Seven decades ago, the mighty Godzilla first rose from the sea to become one of Japanese film’s most legendary characters. This summer, with interest in the character still at an all-time high, Universal Music Group’s Japanese arm will reissue nearly two dozen classic soundtracks from the film series. UMG will newly remaster and repress on SHM-CD the scores to the 15 Shōwa-era Godzilla films released between 1954 and 1975, as well as the seven Heisei-era pictures which came out between 1984 and 1995, as part of the series’ 70th anniversary “Complete Works” campaign….
For Seiji: John Williams’ 2023 Tokyo Concert is Latest Live Album from The Maestro
John Williams’ latest overseas trip will form another new album from the celebrated composer. John Williams in Tokyo, recorded in 2023 with the Saito Kinen Orchestra and featuring a very special tribute to one of the country’s most beloved conductors, will be released May 10 by Deutsche Grammophon on multiple formats including standard CD and vinyl and a deluxe 2CD/Blu-ray set. An arguable highlight of Williams’ continued tenure as film score’s elder statesman is his semi-annual trip outside the U.S. to take the baton with a celebrated foreign orchestra. The tradition began in…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Seal: Deluxe Edition
2CD/Blu-ray: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Available as a 2CD/Blu-ray or 2LP set, Seal (known colloquially but unofficially as Seal II, to differentiate from his self-titled debut from three years earlier) will include the newly remastered original album plus a bonus disc of unreleased alternate versions of the album’s biggest hits and most treasured songs, plus rare non-LP material like the Japan-only single “Love is Powerful” and covers of Jimi Hendrix (“Manic Depression,” “The Wind Cries Mary”) and The Steve Miller Band (Seal’s hit version of “Fly Like An Eagle,” included on the…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Weekend Stream: April 21, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s super-sized post-Record Store Day lineup includes more: more remixes, more covers, more Mancini and yes, more Taylor Swift. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology (Republic) (iTunes / Amazon) Can you really call this a reissue? Pop’s most ubiquitous A-lister whipped fans into a frenzy by announcing her 11th studio album shortly before picking up her fourth Grammy Award for…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Second Disc’s Guide to Record Store Day 2024: Our Essential Picks
Tomorrow, Record Store Day is once again upon us! It’s that time of year 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). This year, the list tops out at over 350 titles, so there’s very nearly something for everybody. It wasn’t easy to narrow our choices down to around 20 titles, but here…
A Light Hits the Gloom on the Grey: Seal’s Second Album Set for Deluxe Release
“There is so much a man can tell you / so much he can say…” Seal will be saying a little more with the help of Rhino, who will issue a new deluxe edition of his second album on June 14. Available as a 2CD/Blu-ray or 2LP set, Seal (known colloquially but unofficially as Seal II, to differentiate from his self-titled debut from three years earlier) will include the newly remastered original album plus a bonus disc of unreleased alternate versions of the album’s biggest hits and most treasured songs, plus rare non-LP material like…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Weekend Stream: April 6, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s lineup includes a rare Prince B-side, classic remixes by U2, a country icon taking on a rock legend and much more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prince, “United States of Division” (NPG/Legacy) (iTunes / Amazon) Late March marked the 20th anniversary of 2004’s Musicology, Prince’s first Top 10 album in nine years (thanks to a combination one-off deal with Columbia Records, an…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Weekend Stream: March 30, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s lineup includes features a country-pop legend, film soundtrack royalty, and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Brenda Lee, The International Brenda Lee (Brenda Lee Sings in German, French and Italian) (UMG Nashville/UMe) (iTunes / Amazon) Bear Family’s 1992 collection featuring Brenda’s songs in German, French, and Italian has hit streaming and download; tracks include versions in all three languages of “Anybody But Me” and…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Soundtrack Watch: Intrada Premieres Horner’s First Score, BSX Re-Presses American ‘Godzilla’
A key premiere from one of the most popular composers in recent memory and a fan favorite score to a divisive blockbuster are among the newest catalogue film score titles released this month. The estate of the late James Horner (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Aliens, Braveheart, Titanic, Avatar) has made a considerable push in recent years to unlock many of his rarer film scores from the studio vaults. Their latest collaboration with Intrada is one of the most notable yet: Horner’s short but pivotal work on the 1979 drama The Lady in Red…
In Memoriam: Eric Carmen (1949-2024)
