How do you follow up an essential document like this year's comprehensive Wattstax box set? If you're Craft Recordings, you plan a trip deep into the unheard history of the legendary Memphis label, through dozens of demos released for the first time anywhere. Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos is an impressive 7CD anthology including 146 demo versions of enduring Stax hits and fan favorites, songs written by label songwriters that ended up elsewhere as well as a number of songs
On His Own: Bobby Brown's Breakthrough 'Don't Be Cruel' Set for Deluxe Edition at Iconoclassic
Leaving a pop group can be a tricky thing. Will the work you do on your own connect with audiences the same way it did with your bandmates? Ultimately, there's only one way to find out: strike hard and make the music your own. Bobby Brown of New Edition delivered a master class in how to go solo with his second LP Don't Be Cruel (1988) - and now, thanks to Iconoclassic Records, it's getting its due on disc with a deluxe 2CD edition packed with remixes and rarities. As one fifth of Boston
Going for It: New Wham! Compilations Offer Singles, New to CD Mixes and More
More than 40 years after they took the U.K. - and then the world - by storm, the story of pop duo WHAM! will be told in a multi-format compilation, issued just after a new documentary set for release this summer. The Singles: Echoes from the Edge of Heaven is arguably the most comprehensive look at the work of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley as they combined their glossy good looks with an almost unsuspecting penchant for pop brilliance. In just five short years, the pair notched nearly a
Sea Breeze: "Lush Exotica" Collects Four Early Albums from Arthur Lyman
The title of the new collection from Cherry Red's Righteous imprint, Lush Exotica, conjures up images of tropical islands, palm trees swaying in the breeze, sun-drenched beaches, and Polynesian paradise. Perhaps no artist provided a more vivid soundtrack to those images than Arthur Lyman. The late vibraphonist and marimba player (1932-2002), born in Oahu, Hawaii, recorded dozens of albums applying his breezy, alluring style to genres such as folk, jazz, showtunes, and pop. Lush Exotica
In Memoriam: Harry Belafonte (1927-2023)
Can a song truly make change? In an increasingly complex, divided and uncertain world, it's a fair question that has no easy answers. As a child, though, I can tell you I believe the answer was yes. After all, there was Harry Belafonte's "Turn the World Around." It's funny to think that a song from one of Belafonte's final studio albums - far removed from the unprecedented success of 1956's Calypso, the first LP claimed to sell a million copies - and one that didn't even get a considerable
Straight Into Love: Kenny Rogers' Posthumous "Life Is Like a Song" Coming in June
Kenny Rogers released the 28th and final studio album of his lifetime with 2015's Once Again It's Christmas. On June 2, UMe will celebrate the late superstar's musical legacy with a posthumous release featuring eight previously unreleased tracks and two rarities. Life Is Like a Song, coming on CD, vinyl, and digital formats, has been curated and executive produced by his widow Wanda Rogers. It's also Rogers' first studio album to debut on vinyl in the U.S. since 1991. Life Is Like a Song
Mind Go Wild: Zappa's 1970 "Hot Rats" Sequel "Funky Nothingness" Gets First Release
In the pantheon of jazz-rock, Frank Zappa's 1969 LP Hot Rats is surely near the pinnacle. The primarily instrumental album recorded by Zappa, multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood, and the top tier of L.A.'s session musicians melded the compositional and improvisational sophistication of jazz with Zappa's gritty, searing, and blues-drenched electric rock style. Recorded to 16 tracks at a time when the technology was still in its infancy, Hot Rats pushed the boundaries of production. Elements of
The Second Disc's Record Store Day 2023 Shopping Guide
Record Store Day! It's that time again where music lovers and vinyl flippers get together at their favorite physical music retailers and wait in line to snag some treasured albums - almost all of which are pressed on vinyl instead of CD (or, you know, sold on secondary marketplaces for above their retail value). It's certainly easy to be cynical about this stuff, but the crux of the idea still lives: find some music that moves you, something from an old favorite you've maybe never heard
Take Me Home Tonight: Liberation Hall Preps Eddie Money, Muddy Waters, Charlie Parker, More for Record Store Day
