Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up!

Cat Stevens, Mona Bone Jakon: 50th Anniversary Edition (A&M/UMe)

4-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Cat Stevens, a.k.a. Yusuf, revisits 1970's Mona Bone Jakon with a new, 50th anniversary edition available in a host of formats.  The 4-CD/Blu-ray/LP 50th anniversary box set edition features a new remaster of the original mix (overseen by Paul Samwell-Smith) on CD 1, a 2020 remix by David Hefti on CD 2, and on LP, unreleased demos on CD 3 (including the new single "I Want Some Sun"), and 18 live performances on CD 4.  There's also a 6-song live set on an etched LP and a Blu-ray disc featuring high-resolution audio of the 2020 mix, plus the original promotional video for "Lady D'Arbanville" and numerous television appearances.

Cat Stevens, Tea for the Tillerman: 50th Anniversary Edition (A&M/UMe)

5-CD/Blu-ray/LP/12″ Box: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2-CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada

Cat Stevens also looks back at his 1970 multi-platinum classic Tea for the Tillerman in a variety of 50th anniversary formats.   The album cemented the artist's reputation and included some of his best-known hits, including "Wild World," "Father and Son," "Where Do the Children Play," and "On the Road To Find Out."  The deluxe 50th anniversary box packs in 5 CDs, a Blu-ray, an LP, and an etched 12″.  CD 1 includes the 2020 remaster of the original album mix, while CD 2 houses the 2020 remix (also on LP).  The recent album Tea For The Tillerman ² is reprised on CD 3, while CD 4 contains demos, alternate versions, and unreleased tracks.  CD 5 is filled with 25 live recordings from The Troubadour in L.A. (also on an etched 12″),  KCET also in L.A., the BBC In Concert performance, Beat Club, various French TV appearances, and four songs recorded at New York's Fillmore East.  The Blu-ray includes the promo video for "Father and Son," TV appearances on KCET, a trio of songs from the BBC, and performances on Beat Club and French television.  If that weren't enough, there's also high-res audio of the 2020 remix of Tea For The Tillerman.  Read more about both Cat box sets here!

Peter Tork, Stranger Things Have Happened (7a)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount
180-gram Neon Magenta Splatter Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Deep Discount

7a Records has already delivered a treasure trove of releases from Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Michael Nesmith on CD and limited edition vinyl.  Is anyone missing from that list?  Now, 7a has its first release from the late Peter Tork: the first-time reissue of his only solo album, 1994's Stranger Things Have Happened, in a deluxe, expanded edition.  It features a generous nine bonus tracks on CD - including several seeing their first release in the digital domain - and six on vinyl.  (This is the album's first appearance on vinyl.)  Guests including Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Mackenzie Phillips, Owen Elliot-Kugell, Timothy B. Schmit, and Laurence Juber.  Available today in the U.K. and December 11 in the U.S.!  Read more here.

Bill Evans, Live at Ronnie Scott's (Resonance) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Late, great pianist Bill Evans is joined by Eddie Gomez and Jack DeJohnette for this never-before-released July 1968 set at the famed London jazz club.  Tracks include "Emily," "Alfie," "You're Gonna Hear from Me," "Stella by Starlight," "Waltz for Debby," and more.  This lavish package includes a 44-page booklet with numerous essays and interviews including conversations between Chick Corea and Jack DeJohnette; producer Zev Feldman and Eddie Gomez; and Feldman and Evans' friend Chevy Chase.  (Yes, that Chevy Chase!)

Sonny Rollins, Rollins in Holland: The 1967 Studio and Live Recordings (Resonance) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Rollins in Holland marks Resonance Records' first archival project from living legend Sonny Rollins.  The 2-CD set includes three previously unreleased sets with Ruud Jacobs on bass and Han Bennink on drums featuring "On Green Dolphin Street," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Love Walked In," and more.  The extensive, 100-page (!) booklet contains interviews with Rollins and Bennink, a tribute to Jacobs, and much more.

Monty Alexander, Love You Madly: Live at Bubba's (Resonance) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

For their third release of the week, Resonance presents a previously unreleased live set from pianist Monty Alexander.  He is joined by bassist Paul Berner, drummer Duffy Jackson, and percussionist Robert Thomas, Jr. for this set recorded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1982.  Their set includes "Arthur's Theme," "Samba de Orfeu," "Body and Soul," and more, and the set is packaged with an extensive booklet of liner notes in true Resonance fashion.  All three of these titles were released last Friday on LP for the Record Store Day Black Friday event.

The Dave Brubeck Quartet, Time Outtakes (Brubeck Editions) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The family of late jazz great Dave Brubeck has unearthed tapes with alternate versions and outtakes from the sessions for Dave Brubeck Quartet's seminal 1959 album Time Out.  Now, Time Outtakes presents these never-before-heard recordings on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.  Tracks include never-before-heard stabs at "Take Five" and "Blue Rondo a la Turk," plus the outtake "I'm in a Dancing Mood" and a jam based on "Watusi Drums." Among the eight tracks on the album is one of the group's studio banter.  ("Pick Up Sticks" and "Everybody's Jumpin'" aren't represented on the release as both were recorded in one take for the original Columbia LP.)

