Simple Minds’ 1984 album Sparkle in The Rain was reissued back in 2014 as a 4CD+DVD super deluxe edition. Long out of print, that box set is being made available again, newly presented, but without the DVD.
The album features the classic hits, ‘Waterfront’, ‘Up On The Catwalk’ and ‘Speed Your Love To Me’ and the box set features the original album on CD 1, a selection of B-sides and rarities on CD 2 and then what was a previously unreleased Glasgow Barrowlands concert across the last two CDs. My interview with Jim Kerr back in 2014 was used for Simon Cornwell’s sleeve notes the booklet. These notes are repeated in the new box.
The new Sparkle in the Rain 4CD box set (click image to enlarge)
The audio mastering is identical to the previous release but as you can see from the above image the 2024 Sparkle in the Rain box is offered in more compact packaging. There will also be an opaque blue vinyl edition released at the same time as the CD box.
Sparkle in the Rain will be released on 22 November 2024, via Virgin/UMR.
Following the box set release back in August, the blu-ray edition of The Alan Parsons Project’s 1978 album Pyramid is now available as a standalone release and features Alan Parson’s new Dolby Atmos Mix.
The group’s third studio album – a concept album centred on the pyramids of Giza – was originally released in May 1978. It was It was recorded at Abbey Road Studios with a variety of different lead vocalists employed including John Miles, Colin Blunstone, Lenny Zakatek, David Paton, Jack Harris and Dean Ford. Session musicians included guitarist Ian Bairnson and drummer Stuart Elliot, with arrangements by Andrew Powell.
Pyramid standalone blu-ray audio
The album sold in excess of two million copies, achieving platinum and gold status in numerous territories including the USA, Germany and Canada.
As well as the first ever Dolby Atmos Mix of an Alan Parsons Project album athe Pyramid blu-ray also features a 5.1 Surround Sound Mix (also by Alan Parsons) and a hi-res stereo remaster by Miles Showell.
Audio streams:
Dolby Atmos Mix by Alan Parsons
5.1 Mix of original album by Alan Parsons
Stereo HD Remaster by Miles Showell
The blu-ray is multi-region and comes with a booklet containing sleeve notes featuring quotes from Alan Parsons, the Woolfson family and the musicians, full lyrics and Alan Parsons’ thoughts on Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround Sound.
It’s released on 13 December 2024 via Cooking Vinyl and is available to pre-order via the SDE shop using this link or the button below.
Tracklisting
PyramidThe Alan Parsons Project/Blu-ray Audio
Dolby Atmos Mix of the original album by Alan Parsons
Voyager
What Goes Up…
The Eagle Will Rise Again
One More River
Can’t Take It With You
In The Lap Of The Gods
Pyramania
Hyper-Gamma-Spaces
Shadow Of A Lonely Man
5.1 Mix of original album by Alan Parsons
Voyager
What Goes Up…
The Eagle Will Rise Again
One More River
Can’t Take It With You
In The Lap Of The Gods
Pyramania
Hyper-Gamma-Spaces
9. Shadow Of A Lonely Man
HD Stereo Remaster of the original album by Miles Showell
3LP Style Council anthology that features two unreleased tracks: a demo ‘My Ever Changing Moods’ with strings, and an extended version of ‘Dropping Bombs On The Whitehouse’.
How low can this box go? Originally around £150 it’s now virtually being given away when you consider the content is five CDs, two LPs, a blu-ray and loads of ‘stuff’ (see the SDEtv unboxing).
Frank Zappa/Apostrophe (‘) gold vinyl LPgold vinyl LP
Overseen by original producer Jerry Goldstein, this 4CD set includes the original album, and each of the six songs from the original album in the original jam recordings.
This alternative version of the Budokan album includes 14 previously unreleased recordings. It features all the songs that didn’t make the original release, plus the best alternate versions. The vinyl comes in a gatefold sleeve with a Japanese OBI-strip and a 4-panel insert with liner notes.
The Who/Who’s Next 4LP box4LP (with Live in San Francisco)
Pete Townshend and Elton John are amongst two artists who have collaborated on what is being called a ‘literary and musical reinvention’ of Herman Hesse’s classic novel Siddhartha.
The German-Swiss writer’s 1922 novel deals with the spiritual journey of self-discovery of a man named Siddhartha during the time of the Buddha, and it has now been reimagined in print and as a record.
