Fripp/Eno - Essential Fripp & Eno (CD)

All Music Guide

Brian Eno, original member of Roxy Music and a much-sought-after producer, and Robert Fripp, guitar legend and founding member/leader of King Crimson, joined forces in the early '70s and recorded a pair of out-there albums, 1973's No Pussyfooting and 1975's Evening Star. The Essential Fripp and Eno compiles several selections from the two albums, and adds four previously unavailable tracks ("Healthy Colours" Pts. I, II, III, and IV). The only problem is that the material is rather boring -- electronic instrumentals with nothing really going on. Even though they may have singlehandedly invented the new age musical genre with this album, the songs go on for far too long (the first two tracks, "The Heavenly Music Corporation" and "Swastika Girls," last for a combined 39 minutes). Maybe these two musical legends wanted to break away from the music you automatically associate them with, but were characterless instrumentals really the way to go?

- Greg Prato, All Music Guide