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Islands

Islands is the fifth release in King Crimson's 40th Anniversary series. Featuring almost 90 minutes of bonus material - mostly unreleased including a full Alternate Album, rehearsal takes, live material, studio sessions & material mixed for the first time.

Featuring new stereo and 5.1 surround mixes (by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp), Sid Smith sleeve notes and copious extra tracks and alternate versions, this is a definitive edition of a frequently beautiful and sometimes unfairly overlooked part of King Crimson's always intriguing back catalogue.

Islands, the only studio album from the second performing lineup of King Crimson was always more akin to a snapshot of the band than a fully realised image.

The CD/DVD-A package assembled as the fifth in the series of 40th anniversary releases provides that much bigger picture. The CD presents a complete stereo remix by Steven Wilson & Robert Fripp alongside a group of additional tracks representing a near complete alternate album of studio takes, run-throughs and mixes.

The DVD-A presents a complete 5.1 surround sound mix by Steven Wilson, a hi-res stereo version of the 2010 mix, a hi-res stereo version of the original album mix taken from the 30th anniversary master source and almost 90 minutes of additional material, the vast majority of it previously unreleased, including many studio takes mixed from the original recording sessions specifically for this release. The material covers everything from early rehearsals of Pictures of a City (one of the final new songs performed by the 1969 lineup) to the previously unheard A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls (showcasing early ideas & elements that would appear in fully realised form on later KC albums), a fragment of Fripp playing the tune of Islands on a mellotron, a blistering live Sailor's Tale from the Zoom Club & much more, making this an essential release for King Crimson fans.

Islands occupies a unique place in the King Crimson discography. Unlike the previous albums In the Wake of Poseidon & Lizard which were studio creations, never taken on the road by a performing band, most of the Islands material was performed live. Yet the album manages to offer the continuity of the earlier albums, showcasing Fripp's growth as a composer & arranger in pieces such as the title track & Prelude: Song of the Gulls, while simultaneously providing the classic Crimson sonic assault of Sailor's Tale, a piece ideally suited to being performed live & one that would stretch & alter with each new performance.

CD:

Original album 2010 mix:

1. Formentera Lady

2. Sailor's Tale

3. The Letters

4. Ladies of the Road

5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls

6. Islands

Bonus tracks:

7. Islands (studio run through with oboe prominent)

8. Formentera Lady (original recording sessions - take 2)

9. Sailor's Tale (original recording sessions - alternate mix/edit)

10. A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls (previously unreleased)

11. The Letters (rehearsal/outtake)

12. Ladies of the Road (Robert Fripp & David Singleton remix)

8 - 11 mixed by Steven Wilson from the original session reels

DVD:

MLP Lossless 5.1 Surround / DTS 5.1 Digital Surround:

1. Formentera Lady

2. Sailor's Tale

3. The Letters

4. Ladies of the Road

5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls

6. Islands

Mixed & produced from the original multi track tapes by Steven Wilson.

Executive producer Robert Fripp.

MLP stereo / LPCM stereo - Original album 2010 stereo mix:

1. Formentera Lady

2. Sailor's Tale

3. The Letters

4. Ladies of the Road

5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls

6. Islands

Original album 1971 mix, 30th anniversary remaster:

1. Formentera Lady

2. Sailor's Tale

3. The Letters

4. Ladies of the Road

5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls

6. Islands

Islands: Alternative album:

1. Formentera Lady - Original recording sessions - take 2

2. Sailor's Tale - Original recording sessions - alternate mix/edit

3. The Letters - Rehearsal/outtake

4. Ladies of the Road - Rough mix

5. A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls - Previously unreleased

6. Islands - Studio run through with oboe prominent

1-3 & 5 mxed by Steven Wilson from the original session reels.

Routes to Islands:

1. Pictures of a City - Early rehearsal by Islands lineup

2. Sailor's Tale - Early rehearsal by Islands lineup

3. Islands (fragment) - Robert Fripp reference cassette - mellotron on vibes setting

4. Formentera Lady - Rough mix from album recording sessions

5. Sailor's Tale - Rough mix from album recording sessions

6. Drop In - Early rehearsal by Islands lineup

7. The Letters - Live at Plymouth, mastered by David Singleton

8. Sailor's Tale - Live at the Zoom Club, mastered by David Singleton

Islands: Additional tracks: Assorted Ladies:

1. Ladies of the Road - Robert Fripp & David Singleton remix

2. Ladies of the Road - Original recording sessions - take 5

3. Formentera Lady - Original recording sessions - take 1

4. Formentera Lady - Original recording sessions - take 3

5. Formentera Lady - Original recording sessions - take 4

2 - 5 mixed by Steven Wilson from the original session reels.

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