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
The Weekend Stream: June 25, 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 discover! This week we've got continuing celebrations of Bob Marley and Roger Miller, a lost country trailblazer, a rare early classic from a turn-of-the-millennium hip-hop hero, and Cyndi Lauper singing for a cause. Bob Marley & The Wailers, Exodus (2022 Deluxe Edition) (Tuff Gong/Island/UMe) (iTunes / Amazon) The
The Weekend Stream: June 11, 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 discover! From buckets of EPs by Portishead and the Black Crowes to a deep dive on Judy Garland, you'll find much to listen to and love. Judy Garland, Recordings from the M-G-M Films (Motion Picture Soundtrack Anthology) (WaterTower) (Apple Music / Amazon) There's plenty of celebrating the late, great Judy Garland's
The Weekend Stream: May 21, 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 discover! Some classic compilations, a Who-related soundtrack and a posthumous Notorious B.I.G. appearance are all part of the experience this week. Various Artists, The Sound of the R&B Hits (Motown) Original: iTunes / Amazon Deluxe: iTunes / Amazon As a new wave of British rockers from The Beatles and The
The Weekend Stream: May 14, 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 discover! Millennial nostalgia is all over this week's releases - plus some live jazz and pop as well as a real rarity from a disco diva. Linkin Park, Minutes to Midnight (Deluxe Edition) (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) In 2007, nu-metal rockers Linkin Park broadened their sound with the help of producer Rick Rubin and
The Weekend Stream: April 23, 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 discover! Return from your Record Store Day binge and kick back with some exciting finds, from charity rarities to new mixes of old favorites and even a surprising soundtrack find or two! Various Artists, EarthPercent Earth Day Initiative (Bandcamp) Though Bandcamp Friday is back in two weeks, the beloved digital service
The Weekend Stream: April 16, 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 discover! Ben Folds, It's the Small Things, Charlie Brown (Apple TV+ Original Soundtrack) (Peanuts Productions) (iTunes) Ben Folds has been sort of quiet lately. While the piano-pounding alt-rocker has been livestreaming and podcasting along with being an advocate for orchestras in recent years, he's only released a
The Weekend Stream: April 9, 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 discover! And after a week away, you better believe we're coming in hot! Billy Joel, 50 Years of the Piano Man (Columbia/Legacy) (Apple Music / Amazon) On the surface, this 50-track digital compilation-cum-playlist looks like a typical algorithmic survey of Joel's five-decade career, with all the great radio hits rising to
The Weekend Stream: March 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 discover! Georgia Satellites, Lightnin' in a Bottle: The Official Live Album (Cleveland International/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Recorded at Cleveland club Peabody's at the end of 1988 - two years after their only hit, the No. 2 smash "Keep Your Hands to Yourself," had fallen off the charts - this blistering set showcases
Robotronik: Kraftwerk Collect Remixes for New CD, Vinyl Set
Over a career spanning 50 years, Kraftwerk have influenced artists from David Bowie to Depeche Mode. The pioneers of electronic music and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have long been at the vanguard of innovation in music, and continue to perform and tour today. Hip-hop/electro progenitors Afrika Bambaataa and The Soul Sonic Force incorporated the German band's music into their 1982 hit "Planet Rock," beginning a long relationship between Kraftwerk and club/DJ culture. Late in 2020, Kraftwerk
The Weekend Stream: February 26, 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 discover! This week's got plenty of remixes, from New Wave to soul - plus some novelty hip-hop that'll offer a much-needed laugh or two. Depeche Mode, A Broken Frame | The 12" Singles (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Last week, Rhino made the 12" singles set devoted to Depeche Mode's debut digitally available, and
The Weekend Stream: February 19, 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 discover! This week we've got Depeche Mode on vinyl...er, digital, Roxette in Spanish and Shel Silverstein in rare form. Depeche Mode, Speak & Spell | The 12" Singles (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Issued in 2018 as the first of nine (and counting) box sets featuring 12" replicas of every Depeche Mode single from a
America, Chicago, Grateful Dead, Joni Mitchell, Doors, Ramones, More Featured on Rhino's Record Store Day Lineup
Rhino is bringing out the heavy hitters for its Record Store Day lineup of releases, all of which are due on Saturday, April 23 at independent record stores everywhere. We've already filled you in on the pair of David Bowie titles coming to both CD and LP, but Rhino also has vinyl offerings from music legends including Joni Mitchell, Madonna, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, and The Everly Brothers as well as such beloved bands as America, Bad Company, Blur, Chicago, The Doors, Grateful Dead,
Total Conditioning: Two Howard Jones Remix Albums Reissued by Cherry Red
Cherry Red continues their ongoing excavation of the Howard Jones catalogue with a new set that collects two remix albums from the mid-'80s: one a special early part of his discography, and one a treasured rarity for Japanese collectors. The label will issue a 2CD set on March 18 featuring the contents of The 12" Album and 12"ers Vol. 2, which collected a plurality of mixes, some B-sides and the odd unique track from the Human's Lib and Dream Into Action albums. 1984's The 12" Album featured
The Weekend Stream: January 22, 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 discover! A quick week brings us a great latter-day Hall & Oates track, a classic Lil Wayne mixtape, unreleased gems from The Art of Noise and more. Daryl Hall & John Oates, "Romeo is Bleeding" (U-Watch/BMG Rights Management (U.K.)) (iTunes / Amazon / Spotify) It's been 50 years since the world's bestselling duo
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
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
The Weekend Stream: December 11, 2021
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 discover! This week offers a fistful of digital deluxe editions, expansions on holiday favorites, and at least one Bond theme in the mix. Tina Turner, GoldenEye (Parlophone) (iTunes / Amazon / Spotify) If you're still riding high off the excellent latest James Bond film No Time to Die, released a few months ago, you