Five great box sets, reissues or special releases for music lovers
Credit to Author: Stuart Derdeyn| Date: Tue, 10 Dec 2019 19:00:40 +0000
As long as classic rock fans are still breathing, each holiday gift season will see another truckload of newly compiled greatest hits sets, extra-special deluxe editions and remastered reissues of acts whose back catalogue most already own. The music industry’s ability to recycle its platinum players is proven.
But some are seeking something more than five different takes of Jim Morrison trying to find the best word flow for The End. They want something sparkling and new, or even quality vintage, placed under the tree.
With that in mind, this year we took a look at the many different seasonal releases that came over our desk to come up with some truly memorable box sets or limited edition releases. The criteria were that the recordings contained unique or hard-to-source content, informative and innovative design and quality sound.
Because everyone can appreciate some great music to share around at a family or friendly gathering while the cold wind blows outside. Considering that the idea of listening together should be enjoyable rather than accommodating an obsessive completist, nothing like the definitive cover versions of Hallelujah compilation was even considered. Like ugly Christmas sweaters, some things are just wrong.
Here are our five standout seasonal special box sets or releases for the music fan.
Too Late to Pray: Defiant Chicago Roots. Bloodshot Records 25th anniversary compilation. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Various artists | Bloodshot Records
For its 25 anniversary, the label revisits the concept of its 1994 debut compilation, For A Life of Sin: Insurgent Chicago Country. Providing an overview of all the diverse acts forming the Windy City roots/folk/rock scene, the 22-song set includes both covers and originals from acts ranging from long-time label stable artists Robbie Fulks and Handsome Family to newer crews such as Wild Earp and the Free For Alls. The latter’s The Last Honkey Tonk in Chicago boasts a video of the band members visiting some of the city’s classic live venues and dive bars getting into the spirit of the place. The music is raw, lively and swaggers. Even Rookie’s cover of Tears For Fears’ Head Over Heels takes the tune’s ’80s pop sheen and makes it into a snarky rocker.
Fania Records reissue series 2019. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Fania Records reissue series 2019. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Okay, this is a bit of a cheat. But in 2019, no other label specializing in reissues of classic, hard-to-find material and quality remastering did as bang-up a job as Craft Recordings. Owing to having access to an absolutely massive trove of both original master recordings and compositions, the label maintains meticulous standards in its releases, from original artwork to liner notes. Among the highlights of this year were the vinyl releases from Craft Latino — the Latin arm of the label — of classics on the groundbreaking latin jazz hitmaking factory Fania Records. Until you’ve heard the 15-song Fania Goes Psychedelic compilation, you just don’t understand the place where merengue and marijuana met. Also out were brilliant Stax soul sides, a definitive Staples Singers career overview, a complete Chet Baker box set, and more. I’m awaiting the complete Captain Beyond recordings to get this kind of loving attention.
Mary J. Blige, Herstory, Vol. 1 on VIA UMe. 8x45rpm box set. 2019 [PNG Merlin Archive]
Mary J. Blige | Universal Music Enterprises
R&B/Hip-hop superstar Mary J. Blige doesn’t get the kind of respect she deserves these days, unless you are talking about her Oscar-nominated acting in Mudbound or role in Umbrella Academy. Back in the day, her blend of classic R&B, gospel and hip hop hooks established her as one of the leaders of the new school of soul. This box set collects both hits and harder to find remixes across 2 LPs, eight 7″ records, one CD and digital content. It’s a massive amount of funky deliciousness to take all at once. But with gems such as the Bad Boy remix of Love No Limit to the seminal Mary Jane (All Night Long) f. LL Cool J, this will indeed bring you joy. Turn it up and dance.
Motörhead 1979 and special 40th anniversary deluxe reissues of Overkill and Bomber. [PNG Merlin Archive]
Motörhead | BMG
In one year, Motörhead dropped two of the best speed metal releases of all time. Not only do Overkill and Bomber define the genre, they also rank as the late Lemmy Kilmister greatest moments with the original power trio line-up of the metal act with Lemmy on bass, Philthy Animal Taylor on drums and Fast Eddie Clarke on guitar. Besides brand new half speed masters created from the original tapes for the vinyl and CD reissues, the package includes two double live albums of previously released concerts — both of which are fierce in their no hold barred rock approach — plus a 10 tune The Rest of ’79 b-sides compilation, the No Class 7″ single, Melody Breaker story, Bomber tour program, the ’79 reproduction badge set and Overkill sheet music for you and your orchestra buddies to enjoy. OVERKILL INDEED.
Underworld Drift Series 1. Box set on UnderworldLive.com and Caroline International. 2019 [PNG Merlin Archive]
Underworld | UnderworldLive.com Caroline International
From one of the genre’s most groundbreaking bands, comes this seven disc set, complete with an informative 80 page booklet and blu-ray capturing the video portion of the project. Drift captures one year in the life of Karl Hyde and Rick Smith’s music making from Nov. 1, 2018 to Nov. 1, 2019. During that period, the group played live shows all over the planet releasing 52 new works with accompanying visuals. The project began with Another Silent Way and was followed by a new piece of music released online every Thursday for a year. Along the way, the duo collaborated with different producers, writers, musicians and others. Each track is illuminated in detail in the booklets mini essays and interviews, giving even more insight into the creative processes at work behind the music. From the gurgling techno of Schiphol Test to the near jazzy swing of Custard Speedtalk or the hypnotic, minimalist groove of Appleshine, this represents some of the best music of the band’s career and positions them as enduring frontrunners in an ever-evolving scene. Sadly, the repeated question of “do you wanna buy my car?” posed in This Must Be Drum Street never got answered and is now a musical mystery.