I am here to tell you. The 4th Quarter onslaught of releases is definitely on. Here’s what’s been popping up on the radar.
Some great Soul Music SHM-CD releases from Japan are forthcoming. This time around, most of them are centered on Gladys Knight & The Pips. I want to point out to you some of the titles from the prime period of the group.They are: Everybody Needs Love (1967 album) due October 16, If I Were Your Woman (due November 20), Standing Ovation (due November 20) and Neither One Of Us (due October 16). All are being released on the Motown (Japan) imprint. Places like CD Japan can give you more specific information. Based upon what I’m seeing over at the CD Japan.com listings, it appears that all of them are SHM-CD releases that are available in either the standard sleeve format or in the mini-LP format with the exception of Standing Ovation (which is standard-only) (Dusty Groove-Coming Soon section)
Edwin Starr – 25 Miles also gets the SHM-CD treatment from Japan and is due November 20. (Dusty Groove-Coming Soon section)
The BBR label will surely provide more comfort to those of us who sorely miss the early to mid-’70s Soul music scene. They have surprisingly put on their schedule Why Can’t We Live Together from Timmy Thomas. It is due September 30 and is already available for pre-order over at Amazon U.K. (Dusty Groove-Coming Soon section)
Here’s one that slipped by everybody. For those of you who love really obscure regional hits-only Soul music from the ’60 and ’70s, then the Numero label is the one for you. They have had a series out called Eccentric Soul in which they issue CDs of specific labels that were only regionally known rather than nationally. Songs from these labels were only regional hits and made very small dents in the charts. The latest in their series has already made it out. It’s called Eccentric Soul: The Forte Label. The latest offering concentrates on a label that was known in the Kansas City area back in the day. (Dusty Groove-Coming Soon section)
You can add another special box set to the list of big ones which have already been announced. This one is for Miles Davis. The Original Mono Recordings will be available from Columbia/Legacy on November 12 and will contain the following albums in their original mono mixes: ‘Round About Midnight, Miles Ahead, Milestones, Jazz Track, Porgy And Bess, Kind Of Blue, Sketches Of Spain, Someday My Prince Will Come and Miles & Monk At Newport. (The Second Disc)
Our great host will be delighted to learn that a special project has now been formally and officially announced. Work has now been completed by Steven Wilson for a 2-CD/1-DVD set for Jethro Tull – Benefit and is due out October 28. I’m sure Matt will provide the requisite photos and further details as they are forthcoming. (Hoffman Forum)
A poster over at the Hoffman forum reports that there will be added bonus tracks tacked on to a tie-in disc celebrating the 40th anniversary of Rory Gallagher‘s Irish Tour ’74 album next year. (Hoffman Forum)
It was announced on the Facebook page for Keith Richards. You had to know it was coming. But The Rolling Stones have announced DVD and Blu-ray releases for Sweet Summer Sun: Hyde Park Live from Ume. It is due on November 11. It’ll be nice to have this-especially as a document of Mick Taylor getting to perform with the band again on a few songs like he did for the whole tour. (Keith Richards Facebook page)
–Steve Talia
O.k. My eyes are going goofy. The Gladys Knight amp; The Pips reissues from Japan are only standard Japanese reissues. My eyes overlooked that the SHM-mini sleeve ones are from last year. I’m terribly sorry for the confusion. Neither One Of Us, Standing Ovation and If I Were Your Woman are only available as the standard reissues for 2013.
Speaking of Steven Wilson, at the Hoffman site, there was this discussion going on about upcoming remasters and someone said that it was too bad that the contract expired for him to do further ELP remixes. Have I missed something – that would be a real shame as I was hoping for Trilogy.
I’m told someone else is doing Trilogy, and Brain Salad Surgery.
I heard about the Eccentric Soul series earlier this week. I can’t wait to check some of them out.
Other good news about Benefit – the original US album is also represented on the DVD – I’ve always preferred the order (and tracks included) to the UK one.