Rachel Fuller’s book, The Seeker
Rachel Fuller (who’s married to Pete Townshend) has reimagined the story as a graphic novel with artwork by Emelia Wharfe. But there will also be a double vinyl album version which sees the story narrated by the late Christopher Plummer, and features performances by Pete Townshend, Sir Elto John, Nakhane, Emeli Sandé, Layton Williams, Sunidhi Chauhan and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choir. The album features additional music and lyrics by Pete Townshend.
Inevitably, as well as the hardcover book and the 2LP vinyl, there will be a deluxe edition that brings music and book together. This is only available via the official shop. If you don’t opt for the deluxe version, the standard book has a QR code which gives access to the audio.
Alongside these products will be a new podcast series featuring conversations with guests including Pete Townshend and members of the album cast, together with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and choir, will perform the music at a special concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane on 6 November.
The book, album and deluxe edition are released on 7 November 2024.
The pre-order window for the Thompson TwinsInto The Gap SDE-exclusive blu-ray is about to close.
#29 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series, this blu-ray audio features a brand new David Kosten Dolby Atmos Mix of the classic 1984 album, plus 5.1 mix, instrumentals and more. The audio streams are as follows:
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 Stereo Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Instrumental Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Instrumental Mix (96/24)
2024 Stereo Remaster (by Frank Arkwright) (96/24)
1984 Original Stereo Mix (48/24)
The blu-ray also includes 30 stereo bonus tracks, as follows
Let Loving Start**
Nurse Shark (Instrumental)
Out Of The Gap**
Passion Planet
You Take Me Up (Instrumental Remix)
Doctor! Doctor! (Phil Thornalley Mix)
Leopard Ray
Doctor! Doctor! (Cassette Mix Version)
Panic Station (Day After Day)
Down Tools
Hold Me Now (Cassette Mix Version)
Funeral Dance (No Peace For The Wicked)
Compass Points (The Gap)
Still Water (Storm On The Sea) (Edit)
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Single Edit)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Edit)**
Sister Of Mercy (Single Mix)**
You Take Me Up (Single Edit)**
The Gap (Single Mix AKA AOR Mix)**
Hold Me Now (Phil Thornalley Extended)**
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
Let Loving Start (12″ Version)
Out Of The Gap (Megamix Extended Version)
Sister Of Mercy (12″ Version)
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
The Gap (Club Remix Version)**
You Take Me Up (Machines Take Me Over) (12″ Version)
You Take Me Up (High Plains Mixer) (US 12″ Remix)
Do not miss out. The blu-ray audio will ship with a free and collectible SDE slipcase and the pre-order will close tomorrow, 8 October 2024. Availability cannot be guaranteed after that date. The blu-ray is available only via the SDE shop. You can pre-order via this link or by using the buttons below. Blu-ray + vinyl bundles are available.
Tracklisting
Into The GapThompson Twins/40th anniversary edition
Into The Gap in the following audio streams:
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Mix
David Kosten 2024 Stereo Mix
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Instrumental Mix
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Instrumental Mix
2024 Stereo Remaster (by Frank Arkwright)
1984 Original Stereo Mix
Into The Gap
Doctor! Doctor!
You Take Me Up
Day After Day
Sister of Mercy
No Peace for the Wicked
The Gap
Hold Me Now
Storm on the Sea
Who Can Stop the Rain
Blu-ray bonus tracks in Stereo (B-sides, Cassette Mixes, Edit, Extended & 12″ versions)
Let Loving Start**
Nurse Shark (Instrumental)
Out Of The Gap**
Passion Planet
You Take Me Up (Instrumental Remix)
Doctor! Doctor! (Phil Thornalley Mix)
Leopard Ray
Doctor! Doctor! (Cassette Mix Version)
Panic Station (Day After Day)
Down Tools
Hold Me Now (Cassette Mix Version)
Funeral Dance (No Peace For The Wicked)
Compass Points (The Gap)
Still Water (Storm On The Sea) (Edit)
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Single Edit)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Edit)**
Sister Of Mercy (Single Mix)**
You Take Me Up (Single Edit)**
The Gap (Single Mix AKA AOR Mix)**
Hold Me Now (Phil Thornalley Extended)**
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
Let Loving Start (12″ Version)