Here at The Second Disc, we’re shocked and saddened by the passing of Eric Carmen at the age of 74. With The Raspberries and such indelible songs as “Go All the Way,” “Let’s Pretend,” and “I Wanna Be with You,” Carmen gave powerful voice to young love and lust; as a solo artist, he brought classical flourishes to the pop chart with “All by Myself” and “Never Gonna Fall in Love Again.” He went on to define the ‘80s as much as he had the ’70s with such enduring hits as “Hungry…
The Weekend Stream: March 9, 2024
Welcome to another edition of The Weekend Stream, The Second Disc’s review of notable catalogue titles (and some new ones, too!) making digital debuts. This week’s lineup includes a solo rarity from a beloved songwriter; remixes from a legendary diva; and more! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Madonna, I’ll Remember EP (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) Madonna’s 1994 hit ballad from the film With Honors, co-written with Richard Page and Patrick Leonard, anchors this new-to-digital EP featuring the original version, four period remixes, and “Why’s It So Hard (Live…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
The Need for Speed: La-La Land Debuts Harold Faltermeyer’s Score to ‘Top Gun’
La-La Land Records continues its hot streak with an expanded score and soundtrack release of one of the biggest blockbusters of the ’80s: Harold Faltermeyer’s score to the 1986 action classic Top Gun. The 2CD set, limited to 5000 copies, features Faltermeyer’s complete, electronic-infused score to Tony Scott’s film about a squadron of Navy pilots training in an elite program colloquially known as – you guessed it – Top Gun. Tom Cruise stars as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a talented but reckless pilot who must learn honor and responsibility alongside his instructor-turned-love interestCharlie Blackwood (Kelly…
Best of Bruce Springsteen
CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP Black Vinyl: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2LP Red Vinyl: Amazon U.S. The simply-titled Best of Bruce Springsteen arrives with 18 tracks on CD and LP and 31 on digital formats. The concept is straightforward, bringing together hits and favorites from 1973’s Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ through 2020’s Letter to You. Each of The Boss’ studio albums from that span is represented on the CD/LP other than 1992’s Lucky Town, 2005’s Devils and Dust, 2006’s We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions, 2009’s Working on a Dream, 2012’s Wrecking Ball,…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Living Proof: Bruce Springsteen to Release New Career-Spanning ‘Best Of’
In late 2021, Sony Music announced the acquisition of Bruce Springsteen’s entire recorded music and songwriting catalogues in a deal valued by The New York Times as an estimated $550 million. Since then, The Boss has released one new studio album (2022’s Only the Strong Survive, reported to be the first volume in a series of R&B covers albums) but no archival projects have emerged. On April 19, Sony will release the first domestic “best-of” compilation for the artist since 2009’s Greatest Hits. (A separate project, Collection: 1973-2012, was issued in 2013…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
RSD Round-Up: Spotlight on Omnivore, Iconoclassic, Friday Music, Dark Horse, Light in the Attic, and More
Our look at this year’s Record Store Day releases continues with a look at the lineups from Omnivore Recordings, Iconoclassic Records, Friday Music, Light in the Attic, and more of our favorite labels! All titles here are due on April 20, and all descriptions are taken directly from the labels. If you are interested in any of these titles, they will be available at your local record store on April 20. Head over to recordstoreday.com for a list of participating retailers. U.K. readers, please visit recordstoreday.co.uk and Canadian readers, please visit recordstoredaycanada.ca. Watch this space close to…
Categories:
Genres:
Soundtrack Watch: Varese Gives Hell and Fire with Latest CD Club Titles
Varese Sarabande’s two newest limited edition CD Club titles will set score lovers afire, in more ways than one. First up, the label finishes their expansions of John Powell’s beloved scores to the animated How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. Based on the children’s books of the same name, the DreamWorks-produced series told the story of a misfit Viking named Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) who learns to lead the island of Berk – like his father before him – with the help of a dragon named Toothless. The series earned acclaim for…
What’s Love Got to Do with It (30th Anniversary Edition)
4CD/DVD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 2CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada 1LP: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada Just months after the career-spanning compilation The Queen of Rock and Roll, Parlophone and Rhino will reissue another one of the late Queen’s classic albums in several deluxe formats: 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It. The companion album to the biopic of the same name, the 4CD/1DVD set will include the remastered original album – including two tracks left off U.S. pressings – along with a bonus disc of remixes and rarities, including an unreleased single edit of Tina’s…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do: Craft Recordings’ RSD Slate Includes Collective Soul, Bill Evans, “Reel Cult” Soundtrack Series Launch, More
