COMING UP FOR AIR

I found a copy of Air Conditioning by Curved Air at a car boot sale and bought it because it was a picture disc and looked interesting. I must admit I knew nothing about the band but it actually sounds really good. I paid £2 but a mate says that it could be worth £100. True?

Curved Air were the first UK band to be signed to Warners and were big in the early 70s. Their distinctive blend of rock, folk, classical and jazz influences made them prog favorites and they also had Top Five pop success with the single Back Street Luv.

A lot of their appeal was down to their singer, Sonja Kristina (left), a charismatic lady with a colourful career which included working as a Playboy Club croupier, a spell in the musical Hair, and being married to Stewart Copeland of The Police. In more recent years she has worked with Acid Folk and Mask. Air Conditioning was Curved Air’s debut album and one of the first rock picture discs. The first pressing was in a limited edition of 10,000 and mint copies today can fetch over £100, although £50 is more common. Later versions go for about £15. – Ed croupier, a spell in the musical being married to Stewart Copeland of The Police. In more recent years she has worked with Acid Folk and Mask. first pressing was in a limited edition of 10,000 and mint copies today can fetch over £100, although £50 is more common.

by David Keating
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