Island

The Profile

Island are a Swiss progressive rock group whose first and only album, Pictures (1977), was recorded at Dischi-Ricordi studios in Milan. The quartet featured Benjamin Jäger (vocals), Peter Scherer (keyboards, bass pedals), René Fisch (sax, flute, clarinet), and Güge Jürg Meier (drums, percussion). The album sports artwork by H.R. Giger.

Pictures (1977) blends dark art rock with Canterbury/jazz hues and nods to Van der Graaf Generator and Gentle Giant. The lineup omits guitarist and bassist, relying on keyboards and bass pedals; a Laser’s Edge CD reissue adds the 23-minute suite Empty Bottles, featuring an uncredited bassist.

One fervent review hails Island’s Pictures (1977) as a dark, original prog masterpiece with art rock and Canterbury shades, evoking VDGG and Gentle Giant. The Swiss quartet—vocals, keys/bass pedals, sax/winds, drums—recorded in Milan; the album bears H.R. Giger’s striking cover. Laser’s Edge reissued it with a 23-minute bonus suite, Empty Bottles. Rating: 5/5.