King Crimson
Islands
© E'G
April 26 - May 2, 2026
Year of Release: 1971
Rating:
Forementera Lady
Sailor's Tale
The Letters
Ladies Of The Road
Prelude: Song Of The Gulls
Islands
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King Crimson returns this week, with their fifth album on the WSVNRadio website, Islands, from 1971 (their
fourth career studio album). King Crimson is the masterchild of Robert Fripp. Another well-known name that was a member
of King Crimson was Greg Lake, who would later join Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Throughout King Crimson's 30+ years together,
Fripp has been the main force in the band's career. Islands was the band's fourth album, and the current lineup
at that time was Robert Fripp, Peter Sinfield, Mel Collins, Boz Burrell and Ian Wallace. The album's six songs were
written by Peter Sinfeld (lyrics), and Robert Fripp (music). Islands incorporates elements of jazz improvisation.
King Crimson is known as a Progressive Rock band. Jazz improvisation would be an interesting change, as Islands
was represented as.
"Formentera Lady" is the first track, as it sounds more Progressive than Jazz. It leads into the next track,
"sailor's Tale" - another Progressive Rock sounding track. There are the sounds of horns in this song, and it
does resemble a Jazz style. It does sound like "jazz improvisation," just a bit darker than the normal Jazz sounds.
This 12 minute plus track has a second part - where it sounds Progressive, yet also a different side of Jazz. It even
sounds Psychedelic also. There's a third part - more on a blues style. It then kicks into a Progressive/Jazz sound.
"The Letters" is a peaceful, laid back track, yet it kicks into a Progressive Rock/Theatrical sound, returning back
to it's peaceful, laid back style, with Jazz horn overtones.
"Ladies Of The Road" is quite mysterious, psychedelic, and has a blues touch. "Prelude: Song Of The
Gulls" is more Classical, and another impressive instrumental track. "Islands" is laid back, with Classical
touches and Jazz horns.
King Crimson's Islands is quite different than the ordinary Progressive Rock albums. Yes, it is Progressive,
and has the jazz improvisations touches. Psychedelic, blues also incorporated. The horns are what makes the "jazz
imprvisations." The Classical Prelude: Song Of The Gulls is a highlight track. A nice, quite album for the most
part, Islands is a good album to relax by. There are some similarities to the music of Emerson, Lake & Palmer,
another great Progressive Rock group. Overall, it is more Progressive than Jazz. King Crimson was different on this one.
And it all blends well as they still endure their popularity, as a Progressive Rock band.
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