Roots of King Crimson

Fairport Convention are an English folk rock band, formed in 1967 by guitarists Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, bassist Ashley Hutchings and drummer Shaun Frater. They started out influenced by American folk rock, with a set list dominated by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs and a sound that earned them the nickname "the British Jefferson Airplane". Vocalists Judy Dyble and Iain Matthews joined them before the recording of their self-titled debut in 1968; afterwards, Dyble was replaced by Sandy Denny, and Matthews later left during the recording of their third album.

In meteorology, a cloud is an aerosol consisting of a visible mass of miniature liquid droplets, ice crystals, or other particles, suspended in the atmosphere of a planetary body or similar space. Water, primarily, comprises the droplets and crystals. On Earth, clouds are formed as a result of saturation of the air when it is cooled to its dew point, or when it gains sufficient moisture, usually in the form of water vapor, from an adjacent source to raise the dew point to the ambient temperature.

Close to the Edge is the fifth studio album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released in the UK on 8 September 1972 and in the US on 13 September 1972, by Atlantic Records. It is their last album until Union (1991) to feature original drummer Bill Bruford, who found the album particularly laborious to make and felt unable to contribute better ideas, which influenced his decision to join King Crimson once recording had finished.

Lateralus is the third studio album by the American rock band Tool. It was released on May 15, 2001, through Volcano Entertainment. The album was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood and The Hook, Big Empty Space, and The Lodge, in North Hollywood, between October 2000 and January 2001. David Bottrill, who had produced the band's previous release Ænima, produced the album along with the band, and it became the last Tool album produced by Bottrill to date. On August 23, 2005, Lateralus was released as a limited edition two-picture-disc vinyl LP in a holographic gatefold package.

A Trick of the Tail is the seventh studio album by the English progressive rock band Genesis. It was released on 13 February 1976 on Charisma Records and was the first album to feature drummer Phil Collins as lead vocalist following the departure of Peter Gabriel. It was a critical and commercial success in the UK and US, reaching No. 3 and No. 31 respectively.

Yessongs is the first live album by the English progressive rock band Yes, released on 4 May 1973 in the US and 18 May 1973 in the UK by Atlantic Records. The triple vinyl set compiles live performances recorded in 1972 during the band's tours for their breakthrough studio albums, Fragile (1971) and Close to the Edge (1972). The album captures a pivotal transition period for the band's lineup. Original drummer Bill Bruford appears on three tracks recorded in early 1972 before his departure to join King Crimson. The remainder of the album features his replacement, Alan White, who learned the band's complex repertoire in just three days prior to touring Close to the Edge. The album was mixed and edited by the band and producer Eddy Offord, and features elaborate packaging designed by artist Roger Dean, featuring a multi-gatefold sleeve that tells a visual narrative across four distinct, surreal landscapes.

The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other is the second album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator, released in February 1970 on Charisma Records. It was the group's first album to be released in the UK and their only one to chart in the top 50 in that country.

A Scarcity of Miracles is the sole album by Jakszyk, Fripp and Collins, released in 2011. It united singer and guitarist Jakko Jakszyk with three musicians best known from King Crimson: guitarist Robert Fripp, saxophonist Mel Collins and bassist/Chapman Stick player Tony Levin. Porcupine Tree member Gavin Harrison was featured on drums. Jakszyk and Harrison would go on to play in the next incarnation of King Crimson, along with Fripp, Levin and the returning Collins.