Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. From classic rocker comebacks to '90s nostalgia and more - we've got the goods to set you up for these days off. Bruce Springsteen, Addicted to Romance (Columbia) (iTunes / Amazon) While he's postponed the rest of this year's tour due to a battle with peptic ulcers, Bruce Springsteen had time this
Release Round-Up: Week of September 29
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! The Spinners, Ain't No Price on Happiness: The Thom Bell Studio Recordings (1972-1979) (SoulMusic/Cherry Red) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) Earlier this year, Second Disc Records and Real Gone Music celebrated the extraordinary legacy of The Spinners with the release of The Complete Atlantic Singles: The Thom Bell Productions 1972-1979, collecting a whopping 43 single sides
The Weekend Stream: September 23, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. Enjoy a hometown birthday present from The Boss and a holiday collection first put on CD by The Second Disc - plus remixes from Madonna and The Art of Noise and so much more - all in this week's latest round-up. Bruce Springsteen, The Live Series: Songs of New Jersey (Columbia/Legacy) (Apple Music /
True Faith: New Order's Classic Compilation 'Substance 1987' Gets Expanded
Style over Substance? New Order offered both on their unforgettable 1987 compilation - and it's getting expanded as a 4CD set this fall. The newly-remastered Substance 1987 collects once more a dozen classic sides from the British electronic band, from 1981's ceremony to the then-new "True Faith" as well as exclusive updates of "Temptation" and "Confusion." The double vinyl is pressed on black or retail-exclusive red and blue discs, while the 2CD and double cassette (the latter exclusive to
The Weekend Stream: September 2, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. It's a full '80s revival this week, including a rare Duran Duran track and some live cuts from Squeeze,and - whether you're ready for it or not - a batch of Christmas catalogue titles. Duran Duran, Ball and Chain (Tape Modern/BMG) (iTunes / Amazon) Duran Duran are back in a big way this fall, set
And That's Not Nearly All: Soft Cell's 'Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret' Goes Massive for Box Set Season
Marc Almond's Tenement Symphony isn't the only title involving the U.K. synthpop singer going deluxe this year. On October 20, UMR will give you all a boy could give you with a massive deluxe edition of Soft Cell's breakthrough debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret. The 6CD box set, housed in a 10" x 10" box, presents the beloved New Wave classic alongside a treasure trove of B-sides, remixes, live cuts, demos and other audio curiosities. Of the set's 98 tracks, 40 of them are previously
Feel Every Beat: Electronic Add Rarities to 'Get the Message' Collection
Rhino will next month urge fans to "get the message" by reissuing and expanding their collection devoted to British dance-pop supergroup Electronic. Get the Message: The Best of Electronic, originally released in 2006, will be revisited as a new double-vinyl pressing or a 2CD edition pairing the original 15-track compilation alongside another 15 rare remixes and B-sides. The acclaimed sound of the group was almost tailor-made to surprise fans who came across early U.K. hits like "Getting Away
Send Out the Clowns: Real Gone, Second Disc Revisit "Music to Freak Your Friends and Break Your Lease" In Time for Halloween
Tired of "Monster Mash"? Through with calling "Ghostbusters"? If your Halloween playlist is begging for something different, Real Gone Music and Second Disc Records have you covered! On October 6, you can look no further than the frightfully fun Music to Freak Your Friends and Break Your Lease. Don't believe us? Take The Bride of Frankenstein's word for it - she's on the cover! One of the most unusual records of all time, this "Symphony for Tape Delay, IBM Instruction Manual, & Ohm
The Mother They Share: CHVRCHES Revisit Debut for 10th Anniversary
CHVRCHES have really had some moments in the last few years. The Scottish electronic trio has toured relentlessly, working up enough presence to secure a new deal away from longtime indie home Glassnote, signing to Island Records in 2022. And the band are celebrating with a well-earned rest: frontwoman Lauren Mayberry is releasing her first solo music and supporting it with a tour this fall. But CHVRCHES proper is all about celebration this season, specifically the 10th anniversary of their
The Weekend Stream: August 5, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. From New Age to New Wave to creepy sound effects, children of famous songwriters and a whole lot more, there's a lot to enjoy. ABC, The Lexicon of Love (Steven Wilson Stereo and Instrumental Remixes) (Mercury/UMC) (iTunes / Amazon) The 40th anniversary vinyl box of The Lexicon of Love is finally
The Weekend Stream: July 29, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. Big things happening in this column: two big box sets from a legendary prog-turned-pop outfit, rare mixes from one of pop's most legendary performers, tons of remixes from a soulful producer/performer and 200(!) classical titles from a legendary British label. Whew! Genesis, Archive #1 (1969 - 1975) /
Now You've Captured Me: Howard Jones Celebrates 40 Years with New Collection
Since 2017, Howard Jones has worked with Cherry Red to distribute his classic Warner-era back catalogue spanning 1983 to 1993. This fall, they'll be the ones to release a lavish new multi-format collection commemorating his 40 years as a recording artist. Celebrate It Together: The Very Best of Howard Jones 1983-2023 brings together Jones' unforgettable synth-driven hits like "New Song," "Things Can Only Get Better," "No One is to Blame," "Everlasting Love" and many more, alongside the
The Weekend Stream: July 2, 2023
Welcome to The Weekend Stream, a relaxing review of notable digital-only catalogue titles. There may be no CD or vinyl, but there's plenty of great new/old music to float you into the weekend. This week brings an R.E.M. classic given new life by a hit TV show, another side of one of Motown's sultriest crooners, two Prince-related artists gone solo, dance grooves from Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul and an early version of one of the greatest epic film scores of the '50s. R.E.M., Strange
Release Round-Up: Week of May 12
Welcome to this week's Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! Daft Punk, Random Access Memories: 10th Anniversary Edition (Columbia) 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 3LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Daft Punk's final album, 2013's disco-flavored, multiple Grammy-winning Random Access Memories, welcomed such all-time luminaries as Nile Rodgers, Paul Williams, Giorgio Moroder, Paul Jackson, Jr., Nathan East, John "J.R."
