Curved Air were briefly a sensation in the world of British progressive-rock because of Sonja Kristina's sensual vocals and Darryl Way's romantic violin. Kristina was a veteran of the London musical Hair in the late 60s.
This was the same combination tested in California by It's a Beautiful Day. Francis Monkman (the real genius behind their compositions) added a synthesiser. Air Conditioning (1970) contains "Vivaldi", their most celebrated piece. Second Album (1971) delivered their only hit, "Back Street Luv", and the twelve-minute "Piece of Mind". Their artistic peak was reached with Phantasmagoria (1972), but the band dissolved after Air Cut (1973), with Eddie Jobson taking over violin and keyboard duties. Kristina was joined by her husband Stewart Copeland (future The Police) for a new version of Curved Air that released Midnight Wire 1975) and Airborne (1976).