21st Century Schizoid Band

21st Century Schizoid Band operates as a five-piece ensemble built around former King Crimson personnel Ian McDonald on keyboards, saxes, and vocals, Mel Collins on keyboards and saxes, Peter Giles on bass and backing vocals, and Michael Giles on drums, completed by Jakko Jakszyk handling guitars and vocals. Essentially an all-star King Crimson unit that omits the most prominent figures Robert Fripp and Greg Lake, the project nonetheless delivers far more substance than might be expected. It stands on firmer artistic ground than Creedence Clearwater Revisited or the version of the Byrds once fronted by Michael Clarke, representing a plausible alternate path the original Crimson lineup could have taken after splitting in different ways following 1969. The musicians bring considerable skill to the table and continue to find fresh approaches within the classic repertoire, including Peter Giles, who had stepped away from professional music in 1970.