Record Reviews

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING WARNER BROS. 26433 (Barcode: 075992643320) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 Released: 2000 1st album by one of the most remarkable UK Prog bands Curved AirFind albums by this artist. Formed by violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist, a graduate of the Royal College of Music, they would be one the first ensembles to incorporate classical music directly into their superb compositions. Way`s considerable instrumental skills were well supported by similar talent of the keyboards player Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist and they both composed all of the band`s material. The addition of vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist, a remarkable singer with a unique voice, turned Curved Air into an outstanding creative musical unit. This album is considered to this very day one of the strongest debut Prog releases ever and the instrumental "Vivaldi With Cannons" turned into a Prog anthem. The original album was the first ever vinyl picture disk. A true Prog classic.

Updated: 18/07/2019Posted:

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

CURVED AIR ~ AIR CONDITIONING (EXPANDED EDITION) ESOTERIC 2616 (Barcode: 5013929471641) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock Recorded: 1970 - 1971 Released: 2018 This is a reissue of the debut album by the British Progressive Rock group Curved AirFind albums by this artist, one of the most unique and ambitious representatives of the genre. The band was fronted by the charismatic and idiosyncratic female vocalist Sonja KristinaFind albums by this artist and included two classically trained musicians: violinist Darryl WayFind albums by this artist and keyboardist / guitarist Francis MonkmanFind albums by this artist. Bassist Robert MartinFind albums by this artist and drummer Florian Pilkington-MiksaFind albums by this artist completed the lineup. The album presented ten original songs written or co-written by Way, Monkman and Martin, which offered a unique amalgamation of British Folk, Classical Music, Electronic Music, Rock and Jazz influences, unmatched by any of their contemporaries. This remastered and expanded edition adds one outtake from the original recording sessions and an entire second CD of alternate takes, singles and BBC radio recordings. The somewhat muddy sound quality of the original album was significantly improved on this reissue. When originally released in 1970, the album (and the group) achieved both commercial success and critical acclaim, despite its unconventional sound and complexity, which of course was a sign of the times. Curved Air were one the first British acts to use the violin in their lineup (see also High TideFind albums by this artist and East Of EdenFind albums by this artist) and the first to feature violin to such an extent. Sonja Kristina remains to this very day one of the most distinctive Rock vocalists. She managed to maintain a steady, although less glamorous career over the years, producing a substantial volume of excellent music. She also fronts the reformed edition of Curved Air. Overall this is one of the essential British Classic Rock / Prog albums, which lost absolutely nothing of its strength over time and still sounds fresh and moving today. This reissue is a splendid opportunity for the new generation of music listeners to discover this everlasting classic. Essential piece of music history!

Updated: 18/07/2019Posted: 18/07/2019

CD 2 Digipak Oversampling Remastered Bonus Tracks Essential Recommend To A Friend