Out Of The Gap (Megamix Extended Version)
Sister Of Mercy (12″ Version)
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
The Gap (Club Remix Version)**
You Take Me Up (Machines Take Me Over) (12″ Version)
You Take Me Up (High Plains Mixer) (US 12″ Remix)
** Denotes previously unreleased and/or new to CD
Side 1
Doctor! Doctor! (2024 Remaster)
You Take Me Up (2024 Remaster)
Hold Me Now (2024 Remaster)
Day After Day (2024 Remaster)
No Peace For The Wicked (2024 Remaster)
Side 2
The Gap (2024 Remaster)
Sister of Mercy (2024 Remaster)
Storm On The Sea (2024 Remaster)
Who Can Stop The Rain (2024 Remaster)
CD 1
Doctor! Doctor! (2024 Remaster)
You Take Me Up (2024
Remaster)
Hold Me Now (2024 Remaster)
Day After Day (2024 Remaster)
No Peace For The Wicked (2024 Remaster)
The Gap (2024 Remaster)
Sister of Mercy (2024 Remaster)
Storm On The Sea (2024 Remaster)
Who Can Stop The Rain (2024 Remaster)
Let Loving Start**
Nurse Shark (Instrumental)
Out Of The Gap**
Passion Planet
You Take Me Up (Instrumental Remix)
Doctor! Doctor! (Phil Thornalley Mix)
CD 2
Leopard Ray
Doctor! Doctor! (Cassette Mix Version)
Panic Station (Day After Day)
Down Tools
Hold Me Now (Cassette Mix Version)
Funeral Dance (No Peace For The Wicked)
Compass Points (The Gap)
Still Water (Storm On The Sea) (Edit)
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Mix)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Single Edit)**
Doctor! Doctor! (Edit)**
Sister Of Mercy (Single Mix)**
You Take Me Up (Single Edit)**
The Gap (Single Mix AKA AOR Mix)**
CD 3
Hold Me Now (Phil Thornalley Extended)**
Hold Me Now (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
Let Loving Start (12″ Version)
Out Of The Gap (Megamix Extended Version)
Sister Of Mercy (12″ Version)
Sister Of Mercy (Pete Hammond Extended Mix)**
The Gap (Club Remix Version)**
You Take Me Up (Machines Take Me Over) (12″ Version)
Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album is being reissued as an expanded 2CD set to mark its 40th anniversary.
The 1984 album has been remastered, and there’s nine bonus tracks on CD 2, with five of them previously unreleased.
The second disc features the ‘evolution’ of the single ‘Runaway’ the band’s first top 40 hit in America. In similar reminiscent of Peter Gabriel’sSo DNA bonus material, the listener goes from Jon’s original cassette writing demo to an extended version with a previously unheard second guitar solo.
The four live performances from the band’s shows in Tokyo, have been newly mixed for this release.
Bon Jovi 2CD set will be issued on 22 November 2024, via UMR.
Universal Music release Rory Gallagher The BBC Collection, a 20-disc set described as “the definitive collection of Rory Gallagher’s recorded performances at the BBC”. Watch the SDEtv unboxing.
Paul Heaton’s new album is produced Ian Broudie and features 12 new original songs, performed by Paul and his band and a number of special guest singers.
In a rather unusual move, The Beatles 1964 album A Hard Day’s Night is being reissued on coloured vinyl for National Album Day.
I say unusual, because normally Apple Corps and Universal shun Fab Four coloured vinyl reissues and events such as Record Store Day and National Album Day – perhaps the thinking was such gimmicks are beneath them – but not any more, it seems. The thaw came last year with the coloured vinyl versions of both the ‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ albums along with the ‘Now and Then’ single, which they went to town with, in terms of coloured vinyl variants (three seven-inch singles and one 12-inch).
The AHard Day’s Night re-release is justified because it’s the album’s 60th anniversary (which was actually back in July) and the record will be pressed on 180g white vinyl. For the first time in a long while, a Beatles reissue doesn’t feature audio newly remixed by Giles Martin. The press release makes so mention of the mastering so we can only presume it’s the 2009 stereo remaster.
Another interesting aspect to this reissue is that it is not available to pre-order anywhere. You can only buy it on National Album Day – on the 19th October – and after that date.
New single from Tears For Fears
Tears For Fears have released – let’s just say ‘made available’ – the song Astronaut from their forthcoming album Songs For A Nervous Planet. It’s one of four studio tracks on what is of course primarily a live album. The song was written by Roland Orzabal and Charlton Pettus and features backing vocals by Lauren Evans. It was produced by the band and Charlton Pettus. Let us know what you think of ‘Astronaut’.
