The Notorious B.I.G. - born Christopher Wallace on May 21, 1972 - would have celebrated his 50th birthday this year. Though the groundbreaking rapper was murdered at the age of 24 in March 1997, his estate is teaming with Bad Boy, Rhino, and Atlantic Records to remember him with a yearlong campaign known as Sky's The Limit: A Year Celebrating the Legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. launching on March 25. While the campaign will encompass digital releases, 4K upgrades of his music videos on YouTube,
Always on My Mind: Vinyl Me, Please Announces "VMP Anthology: The Story of Willie Nelson"
On April 29, Willie Nelson will turn 89 years old. The rare artist for whom "legend" isn't just mere hyperbole, Nelson's extraordinary career has spanned eight decades, over 70 studio albums, dozens of singles, film soundtracks, live releases, and more. The Vinyl Me, Please record club has just announced VMP Anthology: The Story of Willie Nelson to mark 60 years since his first studio LP, 1962's ...And Then I Wrote. Its title reflected the fact that the album would feature a number of hits
Totally Kool: First Dozen Kool & The Gang Albums Boxed by Edsel
For more than a half century, Kool & The Gang have been synonymous with a special, ever-changing kind of soul music - blending rhythm and blues, disco, jazz and funk, with a few decades of hits as a result. Edsel will celebrate Kool's legacy with a series of box sets starting with The Albums Vol. 1, a 13CD set including the group's studio and live output from the majority of their time together during the '70s. Formed by a troupe of high school friends in Jersey City, NJ (including
Release Round-Up: Week of March 18
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the titles arriving in stores today! Frank Zappa, The Mothers 1971 / Fillmore East - June 1971: 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition / Rainbow Theatre - December 10, 1971 (Zappa Records/UMe) The Mothers 1971: Official Zappa Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Fillmore East - June 1971: 50th Anniversary Expanded Edition: Official Zappa Store / Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Rainbow Theatre -
Take This Heart: Anthony Phillips Collects Solo Rarities, Genesis Demos, Musical Scores on "Archive Collection" Box Set
Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings imprint has had a long relationship with composer and founding Genesis lead guitarist Anthony Phillips encompassing reissues of various solo albums as well as his Private Parts and Pieces compilation series. Earlier this year, Esoteric turned its attention to another collection drawn from Phillips' prodigious vaults: the 5-CD box set Archive Collection Volume 1 & Volume 2. Phillips' Archive Collection had its antecedent in Private Parts and Pieces (which
Vinyl Me, Please Releases Lavish "Story of Philadelphia International Records" Anthology
The legacy of Philadelphia International Records is as mighty as the famous three men most associated with the label: co-founders and songwriter-producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff and songwriter-producer-conductor-arranger Thom Bell. The three men didn't do it alone, though; the PIR story involves the dozens of talented artists, musicians, songwriters, producers, and arrangers who passed through the doors of engineer Joe Tarsia's Sigma Sound Studios on North 12th Street in Philadelphia,
UPDATE - Glory of Love: Cherry Pop's Expansive Peter Cetera Box Arrives
UPDATED 3/1/22: As one of the seven members of Chicago as featured on their 1969 debut album Chicago Transit Authority, bassist-singer Peter Cetera's soaring tenor became an integral component of the band's sound on such hits as "25 or 6 to 4," "Feelin' Stronger Every Day," "Just You 'n' Me," and "(I've Been) Searching So Long." When his own composition "If You Leave Me Now" became Chicago's first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 - not to mention in international territories such as Canada,
Years of the Cat: Madfish Collects Complete Al Stewart on Massive 50-CD Box Set
2022 just might turn out to be the Year of the Cat if Madfish Music has anything to do with it. On June 3, the U.K. label will release a massive, 50-CD box set anthologizing the career of celebrated singer-songwriter Al Stewart. The Admiralty Lights: Complete Studio, Live, and Rare 1964-2009 spans five decades of the artist behind "Year of the Cat," "Time Passages," "Midnight Rocks," "Bedsitter Images," and "Nostradamus" via his complete released live and studio recordings and over 300
Release Round-Up: Week of February 18
