Miller
Percussion [Percussives] – William Bruford
Soprano Saxophone – Mel Collins
Violin – David Cross

U.K. - U.K. (1978-2014) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The debut album from amalgamated progsters John Wetton, Bill Bruford, Eddie Jobson, and Allan Holdsworth has the edge over both Danger Money and Night After Night because of the synthesis of melody and rhythm that is inflicted through nearly every one of the eight tracks. While not as commercial sounding as Wetton's 1980s supergroup Asia, U.K. mustered up a progressive air by the use of intelligent keyboard and percussion interplay without sounding mainstream. Jobson's work with the electric violin and assorted synthesizers adds to an already profound astuteness carried by Wetton. Former Yes and Genesis drummer Bill Bruford is just as important behind the kit, making his presence felt on numbers like "Thirty Years" and "Nevermore." Without carrying the same rhythms or cadences through each song, U.K. implements some differentiation into their music, straying from the sometimes over-the-top musicianship that occurs with the gathering of such an elite bunch. The melodious finish of such tracks as "By the Light of Day" and "Alaska" showcases the overall fluency of each member, and shows no signs of any progressive tediousness that could have easily evolved. All three of U.K.'s albums are enjoyable, but the debut sports the most interest, since it spotlights their remarkable fit as a band for the first time. by Mike DeGagne 
Tracklist:
1 In The Dead Of Night  5:38
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
2 By The Light Of Day  4:32
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
3 Presto Vivace And Reprise  2:58
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
4 Thirty Years  8:05
Written-By – Bruford, Jobson, Wetton
5 Alaska  4:45
Written-By – Jobson
6 Time To Kill  4:55
Written-By – Bruford, Jobson, Wetton
7 Nevermore  8:09
Written-By – Holdsworth, Jobson, Wetton
8 Mental Medication  6:12
Written-By – Holdsworth, Bruford, Jobson
Bonus Tracks
9 In The Dead Of Night - Single Version 3:03
10 Mental Medication - Single Edit 3:25
Credits
Drums [Kit Drums], Percussion – Bill Bruford
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Violin [Electric], Keyboards, Electronics – Eddie Jobson
Voice, Bass – John Wetton

U.K. – Danger Money (1979-2014) RM | SHM-CD | FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The follow-up album has Terry Bozzio taking over the drumming. It features exceptional synth work by Eddie Jobson and bass and vocals from John Wetton. Paul Kohler

Tracklist :
1 Danger Money 8:15
2 Rendezvous 6.02 5:00
3 The Only Thing She Needs 7:57
4 Caesar's Palace Blues 4:45
5 Nothing To Lose 3:58
6 Carrying No Cross 12:22

– BONUS TRACKS –

7 Rendezvous 6:02 (US Single Version / Different Mix)
Credits :
Drums, Percussion – Terry Bozzio
Keyboards, Violin [Electric] – Eddie Jobson
Lead Vocals, Bass – John Wetton
Written-By, Arranged By – Eddie Jobson, John Wetton

U.K. - Night After Night (1979-2014) RM / SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The third and final record by the progressive rock trio U.K. was recorded during a 1979 concert in Japan, although it was not released until after the group disbanded; by this time the group featured bassist and lead vocalist John Wetton with ex-Zappa sidemen Eddie Jobson (keyboards and electric violin) and drummer Terry Bozzio. "Night After Night" serves a driving opener, followed by "Rendezvous 6:02," primarily a feature for Jobson's keyboard wizardry. The instrumental "Alaska" is a bit bombastic on the scale of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, though the hard-rocking "In the Dead of Night" makes up for it. Jobson switches to violin for the high-energy closer, "Caesar's Palace Blues" (which is not actually a blues). This is easily the best of U.K.'s rather small discography. by Ken Dryden
Tracklist:
1 Night After Night 5:23
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
2 Rendezvous 6:02 5:17
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
3 Nothing To Lose 5:26
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
4 As Long As You Want Me Here 5:07
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
5 Alaska 2:20
Written-By – Jobson
6 Time To Kill 6:12
Written-By – Bruford, Eddie Jobson, Wetton
7 Presto Vivace 1:02
Written-By – Jobson
8 In The Dead Of Night 6:23
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
9 Caesar's Palace Blues 5:06
Written-By – Jobson, Wetton
Bonus Track
10 When Will You Realize 3:25
Written-By – Eddie Jobson
Credits:
Drums, Percussion – Terry Bozzio
Keyboards, Violin [Electric Violin] – Eddie Jobson
Voice [Lead Voice], Bass Guitar – John Wetton

