Release Round-Up: Week of April 24
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Michael Jackson, Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture (Epic/Legacy)
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Clear Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
2LP (Translucent Black Ice Vinyl): Independent Record Stores
Cassette: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
Friday, April 24 sees the release in theatres everywhere of Michael, director Antoine Fuqua’s biopic-slash-celebration of the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Epic Records and Legacy Recordings are marking the occasion with the release the same day of Michael: Songs from the Motion Picture, a straightforward, 13-song soundtrack drawing on the period between The Jackson 5’s Motown debut and Jackson’s triumphant Bad (1987). With just a baker’s dozen selections–all of which are previously released–the album serves as a Jackson sampler and a keepsake of the film but doesn’t add anything new to his discography. The album is available on CD, LP, cassette (!), and digital formats, with various color variants of the vinyl version available. Read more here.
Richard Barone & James Mastro, Nuts and Bolts: Expanded Edition (Iconoclassic) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Recorded after Jersey post-punk heroes The Bongos’ debut Drums Along the Hudson, this more stripped-down duo selection from its frontman Richard Barone and lead guitarist James Mastro (with Mitch Easter producing) may be somewhat quieter than the band’s other material, but it’s no less accessible. For this debut CD release, it’s been expanded with four unreleased bonus tracks and new liner notes from artists and producer.
The Snake Corps, Flesh on Flesh: Expanded Edition (Iconoclassic) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
A fantastic find in the post-punk canon (recalling early U2 or Echo and The Bunnymen), the 1985 debut from The Snake Corps has been remastered by Maria Triana and expanded with seven rare B-sides and single tracks (three of which are new to CD). Mick Mercer has written liner notes, drawing from new interviews with all four members of the band.
Michael Bublé, Live: Caught in the Act [Expanded Edition] (143/Reprise) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Michael Bublé supported his 2005 multi-platinum album It’s Time with an international tour that saw him make two stops, in August, at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theatre. Those concerts formed the basis of his concert album released later that year, Live! Caught in the Act. The original release consisted of a concert film on DVD and an audio sampler with eight songs on CD. Now, for its 20th anniversary, Live! Caught in the Act is being reissued as a 2CD set (also available digitally) with the complete concert in audio form. Read more here.
Level 42, The Later Years 2001-2020 (Cherry Red/Robinsongs) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
The fourth and final box set of Level 42’s discography from Robinsongs covers their 21st century output, when the group reunited for 2006’s Retroglide and continued to tour through the years. This 7CD set includes Retroglide, a set of acoustic recordings from 2010 to 2013, the EP Sirens (2013) and four discs of rare remixes and bonus tracks. It’s compiled with the full cooperation of the group, alongside band authorities Paul Waller and Simon Carson. Daryl Easlea of Record Collector has penned liner notes, drawing from interviews with band members past and present. Each disc is housed in its own individual wallet and packed in a hard clamshell case. Get more details here.
Hank Marvin, The Studio Album Collection 1982-1995 (Edsel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Edsel revisits one chapter of legendary Shadows guitarist Hank Marvin’s career with this new 5CD, 71-track box set. The Studio Album Collection 1982-1995 features five complete albums (boasting contributions from Brian May, Duane Eddy, Jeff Lynne, Brian Bennett, and Cliff Richard) and one non-LP single, housed in 7″ deluxe gatefold packaging, with a glued-in 12-page booklet. Read all about it here.
Various Artists, Rock and Roll Doctor: Lowell George Tribute Album (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Omnivore brings two Record Store Day titles to CD today. Rock and Roll Doctor is a new edition of the 1997 tribute album to the late Little Feat frontman, featuring appearances by Randy Newman, JD Souther, Bonnie Raitt, Jackson Browne, Allen Toussaint, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Valerie Carter, and others including his Feat bandmates and daughter Inara George. It’s all in a package with new artwork.
Francoise Hardy, In English (Omnivore) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
This 18-track set brings together all of the French ye-ye girl‘s English language recordings for Vogue Records between 1962-1967 including many tracks composed by the singer; all tracks have been newly remastered.
Ringo Starr, Long, Long Road (UMe) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)
Ringo Starr returns with his second consecutive album co-produced by T Bone Burnett. Long Long Road is recorded in Burnett’s signature organic style and features collaborations with Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle, Sheryl Crow, and St. Vincent. The LP, available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, includes six songs penned by Burnett along with Starr’s own compositions and a cover of Carl Perkins’ “I Don’t See Me in Your Eyes Anymore” – neatly calling back to the Perkins covers performed by Starr back when he was in a certain Fab Four!