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up! Pink Floyd, PULSE: Restored and Re-Edited (Pink Floyd Records/Sony) 2 Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2 DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada PULSE, originally released in 1995, chronicled Pink Floyd's Division Bell Tour of Europe. The video release was taken from a performance at Earls Court in London on October 20, 1994. There, Pink Floyd (then comprised of founding members David Gilmour on vocals and guitar,
It's About That Time: Cherry Red, Esoteric Expand Jazz-Rock Debut by Affinity
The band known as Affinity only released one album but the 1970 release on Philips' Vertigo imprint has long been a favorite of crate-diggers for Linda Hoyle's distinctively powerful voice, Lynton Naiff's Hammond B3, Mike Jopp's guitar, Mo Foster's bass, and Grant Serpell's drums and percussion. The quintet came together in an era where jazz-rock thrived, stretching out their songs and adding brass and string accents for an extra punch. Late last year, Cherry Red's Esoteric Recordings imprint
Review: The Replacements, "Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash: Deluxe Edition"
Everything about The Replacements' debut was fast and furious. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, first released in 1981 on the Twin/Tone label, introduced eighteen rip-roaring nuggets primarily from the pen of Paul Westerberg. More than half were under two minutes long, and only two cracked the three-minute mark. While the lyrics were filled with aggression and the spirit of youthful rebellion, they weren't devoid of self-aware humor. And though the sound was primal, abrasive, and
Solid Gold Easy Action: New T. Rex Box Chronicles Marc Bolan's Work in 1972
1972 was a banner year for T. Rex's Marc Bolan. The glam rock pioneer was riding high thanks to the success of 1971's chart-topping Electric Warrior and its hit singles "Get It On" and "Jeepster," and would continue his streak of hits with The Slider (No. 4 in the U.K.) and two more No. 1s, "Metal Guru" and "Telegram Sam." Before the year was out, T. Rex would play in both the U.S. and U.K., appear regularly on the BBC, and star in the concert film Born to Boogie produced and directed by Ringo
Wicked As It Seems: Keith Richards Reissues "Main Offender" for 30th Anniversary
BMG is continuing its ongoing reissue series from Keith Richards' solo catalogue on March 18 with a 30th anniversary edition of the Rolling Stone's 1992 LP Main Offender. The reissue follows BMG's similar expansions of Richards' solo debut Talk Is Cheap and the X-Pensive Winos' concert album Live at the Hollywood Palladium, and will be available in the following formats: 2CD/3LP Super Deluxe Edition; 2CD Mediabook; 1CD Standard Edition; 1LP Black or Limited Edition Red Vinyl;
Review: Frank Zappa, "200 Motels: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - 50th Anniversary Edition"
Frank Zappa called 200 Motels "a surrealistic documentary." Leonard Maltin described it as a "visual, aural assault disguised as a movie; completely berserk, freeform film...some of it ingenious, some funny, but not enough to maintain [an] entire film." Roger Ebert compared the surreal musical to the work of experimental composer Harry Partch before observing that it "assaults the mind with everything on hand...a full wall of sight-and-sound input." Zappa never wrote and directed another
Tears Began to Fall: New Box Set Chronicles Frank Zappa and The Mothers' 1971 Fillmore East Shows, Final London Concert
In a masterstroke of understatement, Frank Zappa and The Mothers proclaimed themselves to be Just Another Band from L.A. on a 1972 album of the same title. Of course, The Mothers were never just another band, but this particular iteration - featuring former Turtles vocalists Flo and Eddie (Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan) and bassist Jim Pons, drummer Aynsley Dunbar, keyboardist Don Preston, and multi-instrumentalist Ian Underwood - was one of the most memorable of the band's existence. This
Ride Me, Easy Rider: Cherry Red, Esoteric Collect Vinegar Joe's "Island Recordings" Featuring Robert Palmer, Elkie Brooks
Today, Vinegar Joe is best remembered for launching the careers of Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks. The band had risen from the ashes of a group called Dada intended by co-founder Pete Gage as "a combination of Mothers of Invention/Frank Zappa, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and The 5th Dimension. Power vocalists plus brass and crazy arrangements." But that heady brew was too much for Atlantic Records' Ahmet Ertegun who urged Dada to strip away the fusion elements and concentrate on blues and rock.
