Curved Air

Curved Air were briefly a sensation in the world of British progressive-rock because of Sonja Kristina's sensual vocals (a veteran of the "Hair" musical play) and Darryl Way's romantic violin. This was the same combination tested in California by It's A Beautiful Day. Francis Monkman (the real genius behind their compositions) added a synthesizer. Air Conditioning (Warner, 1970) boasts Vivaldi, their most celebrated piece. Second Album (1971) delivered their only hit, Back Street Luv, and the 12-minute Piece Of Mind. Their artistic peak was reached with the baroque suite of Phantasmagoria (1972), but the band dissolved after the mediocre Air Cut (1973), with Eddie Jobson taking over violin and keyboard duties. Jobson was then hired by Roxy Music. Kristina was joined by her husband Stewart Copeland (future Police) for a new version of Curved Air that released Midnight Wire (BTM, 1975) and Airborne (BTM, 1976).