Islands (Kajagoogoo Album)

Islands (Kajagoogoo Album)

Islands is the second album by the British pop band Kajagoogoo, released in May 1984 on the EMI label. It was recorded without singer Limahl, who had been fired by the band in mid-1983 and went on to pursue a solo career. Bass player Nick Beggs, already the group's main backing singer, took over lead vocal duties, and also wrote the lyrics. The album was co-produced by the band themselves, now a four-piece group, along with Colin Thurston, who had also produced their debut, White Feathers.

The album did not sell as well as its predecessor, and peaked at no.35 in the UK Albums Chart. The album first single, "Big Apple", reached no.8 in the UK, but subsequent singles "The Lion's Mouth" (no.25), and "Turn Your Back on Me" (no.47) were less successful.

In the U.S., where the album was titled Extra Play and the band was renamed as Kaja, it peaked at no.185 on the Billboard 200. On the U.S. edition, the version of "Turn Your Back on Me" was different from the original UK version, having been remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero. This remix was released as a single in the U.S., and reached Number 2 on the dance charts.

The original UK album was remastered and reissued, with seven bonus tracks, in 2004.