INDISPENSABLE REISSUES & COLLECTIONS
April 2024
Kristine England
April 30, 2024
Herbie Hancock
Speak Like a Child
After a three-year gap from recording, the piano great released another masterpiece. For his sixth album he added new instruments and players to his team, with contributions from Thad Jones on flugelhorn, Peter Phillips on bass trombone, and Jerry Dodgion on alto flute to round out his sound (also with his steadfast trio rhythm section of Ron Carter on bass and Mickey Roker on drums). As ever, the vinyl is 180 gram, mastered from the original analog tapes.
FEATURED TRACK: “The Sorcerer”
Nocturne
Siouxsie and the Banshees
With material culled from Juju and A Kiss in the Dreamhouse, Siouxie Sioux and co. performed two nights at the Royal Albert Hall, captured on this double LP, pressed on 140 gram vinyl. Robert Smith of the Cure was part of the group’s touring band in 1983 after the departure of John McGeoch. The record also features some B-sides and two live Beatles covers: “Helter Skelter” and “Dear Prudence.”
FEATURED TRACK: “Spellbound”
Fleetwood Mac
Rumours
What can anyone say about Rumours that hasn’t already been said countless times. The classic breakup album that sold more copies than is remotely fathomable (21x platinum in the US), with songs that almost everybody knows. A Record Store Day exclusive, this reissue features a die-cut cardboard sleeve, with plastic inner sleeve and picture disc.
FEATURED TRACK: “The Chain” (live in Japan, 1977)
Up in Smoke
Cheech and Chong
The stoner classic Up in Smoke soundtrack has been reissued for Record Store Day. Appropriately released on smoky green vinyl, the haplessly high messrs Marin and Chong were joined by seasoned session players Danny Kortchmar and Waddy Wachtel, who aided in writing duties as well.
FEATURED TRACK: “Earache My Eye (Alice Bowie)”
Sonny Rollins
A new vinyl reissue of Sonny Rollins’ storied 1956 Village Vanguard performances has been cut directly from unused master tapes recently found in the vault. This release of Rollins’ 1957 live trio album contains a 3-LP set with a booklet featuring previously unseen photos by Francis Wolff, essays and an interview with Rollins in conversation with current Blue Note President, Don Was.
FEATURED TRACK: “Woody 'N You”