King Crimson – The ConstruKction Of Light

Each in his own style, Fripp and Belew, on King Crimson and numerous recordings by others on which they guested, have known exactly what notes to play to enhance a song. That they came together for as many years as they did will one day be appreciated for the miracle of the music they created. Tony Levin in former incarnations of KC is better known, but Trey Gunn on The Construktion of light--much enhanced on this CD (I have the 1 CD, 1 DVD version)--seems just miles beyond about anything played on the bass (he plays a tapping instrument, the Warr guitar) that I have heard that is accompanying a song, not just soloing and showing off. It is enormously complex, yet very successful. This improved and better defined bass is worth the price of the CD. The acoustic drums are an improvement (why not do it right the first time in 2000?) as are the added segues and ( generally) the mixes. However, on the new mix of LTIA IV, Belew's solo is lower in the mix and the rhythm section is just huge. The thrilling whammy bar bend at the solo's beginning suffers as a result (this is maybe the best guitar bend since Hendrix), and the oscillating feedback at the end of the solo almost vanishes and is faded out. But back to the good points: just a much better sound, real drums instead of e-drums, and (mostly) welcome additions and musical choices that make the album less static. It felt a bit, when it was released in 2000, at times not quite realized (I read on wiki they did not take this on the road before recording). This i an improvement. For example, Frakctured has more drive; I like it a lot more and can see why they were fascinated with the chiming unison and off-unison interplay. This music is far ahead of its time; this--and these amazing players--one day (in 3030?) will be more appreciated one day.

The sound is fantastic, as the rest of the KC reissues over the past years. In my opinion, this new version of the album is better than the original in some tracks (like "Into the Frying Pan" or "Larks' IV"), but in others (especially "The ConstruKction of Light") I felt that the original mix was more natural and the new one was out of place, but it's only my opinion. I wish that they had reissued also the original mix on vinyl, but, if I had to choose which one to buy, I'd still take the ReconstruKction.
Also, the two extra tracks on side 4 are awesome!

I gave 4 stars for the simple reason that "FraKctured" misses the first or so second of the track, as someone else mentioned.

I wish they would release the original mix on vinyl. I can't stand when artists go back and alter past works.

I just couldn't get in to The ReconstruKction Of Light/ The construKction Of Light but I LOVE Projekct X -heaven and earth
(hence my combined rating of 3 stars out of 5 for this 2 disc package)
and at time of purchase in 2021 this 2 disc release was the easiest and cheapest way for me to pick up a physical copy of that album.

bad stuff out of the way first, yes it was improperly upsampled from 44.1 to 48khz and plays slightly too fast (its the same transfer as the Heaven & Earth mega box)

its not such a problem with instrumental/abstract music like this as it is with vocal performances. if you haven't heard the original i don't think you'd realise there was a problem.

so what do we have here?
Heaven & Earth is a magnificent stew of Outside-era Bowie, Industrial, Dub, Dark Ambient and Drum & Bass stitched together by Pat Mastelotto and Bill Munyan
Fans of Thrakattakc will love Heaven & Earth
Fans of Killing Joke in Dub (especially disc 2) will enjoy it, it has that same vibe of a rock group being fed through a mincer.

Its not easy for me to tell which track i'm listening to but there was a sublime moment of classic King Crimson late on in the album. it reminded me of the start of the USA album. a looped riff in a wierd time signature rattled along then Fripp played this beautiful lilting lyrical David Cross style solo over the top.
Yet At times i was also reminded of Ministry's track reload from filth pig

i'd recommend consuming this as a whole album, get comfortable with your choice of intoxicant , close your eyes play it loud and let the images form in your head

Was 'Coda: I Have A Dream' omitted from the vinyl version?

It's more than just new drums. The entire album has been adjusted in various areas. Some I like and think improve it, some I don't, and in some areas I wish he'd gone even further (like removing ProzaKc Blues entirely or at least relegating it to a "bonus" track at the end somewhere - what a terrible opener) but it certainly earns its' new cover and title.

Stunning pressing. Superb sound quality. No ticks,pops or surface noise. Excellent packaging. Highly Recommended. Buy with confidence.

My copy cuts in pretty abruptly on side two at the beginning of FraKctured. I think the first half second of the track, with the mounting bass before the first guitar note, is missing from the cut.

VINYL-official release...Stunning package. Lovely gatefold with lyrics. Poly lined card inners. The sound quality is superb. No ticks. No pops. Inky black silence on quiet passages,and between tracks. Absolutely no complaints. 10/10