This is King Crimson’s second album, released 7 months after the popular debut, In The Court Of The Crimson King. I am sure everybody knows the debut, if not the music – then the iconic cover for sure. I will make an exception today and publish an album cover that doesn’t belong to the album in topic:

In the Wake of Poseidon was recorded from January to April 1970 at the Wessex Sound Studios in London and released on the labels Island, Atlantic and Vertigo. Though the recording was under the influence of conflict and some chaos between the members, it reached a higher position than the debut did. Both Ian McDonald and Michael Giles left the band in 1969, but they are both participating. The same with Greg Lake, who left during the recordings in April and became member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

My personal relationship with King Crimson is more based on my collector’s gen, than a listening one. I own both the mentioned albums and I will estimate I have listened them approximate a handful of times during the last 10 years, today included. I like the psych genre a lot, and I also enjoyed listening some of the titles today. I think the albums are very similar, and for me they reach a level of chaos, that I find difficult do comprehend. I have no idea if it is true, but I suspect Robert Fripp for being most responsible for this part. I am not criticising him as a musician, absolutely not – just a matter of taste I guess. And actually one of my very favourite albums is Evening Star with Fripp and Brian Eno!

Robert Fripp – guitars, mellotron, celesta, pianet
Michael Giles – drums
Greg Lake – vocals
Mel Collins – saxophones, flute
Gordon Haskell – vocals

Peter Giles – bass guitar
Keith Tippett – piano