Name: Islands
Brand: King Crimson

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

kclp4

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2014-09-15

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Little Amber Fish

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

633367910417

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

King Crimson

Genre GB

Prog Rock

Label GB

King Crimson is one of the pioneers of the progressive rock genre. Formed in 1969, their first line-up included guitarist Robert Fripp, lyricist and lighting man Peter Sinfield, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ian McDonald, bassist and vocalist Greg Lake, and drummer Michael Giles. They released the seminal album "In the Court of the Crimson King" in 1969 before undergoing several personnel changes. The band evolved over the years, experimenting with fusion and improvisation in their live performances. In 1981, they changed their name to King Crimson and released three studio albums with a new line-up. After a hiatus, they reformed again in 1994 as a double trio and continued to release music through various spin-off groups. Their extensive back catalogue makes them one of the most influential rock bands ever.

In 2000, King Crimson underwent another transformation with a new line-up that excluded Bill Bruford and Tony Levin. They released "The ConstruKction of Light" in 2000 before Tony Levin rejoined the group. In 2008, they embarked on a 40th Anniversary Tour with Gavin Harrison joining as a new member. Despite Robert Fripp's retirement announcement in 2012, King Crimson returned in 2014 with yet another line-up for touring purposes.

The current incarnation of King Crimson features Robert Fripp (guitar), Mel Collins (saxophones, flute), Tony Levin

High quality 200 gram vinyl reissue of 'Islands'. The album's return to the 12" vinyl format is newly cut from masters approved by Robert Fripp. Manufactured on 200 gram super-heavyweight vinyl and housed in a reprint of the original sleeve, with lyrics insert. This edition also contains bonus MP3 codes giving access to a download of a transfer of an original 1971 pressing - in this case taken from Robert Fripp's personal file copy of the album. 'Islands' was King Crimson's fourth studio album. First released in 1971, it was recorded at London's Command Studios in between numerous live gigs by the then newly-formed incarnation of the group. Augmented by string and woodwind players, as well as a female vocalist (the only occasion in the band's 45 year history), 'Islands' builds upon material that possesses the familiar Crimson DNA as well as a new, distinctive identity all its own. Though pastoral in mood across much the album, 'Ladies Of The Road' presents an atypical blues-orientated track, while 'The Sailor's Tale' contains one of Robert Fripp's most celebrated guitar solos. Shredding the rulebook, as it goes, it sounds utterly unlike anything previously heard on a Crimson album. Fripp himself observes "The solo was, and is, from some other world" Ultimately the guitar solo and its clattering coda is the leap from the symphonic and jazz stylings of the earlier albums into a spikier metallic soundworld that wouldn't be fully realised until the next studio album, Larks' Tongues In Aspic. 

Islands

Music GB

Buy King Crimson - Islands (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.