Today, we continue our ongoing look at this year’s massive Record Store Day list with a spotlight on the releases coming from Craft Recordings. All descriptions are taken directly from the label. If you are interested in any of these titles, they will be available at your local record store on April 20. Head over to recordstoreday.com for a list of participating retailers. U.K. readers, please visit recordstoreday.co.uk and Canadian readers, please visit recordstoredaycanada.ca. Craft continues its commitment to classic jazz, launches the new Reel Cult soundtrack series from soundtrack specialists Varese Sarabande, and touches on…
Many States of Independence: Demon Unveils RSD List with Donna Summer, Yardbirds, Lulu, Average White Band, More
As the week unfolds, we’ll be continuing our ongoing look at this year’s massive Record Store Day list. Here is a glance at all of the releases coming from Demon Music Group. All descriptions are taken directly from the label. If you are interested in any of these titles, they will be available at your local record store on April 20. Head over to recordstoreday.com for a list of participating retailers. U.K. readers, please visit recordstoreday.co.uk and Canadian readers, please visit recordstoredaycanada.ca. All titles on Demon’s list are available in the U.K.; please see notes on…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Dawned on Me: Legacy’s Record Store Day Lineup Features Wilco, Willie Nelson, Nas, G. Love and Special Sauce, “Spawn,” More
Continuing our ongoing look at this year’s massive Record Store Day list, here is a glance at all six releases from Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings label. All descriptions are taken directly from Legacy. If you are interested in any of these titles, they will be available at your local record store on April 20. Head over to recordstoreday.com for a list of participating retailers. U.K. readers, please visit recordstoreday.co.uk and Canadian readers, please visit recordstoredaycanada.ca. Bare Jr., Boo-Tay (2LP – First Time on Vinyl) “We are southern, we are rock, but we aren’t Southern Rock.” –…
Release Round-Up: Week of February 16
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today! As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Melanie, One Night Only: The Eagle Mountain House (Cleopatra) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) This 1984 concert recorded at The Eagle Mountain house in Jackson, New Hampshire features some of the late singer-songwriter‘s classics including “Brand New Key,” “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain),” and “Look What They’ve Done to My Song, Ma.” Dave Thompson provides the liner notes. Also available in truncated “highlights” form…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Rhino’s Record Store Day Lineup Features Doors, Talking Heads, Faces, Todd Rundgren, Linda Ronstadt, Four Seasons, Dio, More
It’s that time of year again! Record Store Day announcements are coming fast and furious in anticipation of the big day, Saturday, April 20. As usual, Rhino’s slate is a packed one, with a whopping 39 titles including releases from The Doors and Dwight Yoakam on CD as well as vinyl. Click here for a list of participating independent record stores. All descriptions below are provided by the label. (*) denotes worldwide units. AIR – Kelly Watch the Stars Limited Edition of 5,500* copies; 12″ picture disc Captain Beefheart & His Magic…
Categories:
Genres:
The Kind You Make Your Wishes On: Tina Turner’s ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ Gets Box Set from Rhino
Rhino’s celebration of Tina Turner knows no limits! Just months after the career-spanning compilation The Queen of Rock and Roll, the label will reissue another one of her classic albums in several deluxe formats: 1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It. The companion album to the biopic of the same name, the 4CD/1DVD set (available April 26) will include the remastered original album – including two tracks left off U.S. pressings – along with a bonus disc of remixes and rarities, including an unreleased single edit of Tina’s cover of The Trammps’ “Disco…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
Soundtrack Watch: Intrada’s ‘Inchon’ Re-Introduction, La-La Land’s Next ‘Trek’
La-La Land and Intrada are reaching into their archives for a pair of new releases out this month. Coming from La-La Land is the fourth entry of Star Trek: The Original Series – The 1701 Collection, a series of six volumes drawn from 2012’s box set of music from the iconic television show. This 2CD set features music from seven episodes released in 1968 and 1969, as scored by original series theme composer Alexander Courage, along with music by Jerry Fielding, Gerald Fried and Ivan Ditmars. As with previous volumes, the audio…
Release Round-Up: Week of February 2
Welcome to this week’s Release Round-Up, featuring a selection of the new titles available today. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Andy Williams, When You Fall in Love: Lost Columbia Masters 1977-1982 (Real Gone Music) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada) When You Fall in Love: Lost Columbia Masters 1977-1982 rounds up eighteen rarities from the late, great Andy Williams. Over a dozen never-before-heard recordings premiere here which teamed Andy with producers, songwriters, and arrangers including Steve Dorff, Paul Vance, Kerry Chater, Bob Esty, Bill Justis, Gene Page, Dick Glasser, Robby Adcock, and Steve Popovich…
Categories:
Formats:
Genres:
