A collection like this is hard to capture in a track by track review setting. These tracks are, by definition, more atmospheric and textural. There is a certain sameness to all of it. It's music from reflection and feeling more than it is for deep analysis. Still, having to do the track by track review, I've done my best to differentiate the pieces. Don't get me wrong. Nothing here seems redundant, and there are several different flavors to the pieces. It's all on the mellower, less dramatic side of the equation, though.

Robert Fripp provides both the soundscapes and the guitar work here. This is a stunning package. Eight CDs of music are encased in gatefold cardboard sleeves. A massive book that is mostly the photographs meant to accompany each piece takes up the final position in the cardboard box that encases all of this. The packaging is impressive enough to earn it one of our MSJ bonus videos. The music is captivating and mood-setting, and the whole thing is definitely worthwhile.

That Music Street Journal bonus video about this set can be found at youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8B1K03nC0

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) form in Music Street Journal: 2022  Volume 2. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2022.

Trippy atmospherics bring this in, and the cut gradually evolves ever so slightly from there. There are some cool guitar melodies that eventually emerge. This is quite an effective and lush piece.

There is an almost ominous, horror film type tone as this piece gets going. The tone changes more to one of electronic exploration after a time. I'm reminded to some degree of Synergy. This is another extended piece of music. It brings a bit different flavor to the set, too.

This rises up gradually with a sense of magic and drama at its core. There is a real symphonic vibe to it, but delivered electronically. There are some intriguing textures and moods to this piece.

Coming in atmospheric, this works upward toward almost symphonic mellow sounds. Fripp's guitar is particularly expressive and this song has a real melancholy texture to it.

While this is not a rocker, the electric guitar sounds on this have a bit more meat on their bones that a lot of the music we've heard here. There is still plenty of ambient sound in the background of the composition.

Coming in tentative, dramatic and rather symphonic, this gradually works out to slow moving magic with expressive guitar over the top. I think this has some of the most effective guitar work of the whole set, and that really says a lot. The audience can be heard at the end of this track.

This is the epic of the set, taking up the whole seventh disc and running almost 44-and-a-half minutes. It comes in with waves of symphonic texture that hold it in an almost classical music way for a time. This grows gradually and works through some deeply evocative moments in places. This music isn't meant for wide ranging dynamics or stunning passages. It's built for restful and comforting effect, and as such it works really well.

The electronics that bring this in are lush and contemplative. At more than 16-minutes of music, this is an extended piece. It's also a satisfying sonic tapestry.