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/ News

Magic's in the Air: SoulMusic, Cherry Red Reissue Brook Benton, Esther Phillips Albums

June 28, 2016 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Brook Benton Home Style and Story Teller

Two late legends of soul - Brook Benton and Esther Phillips - have recently been feted on a pair of reissues from SoulMusic Records and Cherry Red. By the time Brook Benton signed with Atlantic Records' Cotillion imprint in 1968, he had already enjoyed an illustrious career at labels including OKeh, Epic, RCA, Mercury and Reprise.  The move to Atlantic paid off when his recording of Tony Joe White's "Rainy Night in Georgia" not only reached No. 1 but became a signature song for the vocalist. 

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Jazz, R&B/Soul Tags: Brook Benton, Esther Phillips

Born to Love You: Freddie Mercury's Solo Singles Collected on New Set

June 27, 2016 By Mike Duquette 2 Comments

Freddie Mercury The Singles Cover

A new Freddie Mercury anthology will be released this fall, chronicling the late Queen singer's solo tracks on two CDs and 13 vinyl singles. Messenger of the Gods: The Singles features 25 tracks recorded by Mercury and released between 1973 and 1993--several of which were never released in America, or released widely on CD. Among the set's rarer treasures is Mercury's first "solo" single, credited to Larry Lurex in 1973. The single, featuring covers of Phil Spector's "I Can Hear Music"

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop Tags: Freddie Mercury, Queen

Do You Like The Rain? Cherry Red Revisits Kerr and McKuen's "The Sea, The Earth, The Sky"

June 24, 2016 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

The Sea The Earth The Sky

When singer-songwriter-poet Rod McKuen teamed with composer-arranger-conductor Anita Kerr for the 1967 album The Sea, neither had any inkling that the record's success would lead to an entire series of albums under the San Sebastian Strings moniker through 1975.  The oft-imitated, never-duplicated, platinum-selling The Sea epitomized the now-moribund genre of "mood music," offering spoken word and music in a relaxing, spellbinding mélange.  Cherry Red's él imprint has recently reissued the box

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Everything Else, Pop Tags: Anita Kerr, Rod McKuen, The San Sebastian Strings

The Three Fates: BMG Prepares Emerson, Lake and Palmer Reissues, New Anthology

June 23, 2016 By Joe Marchese 6 Comments

Emerson Lake and Palmer Anthology

A new round of reissues dedicated to progressive titans Emerson, Lake and Palmer are on the way from the BMG label beginning this July and continuing through 2016 and 2017.  This new campaign promises to encompass not only ELP's nine studio albums but also the band's live recordings and compilations.  The reissues will arrive in a variety of formats including CD (with new liner notes by Chris Welch drawing on 2016 interviews with Greg Lake and the late Keith Emerson); standard, mastered for

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock Tags: Emerson Lake and Palmer

We Dig Anita and Ahmad! Cherry Red's él Label Collects Kerr and Jamal

June 22, 2016 By Joe Marchese 2 Comments

Anita Kerr We Dig Anita

Cherry Red's él imprint has previously celebrated the legendary career of Anita Kerr with various album reissues, and now the label is putting the spotlight on her prolific work in the studio supporting a host of music's most famous artists.  We Dig Anita: The Oohs and Aahs of the Nashville Sound brings together 33 tracks from this multi-talented pioneer of the lush country-pop Nashville Sound - an accomplished singer, musician, arranger, producer and composer.  All of the tracks on We Dig

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Country, Jazz, Pop Tags: Ahmad Jamal, Anita Kerr

It's Her Party: Ace Reissues Lesley Gore's "Boys, Boys, Boys"

June 21, 2016 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Lesley Gore Boys Boys Boys

The teenaged Lesley Gore sure knew about boys.  Among the titles in her era-defining catalogue include "Wonder Boy," "Yeh, Yeh, Yeh (That Boy of Mine)," "Boys," "Sometimes I Wish I Were a Boy," and, of course, "That's the Way Boys Are."  The latter opened the teen queen's 1964 album Boys, Boys, Boys - a loose concept album of a sort dedicated to the precocious, talented singer's most-visited theme of young love.  The late artist's third LP, it's recently been reissued by Ace Records in a

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: Lesley Gore

So Happy Together: The Turtles Prepare "Complete Albums" and "All the Singles"

