Fripp and Eno: Beyond Even; 1992-2006 (Opal/Southbound)

As mentioned in the previous posting of the Travis and Fripp album, when guitarist Fripp got into the studio alongside musician-without-portfolio Brian Eno for the albums Evening Star and No Pussyfooting in the early 70s a particular magic was created.

Not ambient music (that was to follow from Eno) but more like music as an emotional landscape -- and if that's a description somewhat overloaded with emptiness these days you must remember Fripp and Eno rigorously defined it both musically and intellectually.

This collection of work over a lengthy period shows how little they moved from the original template, which actually proves not how constraining it was, but how rich in endless possibility.

This double disc illustrates the seamlessness of their musical ideology: on one of the discs the gentle and evocative tracks all run into each other and you can't spot the stitching. (The other disc has the tracks separate).

That said, little here releates directly to those two wonderful 70s albums and so if you are new to the game you could pick things up this late in the day and profitably work your way back.

Fripp/Eno aficionados probably need no second invitation.

Hold your breath for the final track however: Fripp's Cross Crisis in Lust Storm is a clanging and commanding affair.