Islands
by King Crimson
- Type: Album
- Released: 3 December 1971
- Label: Island, Atlantic
- Country: United Kingdom
- Length: 1:00:34
- Community rating: 4.22/5 from 20 ratings
Artists on this release: Mel Collins, Robert Fripp, Boz Burrell, Peter Sinfield, Ian Wallace
Album Notes & Community Reviews
'Islands' expands on the improvisational, jazz-inflected rock of King Crimson's prior work, juxtaposing pastoral and pseudo-classical arrangements with sleazy, blues-based rock and searing instrumentals. The album's compositions feature a wide sonic palette, incorporating strings, piano, and extensive woodwind and brass textures from Mel Collins and guests alongside Robert Fripp's guitar. As the only studio album from the 1971-72 lineup and the last with lyricist Peter Sinfield, it marks a significant, if often divisive, transition in the band's history.
Genres
Descriptors: progressive, experimental, orchestral, complex, atmospheric
Tracklist
- Formentera Lady (10:17)
- Sailor's Tale (07:29)
- The Letters (04:28)
- Ladies of the Road (05:34)
- Prelude - Song Of The Gulls (04:15)
- Islands (11:56)
- Studio Sessions (10:52)
- Ladies of the Road (Robert Fripp/David Singleton Remix) (05:43)
Credits
- Robert Fripp - electric guitar, acoustic guitar, mellotron, hohner pianet, pedal harmonium, devices, production
- Mel Collins - saxophones, flute, bass flute, backing vocals, production
- Boz Burrell - bass guitar, lead vocals, production
- Ian Wallace - drums, percussion, backing and co-lead vocals, production
- Peter Sinfield - lyrics, vcs3, cover design and painting, production
- Harry Miller - double bass
- Keith Tippett - piano
- Paulina Lucas - soprano vocals
- Robin Miller - oboe
- Mark Charig - cornet
- Wilf Gibson - violin, string orchestra leader (uncredited)
- Andy Hendrikson - recording engineer
- Vick & Mike - equipment
- Robert Ellis - band photography
- The Institute of Technology and Carnegie Institution of Washington - cover photographs
- Steven Wilson - mixing, production, compilation and coordination input and suggestions
- Simon Heyworth - stereo file preparation, 5.1 mastering
- Claire Bidwell - dvd design and layout
- Neil Wilkes - dvd authoring and assembly