Electric Lounge Austin United States
P3 was the final throw of the FraKctal dice, a gamble as to how the slumbering Crim beast might be pulled into exciting and different sonic spaces. What had begun in London back in December 1997 with ProjeKct was finally coming to an end at the SXSW festival in Texas.

It’s interesting to note how much space is left here in the opening section of the concert. After the opening soundscape and the eerie high-register scrapes and sub-woofer rumbles of Hindu Fizz, Robert plays something of a waiting game, letting Gunn and Mastelotto carry the water for a while.

Utilising some of the themes and areas which other ProjeKcts had previously tested, there’s a looser, almost relaxed presence within this one set. Following a fleeting Sus-taynZ, a track they’ve titled Footnote kicks in. This improvisation goes into some beautiful, ornate harmonies, mellotron-like sustained chords and is reason enough to press the download button. Elsewhere Siezure wobbles ominously but never wholly takes off in the same way when Gunn can bounce the pulse against Levin the way they did in P4.

Although not always as focused as later P3 shows in the same week, there’s nevertheless enough energy and enthusiasm from the players (especially Gunn) as they limber up for their World Tour of Texas. The gig was also notable as Adrian Belew was present in the audience cheering loudly and wondering what he might do as he felt the trio sounded busy enough. Another notable character was present that night in the shape of Finish accordionist called Kimmo Pohjonen who was also playing that night. This encounter which would ultimately lead to the formation of KTU.
TRACK
TIME
01
Introductory Soundscape
03:45
02
Hindu Fizz
09:47
03
Sus tayn Z
02:21
04
Foot Note
08:48
05
X chayn jiZ
04:35
06
Seizure
06:13
07
Super Slow Deception Of The Thrush
07:39
08
ProjeKction
05:54
09
Heavy ConstruKction
05:08
Written by Andrew Thomas
Opening Night P3
Deep in the heart o' Texas, P3 enters sound. Of the night's memorable excursions, Foot Note seems to be toying around with some very Heaven & Earth-related ideas, both atmosphere and rhythm, somewhat akin to brushing the surrounding dirt away from a precious artifact. Also of distinction is a nice, fat ProjeKction aka what would become Into The Frying Pan. I'm conflicted because I like that song but I also think that these early versions of it were even spicier and nastier than the eventual p...
Written by William Jenks
P3 Electric Lounge, Austin
As the description notes, I think there is some variation in energy throughout this show. Nonetheless, it's quite good and worth the download for anyone interested in this period. A few notes: the opening to the introductory soundscape is quite abrupt. Did we miss the first minute or two of this? Hindu Fizz starts out with a soundscape feel, but moves into a tuneful direction a few minutes in, and has a great guitar run in the 7th minutes. Sis-taynZ and Footnote may be my favorite two trac...
Written by Neil Talbott
Stunning
Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous, by my favourite combination of all the ProjeKcts (but only a few whiskers ahead of P4). When can we expect the March 22 gig on DGM Live!? I drool buckets in anticipation...
Written by Martha Zizold
Stunning!
The best of the P3 shows so far just slightly ahead of the Dallas gig to my ears. Pat’s precise and clever drumming mixed with programmed loops. Trey’s top notch touch guitar play coupled with Mr Fripp’s soaring almost moaning like guitar notes make this a pleasant surprise indeed (considering Sid’s review). This is an eerie, powerful, pounding performance similar to ProjeKct Four’s first outing in Boulder. Highlights here include the intro into, and Hindu Fizz, (love this version). ...
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