Search - King Crimson :: USA

BE AWARE THAT THERE ARE 2 MINI-SLEEVE VERSIONS!

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 03/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As of January 2006, KC collectors should be aware there are now two mini-sleeve versions of this title.



The 30th Anniversary version, the first release, was a non-glossy, gatefold mini-sleeve CD.



The 2nd version, released 1/06 in Japan, is a single jacket, glossy cover which more closely replicates the original UK cover.



The 2006 OBI: Catalog # IECP-10011



30th Anniversary version: Catalog # CDVKCX12



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

One of the best live recordings ever.

Juan Carlos Escalera Merino | Barcelona, (Barcelona) Spain | 01/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I truly admire the 73-74 King Crimson era. This line-up has some of the best musicians (Fripp-Wetton-Bruford) the prog-rock had. Moreover, they are in the top of their creativity. For many years, this was the only live recording of this crimson incarnation. They were incredibly creative in live performances, with risky improvisations on every night (listen for instance to the wondrous "Asbury park"). Thi albums collects one of their late shows (june 1974) with an excellent sound. There are a lot of editions of this album, especially in Japan. I have several editions, and this is my favourite one. It is an HDCD encoding recording, and the sound has been improved in the japanese edition with respect the european DGM edition. Moreover, the mini-Lp edition it's a beauty. I think the new 2008 japanese edition is in a normal jewel box, and it's not so beautiful. If you like this recording, now you can also find new live recordings of this era. I recommend "the night watch" (1 CD) and the new japanese edition of "the great deceiver, I and II", all of them cover the same 73-74 period, they sound great and the show King Crimson at their best. Though the songs are similars on these albums, you will discover that the performances every night are different. I heartily recommend all this albums."