June 20, 2016 By Joe Marchese 10 Comments

Turtles Album Collection

The Turtles once staged a fictional Battle of the Bands on a remarkable 1968 LP, but were a real such battle to occur, the group founded by Howard Kaylan, Mark Volman, Al Nichol, Jim Tucker, Chuck Portz and Don Murray would surely come out on top.  For more than 50 years, The Turtles have provided an unparalleled pop soundtrack via such infectious hits as "Happy Together," "You Baby," "She'd Rather Be with Me," "Let Me Be," "It Ain't Me Babe" and "Elenore."  But those classics are only part of

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Pop Tags: Flo and Eddie, The Turtles

In The Midnight Hour: Real Gone August Slate Includes Wilson Pickett, The B-52's, Dusty Springfield, Diamond Rio, More

June 17, 2016 By Randy Fairman 2 Comments

Wilson Pickett Complete Atlantic Singles Volume One

With summer nearly upon us, we're all beginning to make plans for the next few months.  Real Gone is doing the same, having just revealed what its releases are going to be for middle of summer in August! The first item on the list is the first of an eventual three-volume collection chronicling Wilson Pickett's tenure at Atlantic Records.  Pickett released a total of 66 single sides at the label and The Complete Atlantic Singles Vol. 1 collects the first 22 of these.  When Pickett moved to

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Country, Folk, Pop, Popular Standards/Vocal, R&B/Soul Tags: Cat Mother and the All-Night Newsboys, Diamond Rio, Dusty Springfield, Fanny, Marty Robbins, Mitch Miller, The B-52's, The New Christy Minstrels, Wilson Pickett

At The Groovy Cellar: RPM Reveals "Another Splash of Colour: New Psychedelia in Britain 1980-1985"

June 17, 2016 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Another Splash of Colour

Mention psychedelia and chances are you're transported to a certain patchouli-scented period in the late 1960s, a hazy period of high times and boundary-breaking musical creativity.  The spirit of psychedelia didn't die with the advent of glam, hard rock or disco, however, though it may have been submerged for a time.  In 1981, the 13-track album A Splash of Colour chronicled Great Britain's "New Psychedelia" with '60s-influenced cuts from The Mood Six, Miles Over Matter, The High Tide, The

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Pop, Rock Tags: Julian Cope, Robyn Hitchcock, The Attractions, Various Artists

King of the Jungle: Elvis' Jungle Room Sessions Collected On New 2-CD Set

June 16, 2016 By Joe Marchese 8 Comments

Elvis Way Down in the Jungle Room

On August 5, Elvis Presley will be heading Way Down in the Jungle Room thanks to the new release from RCA Records and Legacy Recordings.  This new 2-CD collection brings together The King's final studio recordings made in the famous Jungle Room at Graceland. Way Down in the Jungle Room is the first anthology dedicated to the master recordings and outtakes recorded at Graceland by Elvis and longtime producer Felton Jarvis during two now-legendary periods: February 2-8, 1976 and October 28-30,

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl Genre: Pop Tags: Elvis Presley

Going All The Way Is Just The Start: Meat Loaf to Reunite with Jim Steinman on New Album

June 16, 2016 By Randy Fairman 10 Comments

Meat Loaf Braver Than We Are

Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman have been inextricably linked since the beginning of their careers with the release of the classic Bat Out of Hell in 1977.  The rock heroes have gone their separate ways in the four decades since that album's release but they always seem to come back together and they are doing it once again.  A new Meat Loaf album entitled Braver Than We Are has just shown up on Amazon for release on September 16 with the subtitle reading "All Songs By Jim Steinman." This album

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Digital Download, Vinyl Genre: Rock Tags: Ellen Foley, Jim Steinman, Karla DeVito, Meat Loaf

A Matter Of Time: Glen Campbell's Atlantic Years Anthologized By Varese

June 15, 2016 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

Glen Campbell For the Good Times

Following the release of 1981's It's the World Gone Crazy, Glen Campbell left Capitol Records, his home of two decades, and moved over to Atlantic Records' new country division, Atlantic America.  The superstar artist remained at Atlantic through 1986, releasing three mainstream country LPs while simultaneously recording contemporary Christian material at Word.  Varese Vintage has recently released the first anthology of this oft-overlooked period in Campbell's career.  For the Good Times

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Country, Pop Tags: Glen Campbell

Randy Scouse Git: Micky Dolenz Teams with Christian Nesmith, Circe Link on 7a's New EP

June 14, 2016 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Micky Christian and Circe

Is there any doubt that 2016 truly is The Year of The Monkees? Following its acclaimed releases earlier this year of Micky Dolenz's "Chance of a Lifetime" single and An Evening with Peter Noone and Micky Dolenz, 7a Records is continuing its relationship with Monkee Micky for a new vinyl release.  Micky has teamed with his bandmate Michael's son Christian Nesmith and Christian's partner in music and life, Circe Link, for a brand-new EP! On June 24, 7a will release a translucent,