By the way, the pre-order window for the limited SDE-exclusive blu-ray of the album closed a while back, but if you are after a copy you can add yourself to the waiting list by visiting the product listing on the SDE shop and clicking the ‘tell me if you get more stock’ button (if you don’t see this button, please try an alternate browser). We’ll inevitably get some cancellations and so there will almost certainly be some availability, in a few weeks, when it’s released (on 25 October).
Sticking with Tears For Fears, don’t forget about the concert film Tears For Fears Live (A Tipping Point Film). It’s coming to cinemas worldwide on Thursday, Oct 24 and Saturday, Oct 26. For tickets and locations visit https://tearsforfearsfilm.com/. Below is a taster: Head Over Heels.
Jethro Tull’s 2003 Christmas album has been remixed and expanded for a reissue in early December. The Jethro Tull Christmas Album, now has the subtitle ‘Fresh Snow At Christmas’ and will be available as a 4CD+blu-ray deluxe set or on double vinyl.
The album includes new interpretations of seven Tull songs, including 1968’s ‘A Christmas Song’ (the B-side of the single, ‘Love Story’). This festive offering was also the last studio set to feature longtime guitarist Martin Barre, who composed the closing instrumental ‘A Winter Snowscape’.
“Some of the tracks are not necessarily Christmas songs; they’re more seasonal so that gives a broader window,” says Ian Anderson. “And then there are a couple of them that I quite often play in the middle of summer and say, ‘It’ll soon be Christmas – it’s in the diary. So let’s kick it off now.’ And that’s part of what I’ve done over the years since October of 1968 when I went into record ‘A Christmas Song’. So, yes – it goes back a long way.”
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album – 4CD+blu-ray deluxe (click image to enlarge)
Bruce Soord (of The Pineapple Thief) has remixed the album in stereo, 5.1 and Dolby Atmos and this deluxe set also offers Christmas Live At St. Bride’s 2008 (also newly mixed by Soord) and the previouslly unreleased The Ian Anderson Band Live At St. Bride’s 2006.
The blu-ray obviously features the Atmos and 5. 1 mixes of the studio album but also contains hi-res stereo mixes of the album and both live recordings.
The 2LP set features the new stereo remix of The Jethro Tull Christmas Album and marks the debut of this album on vinyl. There’s a special clear vinyl edition called ‘Pearlescent Sunrise’ available via some retailers.
The Jethro Tull Christmas Album: Fresh Snow At Christmas will be released on 6 December 2024 via InsideOut Music.
Yes, it’s that time of year again! Does anyone really need another compilation of festive pop songs? Probably not, but we’re getting one anyway and there’s some mild interest here, in that the new NOW That’s What I Call Christmas compilation is adopting the Yearbook approach, with 3LP coloured vinyl editions and two 4CD sets, including a deluxe hardcover book edition.
Beyond that it’s fairly much what you’d expect, albeit quite generous with 87 Christmas songs on the 4CD sets including Wham!, Boney M., Shakin’ Stevens, Cliff, Chris Rea (stuck in his car, again), the Pretenders, Elton, The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, Greg Lake, Mud, Jona Lewie, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Pet Shop Boys, Paul Young, The Flying Pickets, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and more!
4CD in deluxe hardcover book
As a big Kate Bush fan it’s disappointing that ‘December Will Be Magic Again’ (either in ‘Bongo’ or standard versions) is missing, but we know Kate’s music doesn’t often get approved for licensing. That is particularly stupid in this case, it has to be said. So her publishers say something like: “Kate, you know that song you wrote for people to listen to and enjoy at Christmas?”. “Yes…”. “Is it okay if ‘NOW’ put it on a Christmas compilation, for people to listen to and enjoy at Christmas?” Kate: “No”. “Er, okay…”.
NOW That’s What I Call Christmas will be released on 1 November 2024.
Compare prices and pre-order
Various Artists
NOW Thats What I Call Christmas - 4CD deluxe in hardcover book format
In November, Joan Armatrading will release How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean, the British singer-songwriter’s 21st studio album.
The album – entirely written, produced, programmed and engineered by Joan herself – features ‘I’m Not Moving’. Joan wrote this track immediately after witnessing some alarmingly confrontational public behaviour by a young person. She explains the scenario:
He was like ‘I’m going to kill everybody! I’m not moving! You can get the police! You can’t move me!’ All the lyrics just flowed, in one, and I knew it had to have an aggression, because that’s how he was. I did a version of it that was a little bit milder, but you could tell that wasn’t it.