Soundtrack Watch: Varese, La-La Land, Intrada Kick Off 2022 with Killer Scores
The year has barely started, yet three beloved soundtrack reissue labels are bringing the heat to 2022's score reissue slate. Between a horror-packed box set from Varese Sarabande and a trio of expanded releases by James Horner, there's much cause for celebration. That is, if Varese doesn't kill you first! The label continues 25 years of superb scares with a new box set of soundtracks devoted to the horror franchise Scream. This zingy, gory picture, written by Kevin Williamson and directed
Review: David Bowie, "Brilliant Adventure [1992-2001]"
Putting on the black tie, cranking out the white noise... David Bowie wasn't one to look back. But when he announced Black Tie White Noise, many fans collectively breathed a sigh of relief. Might the "old" David Bowie be returning? The 1993 album was his first in six years, following three albums (two studio and one live) with his hard rock band, Tin Machine. It also reunited him with Nile Rodgers, producer of his all-time best-selling album Let's Dance, and with Ziggy Stardust-era
Release Round-Up: Week of January 7 - David Bowie Birthday Edition
Welcome to today's Release Round-Up! While the record biz at large isn't quite into the swing of things for 2022, today does bring two releases from the late David Bowie. Tomorrow, January 8, would have been the superstar artist's 75th birthday; while he passed away on January 10, 2016, his legacy continues to burn brightly. David Bowie, Toy:Box (ISO/Parlophone) 3CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 6 x 10": Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Available on 3 CDs or
Review: The Band, "Cahoots: 50th Anniversary Edition"
From the first seconds of the opening "Life Is a Carnival," it was clear that Cahoots was no ordinary album by The Band. The quintet's first three albums had established them as major proponents of the rootsy genre that would later be called "Americana." But now, the sound blasting from the speakers was one of sheer funk: simultaneously dark and joyful, aggressive yet inviting. In what might have been considered a heretical move by some, the group was bolstered by three saxophones, two
The Year In Review: The 2021 Gold Bonus Disc Awards, From A to Z - Part Two
Happy 2022! Welcome, friends, to Part Two of The Second Disc's 12th Annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards! Once again, we've all faced unprecedented challenges over the past twelve months. A year that began with hope and promise has ended with further uncertainty for many of us. But music continues to fill a significant role in our lives, providing solace, comfort, and escape in a time unlike any other. With that spirit in mind, The Second Disc wishes to recognize 2021's cream of the catalogue
The Year In Review: The 2021 Gold Bonus Disc Awards, From A to Z - Part One
Happy 2022! Welcome, friends, to The Second Disc's 12th Annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards! Once again, we've all faced unprecedented challenges over the past twelve months. A year that began with hope and promise has ended with further uncertainty for many of us. But music continues to fill a significant role in our lives, providing solace, comfort, and escape in a time unlike any other. With that spirit in mind, The Second Disc wishes to recognize 2021's cream of the catalogue music crop -
Have Yourself a Merry Little Discmas...
Wow! And just like that, another year has flown by. Just a few weeks before The Second Disc hits its 12th anniversary(!), this Christmas Eve it is our custom to look back on the last 12 months and take some time to think fondly of the music, magic, memories and friends that made our lives worth living. As if last year wasn't unconventional enough, 2021 packed more pop, clicks, skips and distortion than the most misguided vinyl pressings. We got vaccinated, we got boosted, we tentatively
Holiday Gift Guide Spotlight: Belinda Carlisle, "Live Your Life Be Free: 30th Anniversary Edition"
Following a well-received Go-Go's reunion in 1990, Belinda Carlisle returned to the studio to record her fourth studio album, Live Your Life Be Free. Likely the jaunt with her old bandmates inspired her, as the 1991 LP returned the singer to the sixties-inspired, girl-group milieu. Although Live Your Life failed to chart in the U.S., it hit the top ten in the U.K. and yielded four charting singles including the brisk and lusty "Do You Feel Like I Feel" which remains Carlisle's final U.S. hit
Holiday Gift Guide Review: The Doors, "L.A. Woman: 50th Anniversary Edition"
"Well, I've been down so goddamn long that it looks like up to me..." Jim Morrison knew of what he spoke. When The Doors entered Sunset Sound in November 1970 to record what would become their sixth studio album, L.A. Woman, the quartet was ready for a reboot. In September, Morrison had been convicted on profanity and indecent exposure charges related to a March 1969 concert in Miami. With an appeal in place, he was free on bail. But some radio stations had banned The Doors, and even concert
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