King Crimson: Islands (CD+DVD AUDIO)

At first glance - with a similarly expanded line-up, tracks like the opening 'Formentera Lady', 'Prelude' and the title track 'Islands', as well as the first appearance of strings - King Crimson's fourth studio album of 1971 seemed to build on the character of 'Lizard', the previous album from 1970. But the presence of a new rhythm section (Boz Burrell & Ian Wallace) and the fact that the core line-up was once again performing as a live band helped to make 'Islands' sound, at least in part, more like the product of a rock band in concert than a pure studio group recording. Sailor's Tale" with its brilliant electric guitar solo, "Ladies of the Road" - an ode to groupies, "The Letters" and even "Formentera Lady" all found their way into the group's live set. In April 1971, the band played a quartet of concerts in Germany, followed by an extensive tour of the UK in May and August through October, with a tour of Canada and the US in November and December. A further US tour in February and March 1972 in support of the US album release, which the band felt compelled to do by management, proved fatal to the line-up. Co-founder Peter Sinfield had already left the band, and the remaining members teamed up with bluesman Alexis Korner, so Fripp returned to the UK to plan the next incarnation of King Crimson. For Wallace and Burrell, the change was a stroke of luck - Burrell became a founding member of Bad Company, Wallace spent many years with Bob Dylan and Don Henley, while Mel Collins continued to be in demand as a recording and live musician. The line-up that recorded "Islands" was the only incarnation of King Crimson to be influenced by the traditional blues origins of rock - which is particularly evident in the concert recordings of their live jams. The only studio album they left behind is nevertheless a good example of the many different influences that shaped King Crimson in 1971. The album also marks Peter Sinfield's last appearance as a member. In future line-ups, Robert Fripp would be the only surviving founding member of King Crimson. "Islands" stands quite unique in the exuberant King Crimson discography. Unlike the the two previous albums, "Lizard" and "In The Wake Of Poseidon", which were pure studio productions, the material for the material for "Islands" was largely created on tour. This change in working methods breaks many bridges to the past and creates space for new ideas. for fans, "Islands" is still the transitional work par excellence between the early playful King Crimson and the more and the more direct King Crimson of the years 72 and 74 Peter Sinfield and keyboardist Keith Tippett left the band. It goes without saying that such an album "between the stools" triggers very different reactions. Some love it because of its sailor melancholy, the great Fripp compositions "Islands" and "Song of the Gulls" "Song of the Gulls", or the band's masterpiece "Sailors Tale", which is ideally suited for Performances. Others are simply left cold by the album. What is certain is that the original 1971 production is only a snapshot of the band as it was then At that time. The whole picture only becomes visible now, in the 40th Anniversary Edition, created by Robert Fripp and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree). After "In the Court of the Crimson King", "Lizard" and "Red" in 2009, the duo Infernale has now tackled "In the Wake of Poseidon" and "Islands" and "Islands". The structure of the lavish CD/DVD-A edition runs parallel to the previous King Crimson Anniversary releases: The album can be heard in the original mix as well as in a completely new mix created for this edition mix created for this edition. Fripp and Wilson used the original multi-track tapes for this. These versions of the album can also be enjoyed in 5.1 surround, and owners of a DVD-Audio dVD-Audio players also have access to the so-called Lossless Stereo and Lossless Surround format Surround format. Once again, it will be interesting to see how the producer duo can bring the Crimson Sound from '71 into the '10s of the 21st century. Equally exciting: "Islands" contains alternative takes of the album tracks in the new version. So here you can hear how it could have and can empathize with the creative process of this exceptional band. The last doubts as to whether "Islands" deserves a new chance after 40 years are finally dispelled by finally, "A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls" puts them to one side. Collectors take note: the track is still unreleased. lslands - is the fifth release in the King Crimson 40th anniversary series. The classic album has been mixed for 5.1 Surround Sound from the original masters by Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree). CD features a completely new stereo album mix by Robert Fripp & Steven Wilson. CD also features extra tracks, previously unreleased, including DVD-A features a 5.1 DTS Mix and High Resolution Stereo mixes (28bit / 48khz).