Delta Saxophone Quartet With Gwilym Simcock – Crimson!

Delta Saxophone Quartet – Crimson! (with Gwilym Simcock)

Crimson! is a bold and inventive reinterpretation of the music of King Crimson, performed by the Delta Saxophone Quartet in collaboration with acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Gwilym Simcock. The album bridges progressive rock, contemporary classical music, and jazz, reimagining complex compositions through the rich, multi-voiced texture of a saxophone ensemble.

Rather than simply covering the material, the quartet reworks the intricate structures and polyrhythmic energy of King Crimson’s catalogue into a chamber-like sound world. Pieces such as “The Night Watch,” “Dinosaur,” and “The Great Deceiver” are transformed into detailed, shifting arrangements that highlight both the melodic strength and rhythmic intensity of the originals.

Simcock’s contribution adds harmonic depth and improvisational colour, particularly on the opening piece “A Kind Of Red,” which sets the tone for the album’s experimental approach. Across the record, the ensemble navigates abrupt dynamic changes, angular phrasing, and expansive improvisational passages with precision and flair.

Crimson! stands as a striking example of genre crossover done with seriousness and creativity - a meeting point between progressive rock complexity and modern chamber jazz expression.

Tracklist:

1. A Kind Of Red
2. Vrooom / Coda: Marine 475
3. The Night Watch
4. Dinosaur
5. Two Hands
6. The Great Deceiver