INDISPENSABLE REISSUES & COLLECTIONS
January 2025
by Kristine England
January 31, 2025
The Verve
This is Music: The Singles
Spanning most of the 90s, the Verve released a slew of singles that showcased the band’s development from a psychedelic, shoegaze-esque group to full-fledged mainstream stardom. There issueis the first the collection has been released on vinyl for the first time, with a 2LP black version as well as red and blue colored vinyl.
FEATURED TRACK: “This Is Music”
Katy Lied (vinyl reissue)
Steely Dan
For the first time in 40 years, Steely Dan’s 1975 album, Katy Lied, will be available on vinyl. The record was released after the departures of guitarist Jeff “Skunk” Baxter and drummer Jim Hodder, the core duo of Walter Becker and Donald Fagan decided to focus on studio work and suspend touring. Pitchfork opined on the album’s stature,“It captures Steely Dan in the thick of it all...” Several versions of the reissue will be available, remastered from the original analog tapes, including a limited edition premium 45 RPM version, Super Audio CD, and 180-gram vinyl version at Sterling Sound from high-resolution digital with reproductions of the original artwork.
FEATURED TRACK: “Doctor Wu”
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Like Someone in Love
Blue Note Records continues to mine its archives to release titles for its Classic Vinyl Edition series. Like Someone in Love boasted one of the most celebrated line-ups of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. Originally released in 1960, the five tracks feature Lee Morgan on trumpet, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merritt on bass. The Vinyl Edition is stereo, all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.
FEATURED TRACK: “Like Someone in Love”
Retrospective
Bryan Ferry
Last year, a deluxe 5 CD collection of Bryan Ferry’s recordings spanning 4 years of recordings has been released as an immersive Dolby Atmos collection on blu-ray audio. The 20-track retrospective features songs of bonus material from the 16 “Rare and Unreleased” entries from the fifth disc of the full collection. The tracks were remixed for Atmos by Roxy Music engineer Bob Clearmountain.
FEATURED TRACK: “Kiss and Tell"
World Party
Best in Show
Essentially a solo project for founder Karl Wallinger, World Party began in 1986 when the songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist left the Waterboys. Wallinger began developing Private Revolution, playing most of the instruments himself, singing and handling production duties as well. The single “Ship of Fools” did well globally. Four more studio albums followed. Best in Show was originally released in 2007. Now remastered and available as an LP everywhere as a a 2LP set on red and yellow vinyl.
FEATURED TRACK: "Ship of Fools"