ASIA - Asia (1982-2013) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

This marriage of four players with impressive pedigrees proved to be the success story of 1982 when Asia's debut lodged itself at the top of the U.S. album charts for two months. The album spawned a massive number four single in "Heat of the Moment," a follow-up Top 20 hit in the sweeping "Only Time Will Tell," and a handful of other tracks that received heavy radio play despite going against the grain of the new wave styling of the day. Produced by Mike Stone, Asia's strengths were the powerful vocals of John Wetton, the nimble, classically tinged guitar work of Steve Howe, Geoffrey Downes' majestic keyboard playing, and anchoring the band, Carl Palmer's propulsive drumming. The lyrics are overwrought at moments, but there's no denying the epic grandeur of the music, which provided some much-needed muscle to radio at the time, and did so with style. by Tom Demalon

Tracklist:

1. Heat of the Moment

2. Only Time Will Tell

3. Sole Survivor

4. One Step Closer

5. Time Again

6. Wildest Dreams

7. Without You

8. Cutting It Fine

9. Here Comes The Feeling

Line-Up:

John Wetton - Bass, Lead Vocals, Keyboards 

Carl Palmer - Drums, Percussion 

Steve Howe - Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Vocals 

Geoffrey Downes - Keyboards, Vocals

ASIA - Alpha (1983-2014) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

The eagerly awaited follow-up to the supergroup's debut, Alpha landed with a resounding thud a year later. The album still managed to be a platinum-selling Top Ten hit, as did the leadoff single "Don't Cry," but where Asia managed to make old sounds fresh, Alpha fails miserably. Nothing on Alpha packs the sheer sonic force of the band's debut. Instead, much of the record is lightweight both lyrically and musically, leaning heavier on keyboard-laden ballads like "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes," which managed to scrape into the Top 40, and "My Own Time (I'll Do What I Want)." The only real meat on the record comes during the last cut, "Open Your Eyes" (and only at the end of the song). Rumored creative differences, the album's lukewarm reception, and flagging ticket sales for the ensuing tour led to lead singer John Wetton leaving the band before the year was out. Alpha is sorely disappointing, especially coming on the heels of a promising debut. by Tom Demalon

ASIA - Astra (1985-2014) SHM-CD / FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Released in 1985, Astra is Asia's third studio album and first without guitarist Steve Howe. While somewhat unfairly regarded in comparison to Asia's first two albums, Astra is nonetheless a solid prog rock outing that finds bassist/vocalist John Wetton, keyboardist Geoff Downes, drummer Carl Palmer, and replacement guitarist, Krokus' Mandy Meyer, delivering a set of melodic and driving rock anthems. Admittedly, Astra came on the heels of a tumultuous period for the band that found Wetton unceremoniously booted and replaced by ELP singer Greg Lake right before the highly publicized 1983 live televised concert event Asia in Asia. By 1984, Wetton had been reinstated, but tensions remained and Howe eventually left the band early in the recording process for Astra. Featuring a slightly more arena rock and pop-metal sound, Astra featured two Top Ten singles in the epic "Go" and the dramatic "Too Late." Elsewhere, there was a handful of similarly radio-ready cuts, including the sparkling George Harrison-sounding "Hard On Me," the '50s-influenced synth balladry of "Wishing," and the grand and symphonic rock theatrics of the very Queen-esque "Rock and Roll Dream." Certainly, while Asia is at its best with the original lineup, Astra is a truly underrated '80s rock album and a must-hear for fans. by Matt Collar