And what could Cherry Red possibly do further with the sterling synth catalogue of Howard Jones? Some seven years into the label's acquisition of Jones' Warner-era material from 1983 to 1993, the U.K. label has found a way: to celebrate the 40th anniversary of debut album Human's Lib, it and follow-up Dream Into Action will be newly remixed for new CD/Blu-ray editions available May 31.
This early portion of Jones' discography - which includes hits and fan favorites like "New Song," "What is Love," "Hide and Seek," "Things Can Only Get Better," "Life in One Day" and the original version of "No One is to Blame" (made a bigger hit in America by a re-recorded version produced by Phil Collins) - has been given two fresh new remixes in stereo and 5.1 surround by respected British engineer Stephen W. Tayler, who did the original album mixes. (The albums will also boast newly-mixed versions of several non-LP tracks on both CD and Blu-ray.) Additionally, the Blu-rays will also feature five new Dolby Atmos mixes of selected tracks created by Bob Clearmountain. Most of these mixes were released on Apple Music, Amazon and TIDAL last month on the Celebrating Together EP, which also included a new Atmos version of 1989's "The Prisoner." It's a safe bet, then, that more album remixes are in the pipeline.
For these editions, a 12-page booklet will be included, featuring more new liner notes by Anil Prasad, who draws new insight about the album and these mixes by both Jones and Tayler themselves.
Both versions can be pre-ordered now, due in stores on May 31. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a portion of qualifying purchases at the below links.
Human's Lib (New Mixes) (Cherry Red PCDB2BRED903 (U.K.), 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Blu-ray Audio (5.1 surround and 96/24 LPCM 2024 stereo mixes) / CD (96/24 LPCM 2024 stereo mix)
* indicates additional Dolby Atmos mix on Blu-ray
- Conditioning
- What is Love?
- Pearl in the Shell
- Hide and Seek *
- Hunt the Self
- New Song *
- Don't Always Look At the Rain
- Equality
- Natural
- Human's Lib
- Always Asking Questions
- New Song (Farmyard Version) *
- China Dance
Tracks 1-10 released as WEA WX1 (U.K.)/Elektra 40335 (U.S.), 1984
Track 11 released on The 12" Album - WEA WX-14 (U.K.), 1984
Track 12 released on Human's Lib (Super Deluxe Edition) - Cherry Red PCRCDBOX65 (U.K.), 2018
Track 13 released on "Hide & Seek" U.K. 12" - WEA HOW 3T, 1984
Dream Into Action (New Mixes) (Cherry Red PCDB2BRED904 (U.K.), 2024) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Blu-ray Audio (5.1 surround and 96/24 LPCM 2024 stereo mixes) / CD (96/24 LPCM 2024 stereo mix)
* indicates additional Dolby Atmos mix on Blu-ray
- Things Can Only Get Better *
- Life in One Day
- Dream Into Action
- No One is to Blame
- Look Mama
- Assault and Battery
- Automaton
- Is There a Difference?
- Elegy
- Specialty
- Why Look for the Key
- Hunger for the Flesh
- Bounce Right Back
- Like to Get to Know You Well *
Tracks 1-12 released as WEA WX-15 (U.K.), 1985
Tracks 13-14 released as WEA single HOW 5, 1984
Billy D says
A definite purchase!
Seems odd that only a few atmos mixes are included.
Probably saving them all for another reissue...
Tod H. says
Since my system is not set up for Atmos this doesn’t upset me greatly but I feel others’ pain. What does not please me is that the Phil Collins-produced hit single version of No One Is To Blame is not on the Dream Into Action blu ray in any format. I know it was released as a single after DIA came out but…hopefully it will show up on the One To One blu ray if there is one.