The pair knew each back in 1960s with Fripp replacing Summers in the Majestic Hotel band after Summers left to go to London and join Zoot Money. By the time Fripp and Summers renewed their acquaintance, Summers was a member of The Police, who were a world-wide success. Fripp had immense respect for Summers remarking in 1981 that Summers was "the only player I know who's taken the Sixties jazz style – Wes Montgomery and all that – and updated it into the eighties”
The pair began work at Arny’s Shack in Dorset immediately following Fripp’s solo performances at New York’s Inroads in August 1981. I Advance Masked, an album of striking instrumentals that echoed the pointillist cross-picking style in King Crimson released in 1982. The pair recorded another album, Bewitched, with contributions from guest musicians that included ex-Laugue of Gentlemen bassist Sara Lee and drummer Paul Beavis who would later play in Sunday All Over The World. The result was Bewitched released in 1984.
In 2011 Fripp related a story from music magazine editor Chip Stern involving legendary jazz drummer, Max Roach. “We (Chip and Max Roach) saw the Police and King Crimson, as well as Robert Fripp doing a Frippertronics solo recital in a grimy 100-degree loft space: "Is there anyone else doing anything like this," Max asked me, at the time, and was impressed by Robert's originality. Later I can recall visiting Max at his home in Connecticut and playing him an advance cassette of the first Fripp-Summers duo recording: "I wouldn't even have to change the way I play," he smiled.” Fripp’s online diary also contained numerous observations that UMG had not paid any royalties to the duo for over 20 years and counting.
CD/LP/Boxsets
CD/LP/Boxsets