The Bangles, Sweetheart of the Sun (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Real Gone will reissue Sweetheart of the Sun, the final album to date by The Bangles, on vinyl. The 2011 album saw Susanna Hoffs and Debbie & Vicki Peterson team up with Matthew Sweet, who produced the effort. (Sweet and Hoffs had previously teamed as Sid & Susie for the Under the Covers series of albums.)  Together, they take a look back at the sound of the Laurel Canyon scene of the '60s and '70s, with the same inspired harmonies and perky arrangements that became The Bangles' signature.  The album consisted almost entirely of original songs in that mold save for a couple of covers including Todd Rundgren's early Nazz favorite "Open My Eyes."  With original copies hard to find, this fully licensed reissue on purple and pink swirl vinyl - which is limited to just 900 copies - is sure to delight any fan and vinyl aficionado.

Spacehog, The Chinese Album (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Fresh off the reissue of Spacehog's debut Resident Alien for Record Store Day, Real Gone turns to the follow-up, which sees the band pulling from power-pop and glam influences and features an appearance by Michael Stipe from R.E.M. too.  Though the album may not have been met with the same sales as their first effort, The Chinese Album remains a cult favorite among '90s rock enthusiasts. For its vinyl debut, the album will be pressed on maroon-hued vinyl, complete with a four-page insert including all the graphics from its original CD issue. This pressing will be limited to only 1,000 copies.  Read more about both of today's RGM vinyl reissues here.

Little Richard, Southern Child (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Omnivore's wide-ranging Little Richard reissue series premieres his originally-unreleased 1972 album Southern Child, delivered to Reprise Records but left in the vault until 2005.  Produced by "Bumps" Blackwell, the album showcased the rock-and-roll titan in a country-rock setting with dollops of blues, funk, and more.  Omnivore's edition features four bonus cuts as well as new liner notes from Bill Dahl.

Amy Winehouse, The Collection (Island/UMC)  (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Amy Winehouse's The Collection brings together the British singer's full-length efforts including both of the studio albums released in her lifetime, 2003's Frank and 2006's breakthrough Back to Black.  The latter, still one of the U.K.'s best-selling albums, earned the singer her second Ivor Novello Award (the first was for "Stronger Than Me" on Frank), a Brit Award, and five Grammys - tying the record for the most wins in one night by a female artist and making her the first British woman to win five of the coveted trophies.  Disc 3 has the posthumously-released Lioness: Hidden Treasures, which compiled alternates, one-off covers, and collaborations with Bennett, Nas, and Back to Black producer Mark Ronson.  The fourth CD has the audio from Winehouse's Shepherd's Bush concert of May 29, 2007, previously released on DVD only, and the fifth CD boasts remixes drawn from singles of "Stronger Than Me," "Back to Black," "You Know I'm No Good," "Love Is a Losing Game," and 11 more songs.

Amy Winehouse, 12 x 7: The Singles Collection (Island/UMC) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

12 x 7: The Singles Collection celebrates the late Amy Winehouse with all of her A- and B-sides, including the Ivor Novello Award winners "Stronger Than Me," "Rehab," and "Love Is a Losing Game," on 12 slabs of vinyl.  Its twelve singles - totaling 23 sides (as Disc 12, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," doesn't have a B-side) - encompass both Winehouse's jazz-tinged/retro R&B originals as well as her interpretations of such classic songs as Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow," Mort Garson and Bob Hilliard's "Our Day Will Come," and Leon Russell's "A Song for You."  Also featured is her impassioned rendition of "Body and Soul" with Tony Bennett.  Read more about both Winehouse titles here!

The White Stripes, Greatest Hits (Third Man/Columbia)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Target Exclusive Edition

The White Stripes' Greatest Hits is the first release under an agreement between Third Man Records, Jack White, and Sony Music Entertainment.  This collection (available on single CD, double 150-gram vinyl LP, and digitally) brings together The White Stripes' hits and favorites such as "Seven Nation Army," "Icky Thump," "Fell in Love with a Girl," and Bacharach and David's "I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself."  Target's edition has an exclusive slipmat included.

Bob Marley, The Complete Island Recordings (Island/UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Bob Marley and The Wailers' "Zippo" box set is finally coming to CD.  This reasonably-priced 11-disc box has all of the legendary group's Island recordings including nine studio albums and two live records.

Steve Forbert, Jackrabbit Slim/Alive on Arrival: 40th Anniversary (Blue Corn) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Singer-songwriter Steve Forbert collects his first two albums on this anniversary 2-CD set.  Alive on Arrival has been sourced from the original Japanese master while Jackrabbit Slim is a 2020 remaster from Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.  Both albums have been expanded: Alive with five bonus tracks (the same as on the 2013 edition) and Jackrabbit with six including a live version of the hit "Romeo's Tune."  (The alternate take of "Make It All So Real" has been dropped from the 2013 tunestack.)  David Wild has provided the liner notes in the insert.

The Gun Club, Miami (Blixa Sounds) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Blixa Sounds revisits Jeffrey Lee Pierce and The Gun Club's sophomore LP, 1982's Miami, in a 2-CD or 2-LP expanded edition.  Blondie's Chris Stein produced the album while Deborah Harry guested on background vocals.  Both versions have a remastered version of the original album plus a bonus disc of 18 previously unissued demos.  Bill Inglot and Dave Schultz have handled the remastering of this lost gem with its unusual blend of blues, country, and pure punk attitude.  New liner notes have been penned by Craig Rosen and Terry James Graham.

Blackmore's Night, Here We Come A-Caroling (Ear Music/Edel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Hard rock legend Ritchie Blackmore and his wife Candice Night's folk-rock-oriented outfit Blackmore's Night celebrates the Christmas season with this new EP featuring four traditional carols: "Here We Come A-Caroling," "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," "O Little Town of Bethlehem," and "Silent Night."  Available on CD, vinyl, and digitally.