King Crimson - Islands (Dolby Atmos Remixes, Surround Remixes and Elemental Mixes) King Crimson

The complete recording sessions of Islands on 1 CD/1Blu-ray edition

Blu-ray features all new mixes of the album in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 DTS-HD MA 24/96 Surround & 24/96 Hi-Res Stereo by Steven Wilson

All new Elemental Mixes of the entire album in 24/96 Hi-Res Stereo by David Singleton

Blu-ray also features the 30th anniversary remaster in 24/96

Plus the complete recording sessions from September 1971 in 24/96 and Live at Summit Studios from March 1972 in Quadraphonic Sound

Presented in a replica mini-vinyl style packaging with booklet including photos and sleevenotes from King Crimson biographer Sid Smith

CD includes the 2026 Steven Wilson stereo album mix and a selection of Elemental Mixes
King Crimson’s fourth album, 1971’s “Islands” was, for many years, somewhat underappreciated in

Crimson history; regarded simply as one of those albums between undisputed classics “In the Court of the Crimson King” and “Larks’ Tongues in Aspic”.
In more recent times, the album has been reassessed, a process that began with the 2010 new stereo and 5.1 mixes undertaken by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp and continued with the inclusions of ‘The Letters’ and ‘Sailor’s Tale’ and the title track in the 2014-2021 line-up’s live sets.

This shift in attitude towards the album from listeners old and new alike, was confirmed when the 27 disc “Sailors’ Tales” boxed set, which featured extensive live recordings by the “Islands” line-up, became one of the fastest selling of the celebrated King Crimson boxed set series – a fitting testament to King Crimson’s second, albeit short-lived, live band.

Well, rather a lot as it turns out, as a fully utilised Blu-Ray disc and accompanying CD details:
Steven Wilson has returned to the album for a transformative Dolby Atmos mix.
This work also led to new stereo and 5.1 mixes being prepared. Steven is regarded as the pre-eminent Dolby Atmos mix engineer for classic albums and his long-standing association with, and understanding of, the King Crimson catalogue, makes his work with the band especially sought by fans.

The CD presents the complete album newly mixed by Steven Wilson and a selection of David Singleton’s Elemental mixes.

Tracklisting

Disc 1 CD

2026 mixes - Produced and Mixed by Steven Wilson

1. Formentera Lady
2. Sailor’s Tale
3. The Letters
4. Ladies of the Road
5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls
6. Islands

2026 Elemental Mix - Produced and Mixed by David Singleton

7. Formentera Lady
8. Sailor’s Tale
9. Ladies of the Road
10. Islands

Disc 2 Blu-Ray

I 2026 Dolby Atmos, DTS HD-MA 5.1 Surround & 24/96 Stereo

1. Formentera Lady
2. Sailor’s Tale
3. The Letters
4. Ladies of the Road
5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls
6. Islands

II 2026 Instrumental, 24/96 Stereo

1. Formentera Lady
2. The Letters
3. Ladies of the Road
4. Islands

III 2026 Elemental Mixes, 24/96 Stereo

1. Formentera Lady
2. Sailor’s Tale
3. The Letters
4. Ladies of the Road
5. Islands
6. Prelude: Song of the Gulls

IV Complete Recording Sessions, 24/96 Stereo

Islands Studios

July 22nd, 1971 Ladies of The Road Early Uptempo Takes 1 & 2

Command Studios

Aug 2nd, 1971 Ladies of The Road Takes 1 to 5
A Peacemaking Stint Unrolls Takes 1 to 3

Aug 25th, 1971 Checking Levels
Ladies of The Road Take 1
Band Jam
Ladies of The Road Takes 2 to 4

Aug 26th, 1971 Band Jam 2
Ladies of The Road Takes One to Five
Ladies of The Road Backing and Overdubs
Ladies of The Road Vocals and Overdubs

Sept 1st, 1971 Ian Drum Check
The Letters Section One First Two Verses
The Letters Section Two Riff
The Letters Section Three Solo Takes 1 and 2
The Letters Section Four Last Two Verses
The Letters Intro Overdubs
The Letters Riff Overdubs
The Letters Vocals and Piano Last 2 Verses
The Letters Backing and Flute Last 2 Verses

Sept 8th, 1971 Formentera Lady First Two Verses Takes 1 to 5
Formentera Lady Backing and Overdubs
Formentera Lady Vocals and Overdubs

Sept 9th, 1971 Band Blow
Sailor's Tale Bass, Drums and Overdubs
Sailor's Tale Sax and Banjo Guitar Overdubs
Sailor's Tale Piano and Guitar Overdubs
Sailor's Tale Mellotron Overdubs

Oct 1st, 1971 Prelude Rehearsals and Flute Takes 1 to 3
Islands Takes 1 and 2

Oct 2nd, 1971 Prelude Takes 1 to 3

Oct 3rd, 1971 Prelude Takes 1 and 2
Islands Master Piano, Guitar and Wind Overdubs
Islands Master Keys and Mellotron Overdubs

V Original Mixes - 30th Anniversary Master (24/96 Stereo)

1. Formentera Lady
2. Sailor’s Tale
3. The Letters
4. Ladies of the Road
5. Prelude: Song of the Gulls
6. Islands

VI Live at Summit Studios, March 1972 - Quadraphonic Sound

1. Pictures of a City
2. Cadence and Cascade
3. Groon
4. 21st Century Schizoid Man
5. Improv: Summit Going On
6. My Hobby
7. The Sailor’s Tale
8. The Creator Has A Master Plan (including Summit and Something Else)