Originally formed by ex-Yardbirds Jim McCarty and Keith Relf, Renaissance underwent many line-up changes before they became the jazz-inspired progressive folk act that brought us the classic Ashes Are Burning. Featuring vocalist Annie Haslam, John Tout (keyboards, vocals), Jon Camp (bass, vocals), Terry Sullivan (drums, percussion) and Michael Dunfor on guitar, Ashes Are Burning was Renaissance’s breakthrough album. With classics like “Can You Understand,” “At The Harbour,” and the epic, Doctor Zhivago-quoting title track, the 1973 album established Renaissance as one of the finest of a growing group of progressive rockers. Now, Esoteric has…
Got a Special Interest: Utopia Singles Collection and Reissue of Zappa’s “200 Motels” On the Way From Pledge Music
In recent years, many artists have teamed up with Pledge Music to bring their music direct to consumers. From small, independent do-it-yourself productions, to massive reissue campaigns by major artists (Cat Stevens’ Back To Earth, for example), it’s become one of many emerging avenues for artists who want to get their projects out there. Now, two projects by two heroes of “weird” rock have been announced – one a compilation of singles tracks from Todd Rundgren’s Utopia, and the other a reissue of one of the strangest rock films of all time,…
Don’t Step On My Groove: Expanded Reissues of Bananarama’s “Drama” and “Viva” Arriving in January
There were few “girl groups” as prolific and successful during the MTV era as Bananarama. The London-formed pop group had a long string of Top 10 U.K. and U.S. singles during the ’80s, including “It Ain’t What You Do…,” “Really Saying Something,” “Shy Boy,” and covers of Steam’s “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” and The Shocking Blue’s “Venus.” Their popularity on the charts and on the dance floor continues, with the group tallying up an impressive 28 Top 50 U.K. singles from 1982 to 2009. Now, Cherry Red’s Strike Force…
Rhino “Starts Your Ear Off Right” with New Vinyl Exclusives from CSNY, Joni, Monkees, Buffalo Springfield, More
Rhino’s popular “Start Your Ear Off Right” vinyl reissue campaign is returning to local independent record stores and Barnes & Noble locations beginning next Tuesday, January 8, and continuing through Tuesday, January 29, with a new batch of limited (and often colorful) vinyl reissues arriving each week. Each group features an eclectic line-up drawn from the Rhino archives. January 8 will see compilations from Aretha Franklin, Alice Cooper, and The Monkees, as well as a 1978 post-punk classic from Television, while January 15 brings music from ZZ Top, CSNY, The Jimmy Rogers…
Real Gone To Release ‘Turn On, Tune In, Drop Out’ and ‘Mahoney’s Last Stand’ Soundtracks on Vinyl
In the last few months, Real Gone Music has announced a number of welcome reissues of soundtracks on LP. Next up in the series are two soundtracks to hard-to-find films, due out February 1: one by a countercultural hero and voice of experimentation, the other by a pair of Faces who explore a rural blend of folk-rock. Timothy Leary remains one of the legends of the sixties counterculture scene. He cashed in on the hippies’ sense of adventure and experimentation to become a spokesperson for LSD, in particular. In 1967, Leary, his partner…
Another Day In Paradise: Phil Collins Live Albums To Be Reissued in February
It’s been a busy few years for Phil Collins. Most recently, he wrapped up the U.S. leg of the successful Not Dead Yet Live! Tour. He released the recent compilation, Plays Well With Others, which saw him dipping into his archives to find his session appearances and collaborations. He also released The Singles and oversaw the remastering of his studio work with the “Take A Look At Me Now” reissue series. Now, the campaign continues with the February 1 release of two remastered live albums from Atlantic/Rhino: Serious Hits… Live! and A Hot Night In Paris. Serious…
The Year In Review – The 2018 Gold Bonus Disc Awards, From A to Z
Happy 2019 and welcome to The Second Disc’s 9th Annual Gold Bonus Disc Awards! It’s time once again to recognize this year’s cream of the crop – those exemplary reissues and box sets big and small that proved to be truly outstanding products for physical media lovers worldwide. There was no shortage of great reissue titles in 2018; in fact, we covered over 700 releases in all! And after much deliberation, we’re excited to unveil our favorites. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill Top 10, however. To cover as much ground and spotlight as…
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Sunny Day: Warner Licenses Sesame Street Catalog for Digital, Streaming, and Future Physical Reissues
Warner Music Group and Sesame Workshop have recently announced a joint effort that marks the relaunch of Sesame Street Records, the label that released over 60 classic originalSesame Street albums from 1970 to 1984. To celebrate 50 years since the program first aired, the extensive Sesame Street music catalog, including original titles and newer collections from Golden Music, Koch and Sony Wonder, has finally joined the streaming age. As of this writing, a whopping 119 titles–many previously unavailable in the digital domain–have been added to streaming services and digital download retailers. The effort is…
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Real Gone Prepares ‘Love Actually’ White Vinyl Reissue, Grateful Dead ‘Road Trips Vol. 3, No, 4’ 3-CD Set for January
As temperatures continue to drop here in the northeast where The Second Disc HQ is stationed, Real Gone Music have announced two reissues that will be good company on a day spent indoors. On January 25, the label will release a 2-LP white vinyl edition of the Love Actually soundtrack in its first-ever vinyl pressing, plus a 3-CD reissue of a hard-to-find Grateful Dead concert collection, Road Trips, Vol. 3, No. 4. With an endearing and clever plot featuring ten interlocking stories and star-studded cast of Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson, Keira Knightley, Colin Firth, Liam Neeson,…
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Things That Come Back Again: Cat Stevens “Back To Earth” Box Set and Vinyl Reissues Announced
“Cat Stevens super deluxe edition box set” — those are words that for years have been relegated to the “in my wildest dreams” wish list of super fans worldwide. But now, to the surprise of Cat enthusiasts everywhere, those words can soon be placed on your shopping list, as Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens), Cat-O-Log/BMG, and Pledge Music have announced an extensive reissue of his 1978 album Back To Earth. The title will be re-issued in an array of formats and bundles. Standard 1-CD and black vinyl editions are set to arrive on January…
Real Gone Music brings jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith’s 1973 debut on the Flying Dutchman label back to vinyl in a limited edition pressed on “blue eternity” vinyl and limited to 1,000 units.
Lonnie Liston Smith’s 1974 sophomore album on the Flying Dutchman label also gets the Real Gone Music treatment for a new vinyl pressing on gold vinyl, limited to 1,000 units.
Though Airrion Love and Herb Murrell of The Stylistics parted ways long ago with original lead singer Russell Thompkins, Jr., the duo have continued to make music under the Stylistics moniker. Now, Love and Murrell have released their most high-profile release since the split with Thompkins. Falling in Love with My Girl welcomes a host of special guests including Shania Twain, Ronnie Wood, Gene Simmons, Bill Champlin, Billy F. Gibbons, Ray Parker Jr., Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson, Steve Lukather, Tower of Power, Jay Graydon, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness, Nathan East, and others. Jason Sharp, with The Stylistics since 2011, sings lead vocals. The double album of original material, produced by Tom Cridland, is available on CD and digital/streaming. As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.