Features / Release Round-Up

It’s a Monday release date here in the U.S., so here’s your early Release Round-Up!

Bee Gees, 1974-1979 (Reprise/Rhino) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This box set brings together the band’s Mr. Natural, Main Course, Children of the World and Spirits Having Flown plus a disc of previously issued bonus material.  Full track listing and details here.  Watch on Record Store Day for a companion vinyl release to this set featuring the 12-inch mixes from Saturday Night Fever!

Kansas, Miracles Out of Nowhere (CD/DVD Set) (Epic/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The new documentary film Miracles Out of Nowhere chronicles the band Kansas’ journey from obscurity to superstardom. It features the original Kansas lineup, revisiting Topeka together for the first time in more than 30 years.  The film also features interviews with Garth Brooks, Brian May of Queen, producer Brendan O Brien, Rolling Stone journalist David Wild, and more.  Legacy’s CD/DVD package includes a soundtrack with greatest hits, album cuts and dialogue from the film serving as a special running audio commentary.

Various Artists, Original Album Series (Legacy)

Dean Martin: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Tony Bennett: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
John Denver: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Janis Joplin: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Kansas: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Paul Simon: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Legacy has another round of budget-priced boxes, each with five albums per artist in mini-sleeves.  The Dean Martin title is of particular interest as the catalogue was reportedly remastered by Vic Anesini upon Legacy’s acquisition; this set would mark the physical debut of Anesini’s remasters of Dream with Dean (1964), Everybody Loves Somebody (1964), The Door is Still Open to My Heart (1964), Houston (1965) and The Dean Martin TV Show (1966).  Note that the Paul Simon title contains the most recent editions of Paul Simon, There Goes Rhymin’ Simon, Hearts and Bones, Songs from the Capeman and You’re the One with bonus tracks.

Jimi Hendrix, You Can’t Use My Name: Curtis Knight and the Squires (Featuring Jimi Hendrix) – The RSVP/PPX Sessions (Experience Hendrix/Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Legacy and Experience Hendrix present the first-ever authorized release of Jimi Hendrix’s pre-fame recordings with Curtis Knight and the Squires!  This 14-track anthology – promised as the first in a series – is available on CD and 150-gram vinyl.  Full details here.

Roger Taylor, Fun in Space and Strange Frontier (Omnivore)

Fun in Space: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Strange Frontier: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Omnivore has remastered and expanded editions of the first two solo albums by the Queen drummer and multi-instrumentalist.  Read our full story here.

Various Artists, A MusiCares Tribute to Paul McCartney (Shout! Factory) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. )

2012’s MusiCares gala tribute to Macca comes to DVD and BD, with performances including Neil Young and Crazy Horse’s “I Saw Her Standing There,” James Taylor and Diana Krall’s “Yesterday” and “For No One,” Sergio Mendes’ “The Fool on the Hill,” Coldplay’s “We Can Work It Out,” Alicia Keys’ “Blackbird” and more!

Phyllis Hyman, Phyllis Hyman: Expanded Edition and You Know How to Love Me: Expanded Edition (Funky Town Grooves)

Phyllis Hyman: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
You Know How to Love Me: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

Two vintage albums from the late soul chanteuse Phyllis Hyman receive expanded editions from FTG.  Full information here.

James Brown, I’m Real: Deluxe Edition (Funky Town Grooves) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

The Godfather of Soul’s 1988 Scotti Bros. album has been expanded from 11 tracks on one CD to 21 tracks on two CDs thanks to the addition of various single versions and remixes.  Full information here.

Hawkwind, This is Your Captain Speaking…Your Captain is Dead (Parlophone U.K.) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

This 11-CD box from the prog-rock masters contains Hawkwind’s United Artists Records catalogue in replica sleeves plus a bonus CD of single edits and mixes.

Jefferson Airplane, Bark: Expanded Edition (Iconoclassic) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Iconoclassic revisits the Airplane’s sixth studio album, with Grace Slick, Jack Casady, Jorma Kaukonen, Paul Kantner, Joey Covington and Papa John Creach.  The label adds two bonus tracks – the mono single version of “Pretty as You Feel” and the unedited “Feel So Good.” The foldout booklet retains the original album artwork but lacks any new liner notes.  Vic Anesini has remastered.

Various Artists, The Bottom Line Archive series (Bottom Line Record Company)

Kenny Rankin: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
The Brecker Brothers: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.
Willie Nile: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.

From the vaults of the late New York club comes three archival releases from Kenny Rankin (Plays the Beatles and More, recorded 1990), The Brecker Brothers (recorded 1976) and Willie Nile (recorded 1980 and 2000).

Van Morrison, Duets: Re-Working the Catalogue (RCA) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

For his first album of duets, Van Morrison isn’t re-recording his greatest hits, but rather a selection of largely unheralded tracks from his discography.  Guests include Michael Bublé , Natalie Cole, George Benson, Steve Winwood, Mark Knopfler, P.J. Proby, Georgie Fame, Mick Hucknall, Mavis Staples and the late Bobby Womack.

Toto, Toto XIV (Frontiers) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K.)

Toto’s new studio album is available in both a standard edition and a deluxe CD/DVD package with a bonus “making of” featurette.  The band’s current line-up includes original members Steve Lukather, David Paich and Steve Porcaro and the returning original bass player, David Hungate. Joseph Williams is on lead vocals while Keith Carlock handles drums.  Note that Amazon currently has the deluxe edition at a less expensive price than the standard version!  A Super Deluxe Edition adds the album on vinyl plus various swag.