King Crimson - Larks' Tongue in Aspic Complete Recording Sessions - Atmos / 5.1 Blu-ray immersive release

It is time to celebrate again with the 50th anniversary edition of King Crimson's iconic 1973 album “Larks' Tongue in Aspic” the Complete Recording Sessions. Using advanced audio technology this 2023 edition over 2CDs + 2Blu-Rays features an all-new Dolby Atmos mix, along with updated 5.1 Surround and 2.0 hi-res Stereo mixes by Steven Wilson.

Get immersed in the world of King Crimson with this special release. Encased in gatefold sleeves and accompanied by a booklet within a sturdy slipcase, this edition also features fresh sleeve-notes by King Crimson's biographer, Sid Smith.

Naturally, here at Hi-Res Edition we focus on the Blu-Ray discs which offer a treasure trove of audio delights, including brand-new 2023 mixes by Steven Wilson in Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround Sound, and Hi-Res Stereo, bringing a new dimension to these timeless tracks. Additionally, dig down into the 2023 Elemental Mixes by David Singleton, which encompass the complete studio recordings from the album sessions. These tracks have been meticulously re-mixed from the original performances and are presented for the first time in Hi-Res 24/96 stereo.

Also, the set includes Hi-Res stereo mixes of the original stereo masters and enjoy David Singleton's audio documentary, "Keep That One, Nick," originally featured in the 2012 boxed set. These are the sole inclusions on the disc that have been released previously.

For on-the-go listeners the CDs provide a captivating listening experience the includes the 2023 Steven Wilson stereo mix and instrumentals, freshly updated for a new generation of KC fans. Plus keep the music spinning while rolling on the road with the 2023 David Singleton Elemental Mixes and carefully selected master reels for an updated perspective on these beloved tracks.

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp once declared, "This band is more King Crimson than it's ever been. All the original ideals and aspirations are there - love, respect, and compatible ideas. It’s a magic band!" These words set the stage for the band's ongoing evolution.

Looking back at the history of the album, in July 1972, the world learned that Bill Bruford and John Wetton were joining King Crimson, hailing from Yes and Family, respectively. This groundbreaking news marked a pivotal moment in music history. Joining them were Jamie Muir, a prominent figure in London's jazz scene, and David Cross from the band Waves. The band's magic was put to the test during an extensive UK tour, where they showcased their evolving material, including the groundbreaking "Larks' Tongues in Aspic."

Recorded in early 1973 and released later that year, "Larks’ Tongues in Aspic" quickly became one of King Crimson’s most acclaimed albums, solidifying its status as a seminal release in rock music. After a series of UK concerts, Jamie Muir departed, leaving the quartet to continue their journey, achieving even greater success until they went on an indefinite hiatus in the summer of 1974.

These new Dolby Atmos mixes reveal the vast scope of the individual elements and performances that make up the album. All the mixes, including Steven's new stereo mixes, David’s Elemental mixes, and Alex and David’s session mixes, showcase the complexity and depth of this music. While originally released in stereo on vinyl, CD, and 8Track cartridge in 1973, it is only in recent years that the available mix options and audio formats have expanded to fully capture and present the material in high quality audio.

Alex R. Mundy and David Singleton at DGM painstakingly mixed every single take from the original studio sessions, offering listeners a unique and immersive experience akin to being in the studio with the musicians. The "Elemental mixes" extend this approach to the album's main tracks, providing fresh perspectives and hidden nuances. This collection includes extended mixes of "Larks' 1," "Talking Drum," "Easy Money," and "Larks' 2." All this remarkable material can be found on the first Blu-Ray of this special edition.

The second Blu-Ray takes listeners on a journey through every single session recording from the original studio dates, all meticulously mixed from the multitrack tapes and presented in the order of their recording dates, in pure Hi-Res 24/96 stereo. This represents a vast collection of previously unreleased studio material from those iconic recording sessions.

Additionally, the second Blu-Ray includes the original album mix (30th anniversary master) and the audio documentary "Keep That One, Nick," curated by David Singleton for the 2012 boxed set. These two inclusions are the only previously released titles in this extensive set.

For collectors wondering if they should open their wallet again for this seminal release, not only has the original album been updated into Atmos, but the inclusion of the copious session material makes this a must have. Newbies to King Crimson will find this is a good place to start, and deep dive collectors of progressive rock will certainly want to immerse themselves. For a look back at the differences between this and the 40th Anniversary edition, please see this article.

Releases October 13, 2023.

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 About the Author

Wesley is a lifelong music enthusiast. He started his career in the recording industry in New York City as an audio engineer, producer, and studio manager. Subsequently he toured across America as a guitarist with the short-lived band Land's Crossing. After many years in the technology sector and amassing a substantial vinyl and CD collection, he delved into immersive audio and created Hi-Res Edition to share with other listeners about the sound quality and discrete mixes available on many formats. He recently upgraded his system to 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and continues to seek out and share about the best sounding releases.