INDISPENSABLE REISSUES & COLLECTIONS
October 2024
Kristine England
October 31, 2024
Aphex Twin
Richard D. James, a.k.a. Aphex Twin, confessed that lucid dreams inspired the tracks on this record, and the ambient sounds therein certainly bear that out. Originally released in 1994, this expanded edition is available in five formats: 4 LPs, 2 cassettes, 3 CDs or WAV, FLAC, and MP3 versions.
FEATURED TRACK: “Curtains”
Coda
Ryuichi Sakamoto
Sakamoto’s solo piano version of his soundtrack to Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (starring David Bowie) has been released outside of Japan for the first time. Coda was initially released in 1983. Newly remastered, the album has been released in vinyl and digital formats.
FEATURED TRACK: “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence”
Stars
Set Yourself On Fire (Vinyl Reissue)
Twenty years after its initial release, Canadian group Stars’ third album has been remastered and reissued on red vinyl, visible through the die cut jacket. The package also comes with a peel-away temporary flame tattoo, a poster and new liner notes by album producer Tom McFall. The digital release includes bonus tracks as well.
FEATURED TRACK: “Your Ex-Lover Is Dead”
Songs of the Free (Vinyl Reissue)
Gang of Four
Once described by Rolling Stone as “probably the best politically motivated band in rock & roll,” Songs of the Free was the post-punk band’s third album and first with new bassist Sara Lee (known for her work with Robert Fripp’s League of Gentlemen. Originally released in 1982, this reissue has been remastered from the original tapes.
FEATURED TRACK: “Damaged Goods”
Ian Hunter
You’re Never Alone With A Schizophrenic + 1
Two of Ian Hunter’s post-Mott the Hoople recordings have been reissued. Considered by many his finest solo album, 1979’s You’re Never Alone… featured members of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, Mick Ronson, singer/actress Ellen Foley, and a guest appearance from John Cale while 1981’s Short Back n’ Sides was a collaboration with Topper Headon and Mick Jones from the Clash, Todd Rundgren and Both albums have been remastered, with the former released on 2 green vinyl LPs.
FEATURED TRACK: “When The Daylight Comes”.