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Real Gone’s August slate of releases hitting stores tomorrow, August 7, spans from the 1970s to the 1990s and includes genres from soul to rock death metal to punk (!) on vinyl and CD.  Read below for more details on each title!

Absolute Grey formed in September 1983 in Rochester, New York, consisting of vocalist Beth Brown, guitarist Matt Kitchen, bassist Mitchell Rasor, and drummer Pat Thomas. Drawing inspiration from the melodic guitar work of bands such as R.E.M., Rain Parade, and the Paisley Underground movement, Absolute Grey developed a distinctive sound that blended shimmering guitars, introspective songwriting, and atmospheric melodies.  The band quickly built a regional following through performances at Rochester clubs before releasing a six-song demo cassette in 1984. Later that year they independently issued their debut album, Green House, which earned critical acclaim for its songwriting and arrangements. The album was eventually reissued by Midnight Records.

In 1986, Absolute Grey released their second album, What Remains, produced by Tim Lee of The Windbreakers. Shortly afterward, Thomas and Kitchen departed, leaving Brown and Rasor to continue briefly as a duo. They released the acoustic-flavored Painted Post EP in 1987 before the original lineup reunited to record Sand Down the Moon, released in 1989. The Greek label Di Di Records also issued the live album A Journey Through the Past, documenting the band’s concert performances.  Real Gone’s new CD, Live at CBGB’s 1985 presents 10 previously unreleased recordings the band performed at that storied, much-missed New York venue.  The songs are all Absolute Grey originals with the exception of a cover of Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.”  The package includes liner notes from Karen Schoemer, Jim DeRogatis, and Luke Wood.

Cause of Death is the second studio album by the Florida death metal band Obituary and is widely regarded as one of the defining releases of the early death metal movement. Recorded in 1990 at Morrisound Recording in Tampa, Florida, with producer Scott Burns, the album captured the band’s crushing blend of downtuned riffs, relentless rhythms, and John Tardy’s unmistakably guttural vocals. It was released on September 19, 1990, through Roadrunner Records imprint R/C Records and marked the first and only Obituary album to feature guitarist James Murphy from Death, Disincarnate, and Testament.

The album’s cover artwork created by Michael Whelan became a famous image in extreme metal circles. Songs such as “Chopped in Half,” “Body Bag,” and the title track also staples of the band’s live performances. Although it did not achieve major chart success, Cause of Death received critical acclaim and is now considered one of the high watermarks of the death metal genre.  Real Gone’s new vinyl edition has been remastered and comes on gray with black splatter vinyl. The package also contains an insert.

EV3, the third album by En Vogue came in June 1997 via EastWest/Elektra Records. The album was recorded between September 1996 and May 1997, following the enormous success of the platinum-selling single “Don’t Let Go (Love),” which appeared on the Set It Off soundtrack. Originally titled Friendship, the project reunited the group after a lengthy hiatus during which members pursued solo projects and started families.  The recording sessions were marked by significant internal turmoil. As the album neared completion, original member Dawn Robinson left the group after contract negotiations reached an impasse and she decided to pursue a solo career. Her departure forced Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, and Maxine Jones to regroup as a trio and re-record many of Robinson’s lead vocal parts before the album’s release. However, Robinson’s vocals were ultimately retained on several tracks, and her background harmonies appear throughout much of the album, making EV3 a unique blend of performances by both the original quartet and the newly reconfigured trio.

Despite the behind-the-scenes challenges, EV3 debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA becoming the group’s biggest-selling album. It produced the hit singles “Don’t Let Go (Love),” “Whatever,” and “Too Gone, Too Long.”  Real Gone originally released a vinyl version of this album back in April for RSD on forest green vinyl.  Now they are bringing it to general retail in light blue vinyl.  The 2-LP set comes in a gatefold package.  Please note that this version drops the two originally Japan-only bonus tracks featured on the RSD edition.

Take It to the Streets is the second studio album by New York rock band Elephant’s Memory, released in September 1970 on Metromedia Records. It followed the group’s self-titled 1969 debut, which had gained recognition after two songs were featured on the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack. Despite that exposure, the band’s first album sold poorly, and Take It to the Streets also struggled commercially, although the single “Mongoose” did make the Billboard chart at No. 50.

The album was issued during a period when Elephant’s Memory was building a reputation as one of New York City’s most active live bands. Even though it failed to chart, the record helped establish the group within the city’s rock scene and attracted the attention of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. Within a year, several members of Elephant’s Memory became the backing band for Lennon and Ono, performing on Some Time in New York City, appearing at the historic One to One benefit concerts in 1972, and later recording for Apple Records.

Real Gone’s vinyl edition is the first-ever reissue of the Metromedia album.  It has been remastered by Mike Milchner at SonicVision and is pressed on clear with black swirl vinyl.  There are also two variants available: a Wax Mage version, limited to 25 copies and a Real Gone webstore exclusive “Infinity Splatter” vinyl, limited to 50 copies.  Both are available from Real Gone’s website.

If you’d like to give any of these titles coming out tomorrow, August 7, a try, we’ve got the full tracklistings and ordering links below.

Absolute Grey, Live at CBGB’s 1985 (Real Gone Music, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

1. Gardens
2. Umbrella
3. Untitled
4. More Walnuts
5. A Joke
6. No Man’s Land
7. Memory Of You
8. Willow
9. White Rabbit
10. Killing Birds

Obituary, Cause of Death (Originally released on R/C Records CD RRD 9370, 1990 – reissued Real Gone Music, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

Side 1

1. Infected
2. Body Bag
3. Chopped in Half
4. Circle of the Tyrants

Side 2

1. Find the Arise
2. Cause of Death
3. Memories Remain
4. Turned Inside Out

En Vogue, EV3 (Light Blue Vinyl Edition) (Originally released on EastWest CD 7559-62097-2, 1997 – reissued Real Gone Music, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

LP 1

Side 1

1. Whatever
2. Don’t Let Go (Love)
3. Right Direction

Side 2

1. Damn I Wanna Be Your Lover
2. Too Gone, Too Long
3. You’re All I Need

LP 2

Side 1

1. Let It Flow
2. Sitting by Heaven’s Door
3. Love Makes You Do Thangs

Side 2

1. What a Difference a Day Makes
2. Eyes of a Child
3. Does Anybody Hear Me
4. I’ve Got Your Gun

Elephant’s Memory, Take It To the Streets (Originally released on Metromedia Records LP MD 1035, 1970 – reissued Real Gone Music, 2026) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music)

Side 1

1. Mongoose
2. Power
3. Piece Now
4. Tricky Noses

Side 2

1. She’s Just Naturally Bad
2. I Couldn’t Dream
3. Damn
4. Ivan