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Categories: News Formats: Vinyl Genre: Pop, Rock Tags: Christian Nesmith, Circe Link, Micky Dolenz, The Monkees

Get Out of Your Lazy Bed: Matt Bianco's Debut to Be Expanded by Cherry Pop

June 14, 2016 By Mike Duquette 1 Comment

Matt Bianco Whose Side

Cherry Pop Records is about to go continental with a deluxe reissue of Whose Side Are You On, the debut LP from U.K. jazz-pop outfit Matt Bianco. Originally comprised of vocalists Mark Reilly and Basia Trzetrzelewska, keyboardist Danny White and bassist Kito Poncioni (who only played on B-side "Big Rosie" and left before the full album sessions), Matt Bianco (a name meant to evoke '60s spy culture) delivered artistic, Latin-tinged jazz-pop that recalled and anticipated contemporary European

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: Basia, Matt Bianco

Got Rhythm: The Happenings, Mitch Ryder Collected By Varese Vintage

June 10, 2016 By Joe Marchese 1 Comment

Mitch Ryder All Time Greatest Hits

The classic, exhilarating sound of AM radio is alive and well with a pair of new releases from Varese Vintage that emphasize the "golden" in golden oldies!  Last week, the label offered The Very Best of The Happenings from the New Jersey pop vocal quartet, and this Friday, Varese releases All-Time Greatest Hits from the Motor City's own Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels! Bob Miranda, Ralph DiVito, Tom Giuliano and Harry Arthur came together in northern New Jersey one night in 1961, united

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, The Happenings

Moving On: Esoteric Expands The Move's "Something Else" and "Looking On"

June 9, 2016 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

The Move Looking on

Esoteric Recordings has recently continued its series of Move reissues with expanded editions of the band's 1968 EP Something Else from The Move, and its 1970 studio album Looking On. Something Else began life as a 5-track mono EP culled from performances at London's Marquee Club on February 27 and May 5, 1968.  Between those two gigs, bassist Chris "Ace" Kefford had departed the group's roster, leaving it a four-piece consisting of Carl Wayne on vocals, Roy Wood on guitar/vocals, Trevor

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: CD Genre: Classic Rock Tags: Jeff Lynne, Roy Wood, The Move

They Care a Lot: Faith No More to Expand Debut Album

June 8, 2016 By Mike Duquette 1 Comment

Faith No More We Care a Lot

Alt-metal icons Faith No More are visiting their earliest material with a deluxe edition of debut album We Care a Lot this summer. Released in 1985, the low-budget We Care a Lot was the band's first recording as Faith No More; bassist Billy Gould and drummer Mike Bordin had played together as Sharp Young Men in the late '70s and early '80s, changing their name to Faith No Man in 1983 and recruiting keyboardist Roddy Bottum shortly thereafter. This trio would leave Faith No Man for their own

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Vinyl Genre: Rock Tags: Faith No More

People of the World, Rise: BBR Reissues "The Trammps III" and Gaynor's "Glorious"

June 8, 2016 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Gloria Gaynor Glorious

Today, we're looking at two recent releases on Cherry Red's Big Break Records label from two legends of disco (and so much more): The Trammps and Gloria Gaynor! "Where were you when the lights went out in New York City?" asked The Trammps in song on the opening track of 1977's Trammps III.  (The answer?  Everyone was making love, naturally!)  The urgent, atypically topical track by Allan Felder, Ron Tyson and arranger-producer Norman Harris is just one highlight on this underrated album,

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Categories: News, Reviews Formats: CD Genre: Disco/Dance, R&B/Soul Tags: Gloria Gaynor, The Trammps

Glittering Prize: Simple Minds' "New Gold Dream" to Receive Massive Box Set

June 7, 2016 By Mike Duquette 2 Comments

Simple Minds New Gold Dream

Scottish rockers Simple Minds will celebrate their smash album New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) with a sprawling deluxe edition this summer. Released in the fall of 1982, New Gold Dream, Simple Minds' fifth studio effort, took the band to their highest summit yet as a rock ensemble. "Promised You a Miracle," "Glittering Prize" and "Someone Somewhere in Summertime" were their first three U.K. Top 40 hits, while the album peaked at No. 3. "Promised You a Miracle" got the group their debut

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Categories: News Formats: Blu-Ray Audio, Box Sets, CD Genre: Pop Tags: Simple Minds

