For vinyl enthusiasts, 2024 has been a banner year, unearthing hidden gems and classics reborn with pristine audio quality. From legendary artists to long-forgotten sounds, here’s a glimpse into the year’s most captivating reissues:
Landmark Reissues
- Air – Moon Safari (2CD + Blu-ray): This French electronic duo’s landmark debut gets the deluxe treatment. The remastered audio shines on both CDs, while the Blu-ray boasts high-resolution formats for ultimate listening experiences.
- David Bowie – Waiting In The Sky (Before The Starman Came To Earth): A treasure trove for Bowie fans, this previously unreleased collection showcases the artist’s pre-fame recordings, offering a raw glimpse into his early musical development.
- Alice Cooper – Billion Dollar Babies: Trillion Dollar Deluxe Edition (3LP, 2CD): This iconic shock rock album receives a supersized upgrade. The three LPs boast remastered audio and previously unreleased live cuts, while the CDs offer demos and outtakes, providing a deep dive into Cooper’s creative process.
Deep Dives and Live Treasures
- Van Halen – Live: Right Here Right Now (4LP box set): Dive into the energy of Van Halen’s live performances with this comprehensive box set. Four LPs capture the band at their peak, showcasing their electrifying stage presence and Eddie Van Halen’s guitar mastery.
- Jethro Tull – The Chateau D’Hérouville Sessions 1972 (2LP black vinyl): This unearthed gem features previously unreleased recordings from the band’s iconic Thick as a Brick sessions. Offering a glimpse into their creative process, it’s a must-have for Tull aficionados.
- Eagles – To The Limit: The Essential Collection (6LP box set, 3CD box set): This expansive collection brings together the Eagles’ greatest hits, remastered for exceptional audio quality. Spread across six LPs or three CDs, it’s a definitive Eagles experience for fans both old and new.
Beyond the Mainstream
For those seeking off-the-beaten-path discoveries, 2024 offered a wealth of reissues from lesser-known gems. Labels like Analog Africa and Habibi Funk unearthed forgotten grooves from Africa and the Middle East, while reissue specialists like Death Is Not The End brought cult classics back to the forefront.
Looking Ahead
With the year still young, there’s more to come for vinyl lovers. Reissues of Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” and a Miles Davis box set are rumored to be on the horizon. With these upcoming releases and the year’s bounty so far, 2024 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for vinyl reissues, offering something for every music enthusiast.