Joan Armatrading
The album was recorded this year and features two instrumemtals, showcasing Armatrading’s talents as a guitarist.
How Did This Happen And What Does It Now Mean is released on 22 November 2024, via BMG. Signed CD and vinyl editions are available via the Joan Armatrading official shop.
UFO’s seventh album Obsession will be reissued in November as vinyl and CD deluxe editions.
The 1978 album was the last to feature Michael Schenker, until his return to the band in the ’90s. For this re-release the album has been newly mastered from the original production tapes transfers (at AIR Mastering).
Both 2CD and 3LP vinyl editionsoffer a previously unreleased 2024 Mix of Live at The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, which originally featured within the classic Strangers In The Night live album. This has been newly mixed by engineer Brian Kehew, from the original multi-track tapes.
3LP reissue of Obsession
The 180g vinyl package comes in a tri-fold sleeve. Notes are by Michael Hann featuring interviews with Phil Mogg, Andy Parker and Michael Schenker.
Obsession will be released on 22 November 2024, via Chrysalis.
Joni MItchell/Archives Vol 4: The Asylum Years 1976-1980CD, Vinyl
The fourth volume of Joni Mitchell’s ongoing Archives series is released. ‘The Asylum Years 1976-1980’ Archives Vol. 4 features live tracks, songs from her 1979 tour and unreleased studio sessions and alternate versions of tracks from the albums Hejira, Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter and Mingus.
Moon Music is the new album from Coldplay. There’s an emphasis on Eco editions for this campaign with both CD and vinyl available with recycled elements.
Talk Talk / It’s My Life (half-speed mastered vinyl)
To mark its 40th anniversary Talk Talk’sIt’s My Life album has been cut at Half-Speed by Matt Colton at Metropolis Studios, overseen by Talk Talk drummer Lee Harris and Charlie Hollis (son of Mark).
Neil Young’s 1974 album On The Beach is being reissued on clear vinyl for its 50th anniversary.
Recorded after Tonight’s The Night, but released before, On The Beach was Young’s fifth studio album and has gained in stature over the years and is now regarded as one of Young’s best records.
It was recorded with an impressive array of musicians, including Crazy Horse’s rhythm section Billy Talbot (bass) and Ralph Molina (drums), along with other key players Ben Keith, Tim Drummond, Levon Helm), Rick Danko, Rusty Kershaw, David Crosby, Graham Nash and George Whitsell.
‘Revolution Blues’ from On The Beach
This album was out of print for a very long time, eventually being issued on CD in 2003. It’s no longer hard to get hold of and the album-only clear vinyl may be a disappointment to some, although Young can hardly be criticised for not releasing enough from his archives!
On The Beach will be reissued on 13 December 2024 (was 8 November), via Reprise.
U2’s 2004 album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb will be reissued for its 20th anniversary in November.
The band’s eleventh studio album was a massive success, with two of its singles, ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own’, reaching No 1 in the UK charts, and the other two (‘All Because of You’ and ‘City of Blinding Lights’) both going top five. The album went to number one virtually everywhere and won eight Grammy Awards, including ‘Album of the Year’.
5CD super deluxe of How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (click image to enlarge)
This reissue campaign, offers two big box sets: a 5CD super deluxe or an 8LP vinyl super deluxe, that offer the same audio content: the album remastered, a companion album called How To Re-Assemble An Atomic Bomb (featuring unreleased songs), remixes and a live show from Chicago in 2005. The only other formats are a standard single CD remaster (no 2CD set) and a 2LP vinyl edition (album only).
The box sets come with hardback photo books by Anton Corbijn featuring handwritten notes by the photographer and “never-before-seen” photos and 8 prints in a folio sleeve.
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb is re-released on 22 November 2024, via UMR.
Compare prices and pre-order
U2
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb - 5CD super deluxe
Songs of a Lost World is the long awaited new album from The Cure, their 14th studio release and the first in 16 years.
The album was written and arranged by Robert Smith and produced by Smith and Paul Corkett. The band is Robert Smith, Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums), Roger O’Donnell (keyboards) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar). You can preview ‘Alone’ from Songs of a Lost World, below.
