'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.