Ace’s Songwriter Series and Black America Sings compilations always promise a good time, but their latest may have outdone them all: a hits and rarities packed tribute to the songs, sound and style of Stevie Wonder. Black America Sings Stevie Wonder, available March 27, collects 20 compositions by the Motown legend from across the pop and soul diaspora. From familiar tracks in less familiar versions to songs he gave others both on and off the label he was part of for more than half a century, there’s quite a bit to appreciate here,…
The Weekend Stream: October 30, 2021
While The Second Disc prides itself on connecting people to reissues and box sets they can keep on their shelves, it’s no secret that listening audiences are also digital – catalogue music lovers, too – and our passion is connecting people to music from the past that they might adore. So we’ve introduced a new feature: The Weekend Stream, which focuses on hidden gems that recently made it to digital channels that might make your playlists a little brighter! The Temptations, Emperors of Soul: The Rarities (Motown/UMe) (iTunes / Amazon / Spotify)…
State of Shock: Legacy Reissues, Expands Final Three Jacksons Albums for Digital Release
Last month, Legacy Recordings brought remastered and expanded versions of The Jacksons’ first three studio albums to digital platforms. Next Friday, March 26, sees a physical 2-LP reissue of 1981’s The Jacksons Live!, and today, Legacy announced that the group’s final three studio albums – Triumph (1980), Victory (1984), and 2300 Jackson Street (1989) – will receive the remastered and expanded treatment on April 30. A generous 39 bonus tracks are spread across the three digital releases. 1980’s Triumph lived up to its title. Produced and written by the brothers, the album…
Review: Whitney Houston, “Whitney Houston: 35th Anniversary Edition”
Whitney Houston wasn’t yet 22 years old when Arista Records released her self-titled debut album on Valentine’s Day, 1985. Overseen by executive producer Clive Davis, Whitney Houston anticipated every style the singer would explore in her subsequent discography. 35 years later, nearly every song is a recognized classic and a cornerstone of the late singer’s career. Vinyl Me, Please, in association with Legacy Recordings and Arista, has just revisited Whitney Houston in a beautiful new 2-LP box set featuring the original album and a bonus disc of dance remixes. Music was in…
I Say a Prayer With Every Heartbeat: Vinyl Me, Please Expands Whitney Houston’s Debut for 35th Anniversary
Thirty-five years ago today — on Valentine’s Day, 1985 — Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut was released. With three consecutive No. 1 singles, “You Give Good Love,” “How Will I Know” and “Greatest Love Of All,” the album was a smash hit that introduced listeners to one of the most talented vocalists of all time. Now, to celebrate that anniversary, Vinyl Me, Please will partner with Legacy Recordings to press a special 2LP, peaches-and-cream-colored 180-gram vinyl pressing. The first disc features the original album, while disc two features the rare Japanese remix album…
Let ‘Em Show You What It’s All About: UMe Bows Rare Quad Mix of The Jackson 5’s ‘Greatest Hits’ On Vinyl
A half century after The Jackson 5 became a blockbuster R&B/pop act, UMe is reissuing their first greatest hits album on vinyl – with a special twist. The quintet’s Greatest Hits is back on LP October 25, utilizing a stereo fold-down of a rare quadraphonic mix issued only in Japan in 1975. That mix featured alternate vocals and instrumentation on some tracks, making this release a true new way to hear some of the group’s biggest hit songs. And what an incredible run of hits it was! The 11 tracks on Greatest…