Tutti Frutti! Little Richard Is Back On New "Mono Box"

June 7, 2016 By Joe Marchese 3 Comments

Little Richard Mono Box

Here's Little Richard!  Specialty Records is celebrating the career of the rock and roll pioneer with the July 15 release of Mono Box: The Complete Specialty and Vee-Jay Albums.  This new, 5-LP vinyl box set collects all of the studio albums that Little Richard recorded for both the Specialty and Vee-Jay labels between 1957 and 1965. The mono albums, each replicating the original label and jacket art, have been remastered from analog tapes. A 16-page booklet featuring new liner notes by Bill

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, Vinyl Genre: Classic Rock, Pop, R&B/Soul Tags: Little Richard

Just For a Thrill: Edsel Offers Third Box Set From Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings

June 7, 2016 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Bill Wymans Rhythm Kings Volume 3

Edsel has continued its series of mini-box sets dedicated to Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings with a recently-released third volume.  The Kings of Rhythm Volume 3: Tell You a Secret collects four albums originally issued between 2003 and 2011 by the legendary Rolling Stones bassist's rhythm-and-blues-rock big band.  This new box follows previous releases in the label's Bill Wyman's Recording Archive series including White Lightnin': The Solo Box and The Complete Willie and the Poor Boys. The first

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Categories: News Formats: Box Sets, CD Genre: Classic Rock Tags: Bill Wyman, The Rolling Stones

Stoned Soul Picnic: Audio Fidelity Reissues Laura Nyro's "Eli" In Quadraphonic Mix

June 6, 2016 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

Laura Nyro Eli SACD

Audio Fidelity has recently become a home for rare quadraphonic recordings on SACD, and among the label's future offerings is a true classic from Laura Nyro in its immersive quad mix: 1968's Eli and the Thirteenth Confession.  Later this month, on June 24, the label will offer Eli on hybrid SACD (playable on all CD players) with the original stereo mix newly remastered by Steve Hoffman in high-resolution stereo and standard CD formats, and the rare 4.0 quad surround mix in high

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Categories: News Formats: SACD Genre: Pop Tags: Laura Nyro

Dynamic Duos: Omnivore Reissues Henske and Yester's "Farewell Aldebaran" and McGarrigle Sisters' "Pronto"

June 6, 2016 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Judy Henske and Jerry Yester Farewell Aldebaran

Omnivore Recordings is gearing up for a busy summer, with releases from The Kingbees, The Bangles, Velvet Crush and many more.  Two of the label's most exciting titles, however, come from a pair of remarkable duos. Farewell Aldebaran arrived in 1969 on Frank Zappa's Straight Records label from the duo of Judy Henske and Jerry Yester.  Henske was the onetime "Queen of the Beatniks" whose distinctive, bluesy voice earned her legions of fans on the folk circuit.  She appeared alongside Johnny

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Categories: News Formats: CD, Vinyl Genre: Folk, Pop Tags: Jerry Yester, Judy Henske, Kate and Anna McGarrigle

Bingo! RPM Collects Rock-and-Roll and Beat Classics From Sweden's The Lee Kings

June 3, 2016 By Joe Marchese Leave a Comment

Bingo for The Lee Kings

Before ABBA, one of the most popular groups on the Swedish music scene was The Lee Kings.  Between 1965 and 1967, The Lee Kings released fourteen singles - including several hits and chart-toppers on the Tio i topp chart - and one album, all of which are collected on Bingo!! For The Lee Kings: Expanded Edition.  This RPM Records release, licensed from Warner Music Group, Universal and the band itself, has a whopping 48 tracks on two CDs, representing everything The Lee Kings recorded in their

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Categories: News Formats: CD Genre: Pop Tags: The Hollies, The Lee Kings

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN! Varese Reissues Linda Ronstadt's "Silk Purse"

June 2, 2016 By Joe Marchese 4 Comments

RonstadtSilkPurse LP5 1

Linda Ronstadt may have gotten down and dirty in the pigpen for the cover of her sophomore solo album, but the alluring music within the record's grooves was indeed far closer to the Silk Purse of its title than to a sow's ear.  The 1970 Nashville-recorded LP, recently reissued on CD by Varese Vintage on the heels of its 2015 Black Friday Record Store Day vinyl release, fused Ronstadt's West Coast sensibilities with an authentic country-and-western vibe.  It's as potent a blend now as it was

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Categories: Giveaways!, News Formats: CD Genre: Country, Pop Tags: Linda Ronstadt

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