Curved Air: “It Happened Today” (1971)

The debut single from prog’s newest arc angel, Sonja Kristina.

Kronomyth 1.1: Yesterday, you know it never really happened.

A happening band if ever there were, Curved Air kicked off the new year with a maxi-single featuring an edited version of It Happened Today, a new track (What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up) and Vivaldi from their first album, Air Conditioning. In other regions, “Vivaldi” was removed and “What Happens…” moved over to the B spot. “It Happened Today” is a terrific little tune that questions the concept of time, or something like that. Remembering for the moment that this was the 70s, a certain amount of spacey speculation was to be expected. The edited single version fades out at the end of the bridge, while the album version returns to the original theme for another minute of music. The previously unreleased “What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up” is mind-blowing prog that suggests what Gentle Giant or Soft Machine might have sounded like with a female singer.

And, now, a word from the fine makers of yesterday: “The (national government) will therefore regard it as its first and supreme task to restore to the (people) unity of mind and will. It will preserve and defend the foundations on which the strength of our nation rests. It will take under its firm protection Christianity as the basis of our morality, and the family as the nucleus of our nation and our state . . . . It wishes to base the education of (our) youth on respect for our great past and pride in our old traditions.” – from Adolf Hitler’s first radio address as chancellor of Germany.

Original 7-inch maxi-single version (UK)

A1. It Happened Today (Francis Monkman/Sonja Kristina Linwood) (3:45)
A2. What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up (Francis Monkman/Sonja Kristina Linwood) (3:32)
B1. Vivaldi (Darryl Way)

Original 7-inch single version
A1. It Happened Today (Francis Monkman/Sonja Kristina Linwood) (3:45)
B1. What Happens When You Blow Yourself Up (Francis Monkman/Sonja Kristina Linwood) (3:32)

The Players

Sonja Kristina Linwood (vocals), Robert Martin (bass), Florian-Pilkington Miksa (drums), Francis Monkman (guitar, piano), Darryl Way (violin). Produced by Lymark Productions.

The Plastic

Released on 7-inch single on January 14, 1971 in the UK and the Netherlands (Warner Bros., WB 8023) and Germany (Warner Bros., 16 073) and in April 1971 in Japan (Warner Bros., P-1026W) with regional picture sleeve. Also released as promotional 7-inch single in March 1971 in the US (Warner Bros., 7470).