On An Island cover

The album will mark the release of David's first studio recordings since Pink Floyd's 1994 multi-platinum The Division Bell.

The press release makes a number of revelations about the album. "From the first moments of the sound collage that begins On An Island, you know it's a special experience that not only bears comparison with the best of Pink Floyd, but also confirms their lead guitarist and singer as an outstanding solo artist.

"Here he reveals a personal vision and a breadth of styles -- folk, jazz, orchestral and rock -- brought together as a unified piece through his lyrical guitar playing and instantly recognizable voice.

"With orchestrations by the renowned Polish composer Zbigniew Preisner and a luminous production (assisted by Roxy Music's Phil Manzanera), virtuosity abounds. On An Island Guest artists include David Crosby and Graham Nash singing harmonies, Robert Wyatt playing the cornet, Caroline Dale on cello, Alasdair Molloy on glass harmonica and Pink Floyd's Richard Wright guesting on Hammond organ.

"Gilmour shares writing credits with writer Polly Samson, continuing a collaborative partnership that began with The Division Bell. The album's songs tell of shared experiences that evoke a breadth of moods, from the hauntingly beautiful title track 'On An Island' (with a guitar performance set to enter the Gilmour canon of classics) to the meditative 'The Blue' and 'A Pocketful of Stones,' as well as the heavier rock and blues numbers 'Take A Breath' and 'This Heaven.' In the spirit of intimacy, this album sees Gilmour's debut on the saxophone, as well as contributions by contemporaries from his pre-Floyd days.

"On An Island is a collection of songs and instrumentals that had its genus in the critically acclaimed 2002 London Festival Hall concerts. Gilmour has stepped out of his super-group to discover he's still at his peak -- and he's rightly pleased. "It's my best and most personal work," he says. "Making it with my musician friends has been a positive experience on so many levels." And touring it this spring can only take him to a new high."

The ten tracks on On An Island, which has been produced by David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera and Chris Thomas, are:

• Castellorizon
• On An Island
• The Blue
• Take a Breath
• Red Sky at Night
• This Heaven
• Then I Close My Eyes
• Smile
• A Pocketful of Stones
• Where We Start

Album credits

Castellorizon
(Gilmour)
David - guitar

On An Island
(Gilmour/GilmourSamson)
David - vocals, guitars, electric piano, percussion
David Crosby - vocals
Graham Nash - vocals
Richard Wright - Hammond organ
Rado Klose - guitar
Guy Pratt - bass
Andy Newmark - drums

The Blue
(Gilmour/Samson)
David - vocals, guitars, bass, percussion, piano
Richard Wright - vocals
Andy Newmark - drums
Jools Holland - piano
Chris Stainton - Hammond organ
Rado Klose - guitar
Polly Samson - piano

Take A Breath
(Gilmour/Samson)
David - vocals, guitars
Guy Pratt - bass
Ged Lynch - drums
Phil Manzanera - keyboard
Leszek Mozdzer - piano
Caroline Dale - cello

Red Sky At Night
(Gilmour)
David - guitars, saxophone
Caroline Dale - cello
Chris Laurence - double bass
Ilan Eshkeri - programming

This Heaven
(Gilmour/GilmourSamson)
David - guitars, vocals, bass
Georgie Fame - Hammond organ
Phil Manzanera - keyboards
Andy Newmark - drums
Drum samples courtesy of Adam Topol and Jack Johnson

Then I Close My Eyes
(Gilmour)
David - guitars, bass harmonica, cumbus
B J Cole - Weissenborn guitar
Phil Manzanera - piano
Robert Wyatt - cornet, voice, percussion
Andy Newmark - percussion
Caroline Dale - cello
Alasdair Malloy - glass harmonica

Smile
(Gilmour/Samson)
David - guitars, vocals, percussion, Hammond organ, bass
Willie Wilson - drums
Polly Samson - vocals

A Pocketful Of Stones
(Gilmour/Samson)
David - guitars, vocals, Hammond organ, piano, bass, percussion
Leszek Mozdzer - piano
Lucy Wakeford - harp
Alasdair Malloy - glass harmonica
Chris Laurence - double bass
Chris Thomas - keyboard
Ilan Eshkeri - programming

Where We Start
(Gilmour)
David - guitars, vocals, bass, percussion, Hammond organ
Andy Newmark - drums

Orchestral arrangements:
Conducted by Robert Ziegler
Orchestra recorded at Abbey Road Studios by Simon Rhodes
Orchestral Leader David Juritz
Strings contracted by Hilary Skewes, Buick Production Ltd

Produced by David Gilmour, Phil Manzanera and Chris Thomas

Recorded by Andy Jackson and David Gilmour
Assisted by Damon Iddins, Devin Workman and Jamie Johnson. Technical support by Phil Taylor

Recorded at Astoria, Abbey Road, British Grove, Gallery Studio and at home