When it comes to Record Store Day, Liberation Hall sure isn't kidding around. The label has seven titles from a host of rock, jazz, blues, and folk superstars, all set for release on vinyl at independent record stores everywhere tomorrow, April 22 - but that's not all. All seven albums have also arrived on CD. Eddie Money's The Covers (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) brings the late rock-and-roller's two 2009 EPs together on one album. The eight songs on The Covers encompass the
Summer Sessions: Rusted Wave and 1984 Publishing Premiere '80s Scores by Alan Silvestri, Danny Elfman
The '80s not only saw tremendous soundtracks from many of the established composers in Hollywood, but a new generation of musicians making a mark on the silver screen, as well. Next month, two of the best film music discoveries of the '80s will be the subject of new reissues from Rusted Wave Records and 1984 Publishing (known for printing photo books about "Weird Al" Yankovic as well as the memoir by the late Marie Fredriksson of Roxette fame). The labels will prep vinyl and CD releases of
Could It Be Magic: Barry Manilow's Debut, in Rare Original Mix, Heads to Vinyl
Barry Manilow will mark the 50th anniversary of his solo career with an exciting vinyl reissue of his debut album - pressed in a way that's not been heard and seen together since it first came out. The beloved singer/songwriter has been on a hot streak lately that most artists his age would sell their souls for. Already a celebrated draw at the Westgate Las Vegas (his 14th year as a concert act in Sin City, and fast closing in on as many performances at the venue as Elvis Presley), Manilow
Marshall Crenshaw to Have a 'Field Day' with Another Expanded Reissue
Yep Roc Records thrilled fans of great power-pop when they expanded and reissued Marshall Crenshaw's long out-of-print 1982 debut album last year, hitting vinyl for Record Store Day and following up soon after on CD and digital. This summer, the magic continues with a similar reissue for Crenshaw's second LP Field Day. After the delirious magic of Crenshaw's first LP - including the Top 40 hit "Someday, Someway" and a host of other great tunes - even the best of predictions wouldn't have had
Hard Rock Road: Esoteric Collects Steppenwolf's "Epic Years"
BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COMWhile Steppenwolf will always be remembered for classic rock and oldies radio perennials "Born to Be Wild" and "Magic Carpet Ride," the band was much more than just those two hits. The original iteration of the band fronted by German-Canadian singer-songwriter John Kay on Dunhill Records notched a dozen entries on the U.S. Hot 100 as well as $42 million in record sales, $7 million in concert tickets, and two Gold-certified albums. Their music spoke to the
This Way, Mary: Quartet Expands John Barry's "Mary, Queen of Scots"
Today, we're continuing our ongoing look at a recent crop of soundtrack releases! The life of Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587) has proved ample fodder for filmmakers over the years, from 1936's Mary of Scotland with Katharine Hepburn to 2018's Mary, Queen of Scots with Saoirse Ronan. Mary was just six days old when her father, James V of Scotland, died and she inherited his throne. She married Francis, the Dauphin of France in 1558, becoming queen consort of France. When she returned to
UPDATE 4/17/23: New Four Seasons Mega-Box Will Have You Swearin' to God
The Four Seasons are one of America's most resonant and enduring pop/rock outfits. Between the group and its distinctive frontman Frankie Valli, they've scored around a dozen Top 10 hits - seven of which went to No. 1. Their early output in the '60s held its own against the British Invasion. They maintained hits into the disco era, and a cover of one of their songs hit the upper reaches of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2021. The original quartet was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and
The Weekend Stream: April 15, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing weekly review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to usher you into the weekend. Rarities and oddities abound: cartoon soundtracks, early works from country legends, and more! Pat Irwin, Rocko's Modern Life (Original Music from the Series) (Nickelodeon) (iTunes / Amazon) Joe Murray's colorful cartoon about a harried wallaby and his misadventures was one of Nickelodeon's
Neon Knights: Black Sabbath's Dio-Era Live Album Gets Remixed Reissue
