"1999" is, if I'm non mistaken, the firstly album past times Robert Fripp featuring alone his soundscapes performances (differentiated from Frippertronics every bit beingness a wholly digital experience whereas Frippertronics relied on tape loops). Essentially, it is Fripp, his guitar, a serial of effects together with looping equipment. It is non music that is for everyone-- for those familiar amongst Fripp's guitar locomote amongst King Crimson, this is non the form of jaw dropping materials he played amongst that band, instead it is similar to his locomote amongst Brian Eno-- inwards fact ambient music. In addition, it is wholly improvised, together with then all structure, implied or not, is spontanteous. And without such things every bit concrete melody, this music tin laissez passer on the axe oftentimes endure extremely hard to bargain with.
Having stated that, "1999"-- 5 unedited alive recordings from 1994 is a decent illustration of the shape (though non the best-- I've reserve that for "A Blessing of Tears"). The music moves betwixt black together with haunting ("1999"), horrific ("2000"), achingly beautiful ("2001"), meandering (the appropriately titled together with fortunately only edited rails on the record, "Interlude"), together with gentle ("2002"). Remarkably, the only rails I actually dislike is the "Interlude", which comes closest to sounding similar a guitar, the residue has an orchestral experience to it, the pure amount of noise generated at a minimum is pretty impressive.
If you're novel to soundscapes, start amongst the easier to uncovering "A Blessing of Tears", but if you're familiar amongst this work, rails this ane down, it is an interesting together with rewarding release.
Robert Fripp's "1999" CD from 1994 was released during a fourth dimension when the legendary guitarist was making a major comeback. King Crimson had returned after a decade-long absence together with Fripp re-emerged amongst his firstly solo performances inwards almost every bit long. 1994 likewise marked the nativity of Fripp's 'soundscaping' technique which was together with all the same is an extension of his 'Frippertronic' experiments of the 1970's together with '80's.
Instead of using 2 tape machines every bit had been the norm amongst 'Frippertronics', Soundscapes utilized digital technology scientific discipline together with guitar-synthesizers to practise together with loop the endless majority of audio created past times Fripp from his guitar. The thought was non a novel ane but the audio definitely was.
Unlike the later on Soundscape albums which consist by together with large of layered calm atmospheric sounds, "1999" by together with large consists of giant crescendo-like pieces that start from pure quiet together with slow educate into harsh together with sometimes abrasive frightening walls of sound. The opening 2 pieces (1999 together with 2000) follow this fashion together with are quite unsettling together with chilling. "2001" is a to a greater extent than calmer slice but all the same has the same regulation every bit the firstly 2 tracks. "Interlude" is an edited slice from a longer functioning together with is quite experimental amongst its sounds which ping-pong betwixt the speakers. Finally, to unopen the album, "2002" points the direction inwards which Fripp would eventually accept his Soundscapes every bit it consists of beautiful ambient layered sounds.
"1999" has locomote somewhat hard to uncovering inwards recent years but if your a fan of King Crimson, Robert Fripp together with Soundscapes, this CD is definitely a must. This was the start of a novel Fripp trademark which continues to this solar daytime together with displays him at his most experimental together with most unpredictable. Recommended!!!
Track Listing:
1. 1999 Pt. 1 (16:08)
2. 2000 (16:02)
3. 2001 (12:52)
4. Interlude (3:59)
5. 2002 (8:29)
Total Time: 57:30
Personnel:
- Robert Fripp / guitar
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