Features / Release Round-Up

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.

Genesis, From Genesis to Revelation: Deluxe Edition (Esoteric/Cherry Red)

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

From Genesis to Revelation, the debut album from prog-rock legends Genesis, is no stranger to reissues due to its complicated ownership history. But this year, on the eve of the group’s 60th anniversary, Cherry Red’s Esoteric label has prepared the most expansive editions of the album ever pressed – versions approved by the group’s original founding members, including original vocalist Peter Gabriel and longtime members Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford.  Available as a 4CD/Blu-ray box set or smaller 2CD and 2LP offerings, the centerpiece of all editions is a set of new remixes of the original album and four non-LP sides and outtakes by Stephen W. Tayler. (Those stereo mixes, including an unreleased early version of later album cut “Visions of Angels,” make up the entirety of the double vinyl and half of the 2CD set, with the other half featuring a remaster of the original stereo album.) The box set adds further bonus material: the album, four single sides and an outtake in their original mono mixes, and a disc of demos, mostly taken from 1998’s Genesis Archive 1967-75 box set except for four released for the first time. The tracks upgraded in stereo by Tayler will also be available on a box set-exclusive Blu-ray in Dolby Atmos and 5.1 surround sound; that disc also includes video footage of Gabriel, Banks and Rutherford reuniting at AIR Studios in London earlier this year to hear and approve playbacks of the mixes. The deluxe set is rounded out with a 68-page booklet with new liner notes by Jon Dann, featuring new commentary from Gabriel, Banks, Rutherford and original guitarist Anthony Phillips.  Read more here!

Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, Ultimate Collection (Edsel) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

This new 10-CD box brings together six studio albums, two live sets, and a live bonus disc (Best of the Bootleg Kings) plus a handful of additional tracks to create the Ultimate celebration of the Rolling Stones’ longtime bassist’s big band. Guests include George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Chris Rea, and Mark Knopfler.  The first pressing includes a signed art print from Wyman.

John Prine, Found Dogs (Oh Boy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

After a limited Record Store Day release in April, John Prine’s Found Dogs comes to CD and wide-release LP.  The collection celebrates the 30th anniversary of Prine’s 1995 LP Lost Dogs & Mixed Blessings with a selection of demos, outtakes, and alternates (including five previously unreleased songs) from the period that yielded the original album.  Prine would have turned 80 tomorrow, October 10.

Paul Simon, The Quiet Celebration Concert (Legacy) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Paul Simon came out of live retirement for his acclaimed Quiet Celebration tour, reflecting his acknowledged hearing loss with new arrangements of classic favorites alongside a full presentation of his Seven Psalms album.  This live album recorded at Seattle’s McCaw Hall features both acts of the concert, including Seven Psalms, “Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard,” “The Boxer,” “Homeward Bound,” “Graceland,” and more.  Available on 2 CDs, 3 LPs, or digitally.

Pet Shop Boys, A Man from the Future (Parlophone) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

The PSBs have teamed with actress Juliet Stevenson, orchestrator Sven Helbig, and the Manchester Camerata Octet for this new concept album about World War II codebreaker and pioneering mathematician Alan Turing (who tragically died following his prosecution for homosexual acts).  A Man from the Future blends electronic textures, spoken word, and orchestral-electronic hybrids.  The 2CD version has the album proper plus a disc of instrumental-only mixes; the vinyl has the album only.  Also available digitally.

Jesus Christ Superstar [4K UHD + Blu-ray] (Kino Lorber) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon Canada)

Reader Jay Johnson suggested that we cover this title – and when we hear a great idea, we’re happy to take it up!  The fine folks at Kino Lorber (responsible for so many great titles of late, including the Pink Panther Masterpiece Collection, a personal favorite here at TSD HQ!) have brought a new edition of Norman Jewison’s 1973 film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical to 4K+Blu-ray.  And it’s a doozy: the film itself has been sourced from a new 4K scan of the original 35mm camera negative, while audio has been completely and newly remixed by Grammy Award-nominated engineer Brian Kehew (Woodstock) in 5.1 and stereo.  The original stereo mix is also included as well as archival bonus features and new commentary tracks.  While the 4K disc is region-free, the accompanying Blu-ray is Region A.