King Crimson: Adrian Belew (vocals, guitar); Greg Lake, Boz (vocals, bass); Robert Fripp (guitar, keyboards); Ian McDonald (woodwinds, keyboards, Mellotron); Mel Collins (saxophone); Keith Tippett (piano); Peter Giles, Tony Levin (bass); Michael Giles (drums, percussion); Bill Bruford (percussion); Peter Sinfield.

Additional personnel: Robin Miller (oboe); Mark Charig (cornet).

Recorded between 1969 & 1984. Includes liner notes by Robert Fripp.

THE CONCISE KING CRIMSON touts itself as a "pocket condensation" of the 1991 box set THE ESSENTIAL KING CRIMSON. What this means is that those either ignorant of who the band was/is or too economically constrained to shell out the bucks necessary for the box have a golden opportunity to hear classic Crimson tracks re-mastered by Robert Fripp in technologically "definitive" editions.

CONCISE offers a broad cross-section of KC history, from its halcyon, fire-breathing beginnings up through the progressive techno-gamelan hybrids that swept across the punk-seared landscape of the early '80s. Perhaps the self-acknowledged Crimsophile might recommend this audio summation of the band's legendary recordings to an unschooled neophyte. It's a dandy introduction for the financially challenged folks who want just a foretaste before dining at the grand Crimson table.