ANDY SUMMERS & ROBERT FRIPP - I Advance Masked (1982)

Review and samples by Greg Prato Many a guitar fan would have predicted that a summit between legendary guitarists Andy Summers (the Police) and Robert Fripp (King Crimson) would result in a guitar solofest. But the music on their first collaboration together, I Advance Masked, stresses guitar textures and moods over indulgent soloing. Although the recording sessions weren't entirely enjoyable for Summers (who was experiencing marital problems at the time), some very beautiful music can be found on the resulting album. The music for the track "Girl on a Swing" does an excellent job of conveying the song's title in one's mind, and the duo's guitars weave wonderful polyrhythmic guitar lines throughout "China -- Yellow Leader." "The Truth of Skies" is an atmospheric piece, created by a wash of keyboard sounds and guitar dissonance, while "New Marimba" would have sounded right at home on an early-'80s King Crimson album. I Advance Masked has a dreamlike quality to it, and is definitely not typical rock music. It's highly recommended to fans of these two great and original guitarists. 01 I Advance Masked 02 Under Bridges of Silence 03 China - Yellow Leader 04 In the Cloud Forest 05 New Marimba 06 Girl on a Swing 07 Hardy Country 08 The Truth of Skies 09 Painting and Dance 10 Still Point 11 Lakeland / Aquarelle 12 Seven on Seven 13 Stultified get best track. 2 or 3 other greats.(seven on seven, painting and dance +) me says: the two rehearsing for #2 LP "Bewitched" that IMOP has only one good song. those damn eighties and the "Roland" influence really takes the edge off of all. still some great moments.