Like all good demons, Black Sabbath proved they could rise from the dead - or, at the very least, the loss of their iconic frontman - with the recruitment of Ronnie James Dio as lead singer in the early '80s. Now, the live document they issued chronicling this era will get a new look for its 40th anniversary. Live Evil, the 1983 double album that followed Dio, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Vinny Appice as they toured in support of Mob Rules and Heaven and Hell the
Forever Young: Bob Dylan's "Shadow Kingdom" Comes to CD, LP
Those of you who missed out on Bob Dylan's Shadow Kingdom: you're in luck. The troubadour's pandemic-era concert event, which was first livestreamed in stark black-and-white in July 2021, is now coming to CD, 2LP, and digital formats for its audio-only premiere. Shadow Kingdom will arrive from Columbia Records and Legacy Recordings on June 2, and the film will be available for digital download and rental beginning the following Tuesday, June 6. Shadow Kingdom found Dylan dipping into the
Release Round-Up: Week of April 14
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles in stores today! Dionne Warwick, The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Real Gone Music) The Complete Scepter Singles 1962-1973 is a set for which Dionne Warwick fans have long been waiting: a complete collection featuring the A- and B-sides of every one of her classic Scepter Records singles (plus two bonus sides originally issued on the
The State You're In: Expanded Album from Feelies Bassist Coming in April
As the bassist for The Feelies from 1983 to 1991 - and again for their ongoing 21st century reunions - Brenda Sauter had a front row seat to some of the best underground sounds of the New York metropolitan area during a crucial time for indie rock. This month, one of her most significant solo projects will get its due thanks to a special Record Store Day reissue and a rarities-packed digital expanded edition. Wild Carnation, the outfit Sauter fronted (alongside guitarist/organist Richard
Wonderful Tonight(s): Eric Clapton Announces '24 Nights' Box Set
Like Cheap Trick and Budokan or The Allman Brothers Band and the Beacon Theatre, Eric Clapton has a kind of bond with London's Royal Albert Hall. He's played there more than 200 times in the last 60 years - more than any other artist - and condensed two runs of shows at the venue into the live album 24 Nights in 1991, the start of a critical and commercial renaissance for the guitar legend. On June 23, Rhino rolls out a series of products telling an even deeper story of the period that
Wait: Paul Simon Announces New Folk Project for Release in May
Last year, rumors began abounding that Paul Simon was back in the studio recording a new album which would be his first since 2018's In the Blue Light and first of original material since 2016's Stranger to Stranger. 2018 was also the year when Simon said goodbye to the road with his Homeward Bound tour. That farewell tour culminated on September 22 in an unforgettable hometown show at Queens' Flushing Meadows Corona Park, but Simon has revealed that he's far from done with music. Those
Where the Devil Don't Stay: Drive-By Truckers Plan "Director's Cut" of 'The Dirty South'
Nearly 20 years ago, genre-bending Southern rock outfit Drive-By Truckers got their first shot of mainstream success with an intriguing concept album called The Dirty South. Now, the group is revisiting that release on The Complete Dirty South. It's a release that frontman Patterson Hood is deeming a "director's cut" of the original work, featuring an expanded, altered track list and a few songs that are remixed, featuring new vocals or both. (All tracks have been remastered by Greg
It's Raining Discs: SoulMusic Promises Tons O' Fun with Weather Girls/Martha Wash Collection
According to our forecast, SoulMusic Records has got an incredible opportunity to soak up two of the most unique singers of the '80s: the dance duo The Weather Girls! Carry On: The Deluxe Collection 1982-1992 is a long-overdue assessment of Martha Wash and Izora Armstead's unlikely journey toward the top of the pop charts, some fascinating music that came before it - and a triumphant second act by Wash following some truly bizarre situations that only could have happened in the music
Rated X: Second Disc, Real Gone Expose "The Flasher" With First-Ever Reissue of Psych-Rock Rarity from Pool-Pah, Rupert Holmes
1973: the sexual revolution was on, streaking was taking college campuses by storm, and Deep Throat was edging pornography ever closer to the mainstream. Against this backdrop, a talented New York band with the unlikely moniker of Pool-Pah teamed up with up-and-coming singer-songwriter, musician, and arranger Rupert Holmes to write and record an unforgettably far-out soundtrack blending rock, psychedelia, jazz, prog, pop, and electronica. It had to be heard to be believed...and far too few