In Memoriam: Jimmy Cliff (1944-2025)

Before The Rocky Horror Picture Show, there was The Harder They Come.  Director Perry Henzell’s film inspired by the life of Jamaican outlaw Ivanhoe “Rygin” Martin, starring Jimmy Cliff in the title role, failed to make a splash at the box office upon its initial U.S. release in early 1973.  But canny exhibitors realized its similarity to Blaxploitation films such as Shaft and Superfly, and it quickly became a mainstay of midnight movies.  The New York Times noted that it ran for 26 weeks at a Cambridge cinema in 1973 before returning…

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Rhino Ushers In Summer with Frankie Valli, Van Morrison, Linda Ronstadt, Randy Newman, Chicago, Grateful Dead, and More

Today, Rhino announced its new Sounds of the Summer initiative, which will see a total of over two dozen vinyl releases hitting brick-and-mortar stores beginning this Friday, July 5, and continuing throughout the month of July.  These titles encompass various reissues as well as new entries in the label’s ongoing Now Playing series of compilations.  As of now, these LPs are all exclusive to independent record stores and Barnes & Noble locations.  You’ll find the full list of releases below including descriptions courtesy of TSD. July 5 Genesis, And Then There Were…

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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…

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The Weekend Stream: December 10, 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, a Madonna rarity makes a splashy debut, the daughter of a soul legend sings with her dad on his holiday classic, and Roger Waters emerges from lockdown – plus remixes old and new, and a World Cup throwback you might not believe is real. Madonna, Gambler (Warner/Rhino) (iTunes / Amazon) As the first part of Rhino’s ongoing…

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Invitation to Jamaica: Landmark Anthology “The Trojan Story” Sees 50th Anniversary Reissue

Since 1968, Trojan Records has been synonymous with the reggae, rocksteady, dub, and ska genres.  The U.K. label founded by Lee Gopthal and Island Records’ Chris Blackwell was instrumental in spreading those Jamaican sounds throughout the world and popularizing such key artists as Jimmy Cliff, Desmond Dekker, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and The Maytals.  By 1971, Trojan – with its focus on 45 RPM singles – had amassed enough hit records to release a label anthology.  On June 18, that seminal release, The Trojan Story, will receive a reimagined 50th anniversary reissue from…

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Still Crazy: Paul Simon’s “Concert in Hyde Park” Coming in June

As Paul Simon is launching a summer tour on June 1 in St. Petersburg, Florida, Legacy Recordings is looking back to one of the famed troubadour’s recent performances from across the pond.  The Concert in Hyde Park will arrive from the label on Friday, June 9, in 2CD/DVD or Blu-ray packages, as well as via digital audio and video downloads and streaming. Simon’s July 15, 2012 Hyde Park concert, closing night of the Hard Rock Calling Festival, spanned the entirety of Simon’s career through his 2011 album So Beautiful or So What. …

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