CVRRENT 93 – Island | Fvll albvm (1991)

Island was recorded between 1986 and 1991 and pairs Current 93 and Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson (HÖH) with various guest musicians/vocalists, the majority of whom are Iceland natives.

David Tibet has stamina. Current 93 produce song cycles and connected suites. They release spoken word albums with simple musical backings. They broadcast nebulous soundscapes. David Tibet has made an interesting journey from a deep-seated interest in diffuse paganism to an exploration of a form of unorthodox or non-conformist Christianity. ‘Island’ is the album that represents this transition. It also stands as a fitting example of the strengths and weaknesses that typify Tibet’s work.

‘Island’ is jointly credited to Current 93 and HOH. It is safe to assume that the relationship between David Tibet and HOH first developed during their involvement with Thee Temple Ov Psychick Youth and the early manifestations of Psychic TV in the early 1980s. The majority of the musicians that play on ‘Island’ are from Iceland (a young Bjork Gudmundsdottir provides backing vocals on ‘Falling’). Joolie Wood, a regular contributor to Current 93 performances to this day, contributes violin to several tracks and old friend Rose McDowall provides backing vocals on three songs. Tibet’s former guru / teacher The Venerable ‘Chimed Rig’dzin Lama, Rinpoche makes appearances on bells and drums. Tibet’s sleeve notes pay ‘Homage to the Lama’. Other members of the group hide their identity behind pseudonyms.

‘Island’ was recorded in Iceland between 1986 and 1991. This extended recording period is an indication that the album released on CD (Durtro 006 CD) is not one work but several. This seems obvious when listening to the CD, which can be divided into two or three sections… [+]