the title. The original United States and Canadian album cover (as released by Atlantic) was a Peter Sinfield painting of off-white with coloured "islands". This was used as an internal gatefold sleeve in the UK. When the King Crimson catalogue was re-issued by EG, they standardised on the "Trifid Nebula" cover worldwide. Release Released on 3 December 1971, Islands reached number 30 in the UK Albums Chart. The album was re-released in 2010 as the fifth release in King Crimson's 40th Anniversary series, featuring new stereo and 5.1 surround mixes by Steven Wilson and Robert Fripp, Sid Smith sleeve notes and extra tracks and alternative versions. The DVD-A presents a 5.1 surround sound mix by 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 previously unreleased material, including studio takes mixed from the original recording sessions. Reception Retrospective reviews have been mixed, with critics generally praising the band's performances while finding the compositions and album structure aimless. AllMusic called it "the weakest Crimson studio album from their first era" that "is only a real disappointment in relation to the extraordinarily high quality of the group's earlier efforts." Conversely, All About Jazz described the album as a "well-conceived, tremendously executed and perfectly sequenced collection", and complimented Fripp's utilization of "a more sophisticated jazz vernacular" in a rock context. Track listing All songs written by Robert Fripp and Peter Sinfield, except where noted. Personnel King Crimson Robert Fripp – guitar, mellotron, harmonium (6), production Peter Sinfield – lyrics, cover design and painting, production Mel Collins – saxophones, flute, bass flute (6), backing vocals, production Ian Wallace – drums, percussion, backing vocals, production Boz – bass, lead vocals, production Additional personnel Paulina Lucas – soprano vocals (1) Keith Tippett – piano Robin Miller – oboe Mark Charig – cornet Harry Miller – double bass (1, 6) Wilf Gibson - violin (1), string orchestra leader (5, 6) (uncredited) Uncredited musicians – strings (2, 5, 6) Andy Hendrikson – recording, engineering Tony Arnold – mastering Vick & Mike – equipment Robert Ellis – photography 2009 40th Anniversary Series re-issue personnel Steven Wilson – mixing, production, compilation and coordination input and suggestions Simon Heyworth (Super Audio Mastering) – stereo file preparation, 5.1 mastering Claire Bidwell (Opus Productions) – DVD design and layout Neil Wilkes (Opus Productions) – DVD authoring