The Message is Love: Demon Preps Box Set of Arthur Baker Remixes
Demon Music Group scored a real coup in 2021 with the release of Dance Masters: Shep Pettibone (The Classic Master Mixes), a box set devoted to the stellar late '80s and early '90s remixer. The branding on the set indicated that Dance Masters was to be a series, presented by another remixing great: American DJ/producer Arthur Baker. Now, two years later, another Dance Masters set is forthcoming, focused on the work of Baker himself. Dance Masters: Arthur Baker (The Classic Dance Remixes), due
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
Love Comes Quickly: Pet Shop Boys Collect 35 Years of Singles on "Smash"
Pet Shop Boys are looking back on 35 years of music with a newly remastered singles collection to be released on June 16 in a variety of formats. Synthpop duo Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe released their debut single in 1984 with "West End Girls." The strikingly original song melding catchy pop and irresistible dance rhythms was generally well-received but Tennant and Lowe suspected it hadn't met its full potential. The following year, they re-recorded a new version with producer Stephen Hague
Tease Me: Iconoclassic Premieres, Expands Junie Morrison's "Evacuate Your Seats" on CD
Evacuate Your Seats! Walter "Junie" Morrison's 1984 album found the veteran of Ohio Players and Parliament-Funkadelic digging deep into techno-funk sounds with his own singular sensibility. The original credits proclaimed that Morrison produced, performed, wrote, and directed the album - and indeed, Morrison was a one-band man save for the engineers joining him in the studio. Now, his funky tour de force is coming to CD from Iconoclassic Records. On March 24, the label will release a newly
Threat of Love: Cherry Red, SFE Expand Marc Almond's "Open All Night"
Cherry Red is continuing its longtime association with singer-songwriter Marc Almond on a new, deluxe 3-CD edition of his 1999 album Open All Night. While not his most commercially successful record, it remains one of his most beloved for its compelling blend of the many styles that informed his music. This new release, on Cherry Red's SFE imprint, expands the original LP with demos, alternate versions, live tracks, and more. SFE previously reissued Open All Night as a 2-CD set in 2010; this
The Weekend Stream: February 25, 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. A veritable bonanza of titles feature an expanded album by Sting, two classic Madonna 12"s, a George Michael-produced rarity, a first-time duet by a country legend and a soul icon, a new recording of a late-period classic from Hollywood's most famed composer, and so much more! Sting, Ten
Get Lucky: Daft Punk Unearth Unheard 'Memories' for Reissue of Final Album
Fans of French electronic duo Daft Punk may have been shocked when the group suddenly announced their dissolution at the start of 2021. But the robots haven't really powered down: a year later, they digitally expanded debut album Homework for its 25th anniversary, compiled an album of remixes from the era, and even showed off some limited, never-before-seen footage from an early concert following Homework's release (which shockingly showed members Guy-Manuel de Homem Christo and Thomas Bangalter
The Weekend Stream: February 11, 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. Today sees digital expansions from Jan Berry, Brian McKnight and Weezer; new songs from The Guess Who and a member of Jellyfish - plus a great way to provide aid in the face of the week's biggest natural disaster. Brian McKnight, Anytime (Deluxe Edition) (Motown/UMe) (iTunes / Amazon) Soulful
Stolen Secrets: Quartet Expands Harold Faltermeyer's "Thief of Hearts," Includes Melissa Manchester Songs
Hot on the heels of such releases as Ron Goodwin and Henry Mancini's scores to Frenzy and John Barry's to Mary, Queen of Scots, the Quartet Records label is turning its attention to an eighties score from a modern master. Quartet is now shipping the first-ever complete, 2-CD edition of Harold Faltermeyer's score to 1984's thriller Thief of Hearts, featuring all the cues composed by Faltermeyer for the film as well as the remastered, original Casablanca Records soundtrack album complete with
The Weekend Stream: November 12, 2022
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. This week features a new version of a pop legend's most recent compilation, great proto-Motown soul, an expanded version of Robert Glasper's breakout album, Bon Jovi in Spanish(?) and a heap of early Christmas gifts. Check it out! Elton John, Diamonds (Deluxe) (Virgin/EMI) (iTunes /
As You Walk on By: New Box Celebrates the Music of John Hughes Films
A wise philosopher...or maybe a punk kid...or maybe an astute screenwriter?...once wrote "Life moves pretty fast - if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." A new box set devoted to that iconic filmmaker - the late John Hughes - will help fans enjoy some of that life a little more through a diverse collection of pop songs he helped bring to the masses. Life Moves Pretty Fast. The John Hughes Mixtapes offers four volumes of songs from the writer/director's popular