Groundbreaking guitarists Andy Summers and Robert Fripp are set to release an expansive four-disc collection, The Complete Recordings 1981 - 1984, featuring newly remixed and previously unheard material. Available on March 28, 2025, this 3CD/1 Blu-ray set captures the full scope of Summers and Fripp’s innovative collaboration, including their seminal albums I Advance Masked and Bewitched, along with a newly assembled third album, Mother Hold the Candle Steady, composed of unreleased material mixed and curated by David Singleton.
Originally conceived in the early 1980s while Summers was at the height of his career with The Police and Fripp had just reignited King Crimson, these albums showcased the duo’s boundary-pushing approach to guitar composition. From the intricate interplay of I Advance Masked to the melodic textures of Bewitched, their recordings defied expectations, blending experimentalism with evocative soundscapes.
The Blu-ray edition enhances the listening experience with high-resolution 24/96 stereo mixes and 5.1 DTS-HD MA surround sound, newly mixed by David Singleton. Fans will also be treated to an exclusive ‘fly on the wall’ audio documentary, Can We Record Tony?—drawn from Fripp’s personal archive of improvisational sessions, offering a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into their creative process. The collection is presented in a lavish 10-panel book-sized digisleeve, featuring a 16-page booklet with in-depth sleeve notes and newly conducted interviews with Summers and Fripp by King Crimson biographer Sid Smith. Additionally, Singleton’s ‘Tale of the Tapes’ details the unexpected discovery of lost recordings, which ultimately led to the creation of the previously unheard Mother Hold the Candle Steady.
In tandem with this comprehensive box set, a newly remixed 200-gram audiophile vinyl edition of I Advance Masked—featuring a 2024 stereo mix by David Singleton—will also be released. This special vinyl edition includes two previously unreleased tracks, ‘Skyline’ and ‘Entropy Pulse’, created from unfinished solos found on the original multitrack tapes. According to Singleton, modern digital tools allowed him to “construct a coherent backing and seamlessly blend the solos into fully realized duets.” The tracks will also be released as digital singles: ‘Skyline’ on January 31, 2025, and ‘Entropy Pulse’ on February 28, 2025.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Summers noted, “The most exquisite moments in music are when you connect with the other players, when you fly, when you touch the spirit and the audience is there with you.”
This long-awaited collection offers a definitive look at one of the most adventurous and musically sophisticated collaborations of the early ’80s, giving longtime fans and new listeners alike a chance to experience Summers and Fripp’s visionary work in its fullest form.
Andy Summers and Robert Fripp’s The Complete Recordings 1981 - 1984 and I Advance Masked (2024 Mix) 200gm Vinyl will be released worldwide on March 28, 2025.