Alone is the track that unlocked the record; as soon as we had that piece of music recorded I knew it was the opening song, and I felt the whole album come into focus. I had been struggling to find the right opening line for the right opening song for a while, working with the simple idea of ‘being alone’, always in the back of my mind this nagging feeling that I already knew what the opening line should be… as soon as we finished recording I remembered the poem ‘Dregs’ by the English poet Ernest Dowson… and that was the moment when I knew the song – and the album – were real
Robert Smith
The album is being released as a deluxe 2CD+blu-ray set which features bonus instrumentals on the second CD and a blu-ray with a Dolby Atmos Mix & Hi-Res Stereo. There’s also black vinyl, grey marble vinyl, a 2LP half-speed mastered version, standard CD and cassette.
Songs of a Lost World is released on 1 November 2024, via Polydor. No tracklisting has been issued yet.
The 3LP blue vinyl edition delivers 49 tracks across its six sides of vinyl. Full tracklistings are below. Now Yearbook 1977 will be released on 1 November 2024.
The Thompson Twins‘ 1984 album Into The Gap is being reissued for its 40th anniversary and amongst the formats is an SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio which features a David Kosten Dolby Atmos Mix and a wealth of bonus material.
Into The Gap was the Thompson Twins’ fourth album and their second as a three-piece of Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie and Joe Leeway. Like its predecessor, Quick Step & Side Kick, it was co-produced by the much missed Alex Sadkin, a brilliant mixer and producer who worked with the likes of Grace Jones, Duran Duran, Simply Red, Arcadia and more.
The album was the band’s commercial peak. The first three singles – ‘Hold Me Now‘, ‘Doctor! Doctor!‘, ‘You Take Me Up‘, were all top 5 singles in the UK with ‘Hold Me Now’ reaching No 3 in America and No 1 in the US Dance Chart. A fourth single, ‘Sister of Mercy‘ reached No 11 in Britain and ‘The Gap‘ was released as a single in the USA and Germany. Into The Gap enjoyed a three-week spell at the top of the UK charts and went top 10 in America. It would go on to sell over 5m copies worldwide, including 1m in the US.
The stereo version of the album has been remastered at Abbey Road by Frank Arkwright and David Kosten has created a brand new Dolby Atmos Mix, for the SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio. David’s forensic stereo rebuild and immersive work on Paul Young’sNo Parlez earlier this year was much-praised and you can expect the same with Into The Gap. Here’s some thoughts from David on the mix:
“Massive treat for me to work on Into The Gap in Dolby Atmos. The icing on the cake being Tom Bailey visiting my studio for a listen and to make comments during the process. The original recordings sound so good and are brilliantly produced – all recorded on analogue tape at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, and transferred to digital for me to use at incredibly high resolution. I spent around a month rebuilding the album mixes from the individual parts on the multitracks, with as many of the original nuances, pan positions, effects and mix intentions retained as possible.
And then onto mixing in Atmos – my mission was to really make use of all the speaker options, including lots of action in the centre, rear and overhead speakers, whilst maintaining the flow and integrity of the original stereo mixes. The music is often complex and multi-layered, so this was a perfect opportunity to hear all the lovely details and individual parts more clearly by opening up the tracks fully into the space.
Being a total synth nerd it was awesome to hear all those great analogue tones and finally figure out how they managed to make certain parts work by layering multiple patches. The solo in ‘Doctor Doctor’ for instance – split across different synths, now opened up both left to right and front to back. A really distinctive part of what made TT so big was the unique layering of backing vocals, shared between Tom, Alannah and Joe’s very different voices – and again here it was a no-brainer to allow these to have their own spaces around the listening space. All the percussion elements were recorded on separate tracks too, and these often worked a treat being placed around the room”. – David Kosten
There are three formats of the 40th anniversary of Into The Gap on offer: a 3CD deluxe with 30 bonus tracks, a red vinyl remaster (album-only) and the SDE-exclusive blu-ray. I’m pleased to say that the blu-ray includes all 30 bonus tracks in stereo (cassette mixes, single edits, B-sides, 12″ mixes) as well as offering the 1984 album in the following streams:
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Mix (48/24)
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 Stereo Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 Dolby Atmos Instrumental Mix (96/24)
David Kosten 2024 5.1 Instrumental Mix (96/24)
2024 Stereo Remaster (by Frank Arkwright) (96/24)
1984 Original Stereo Mix (48/24)
Plus 30 stereo bonus tracks! (48/24)
Deluxe packaging and four discs worth of content in the SDE-exclusive blu-ray (click to enlarge)
The blu-ray is presented in deluxe rigid board packaging, the same as used for Richard Wright’s Wet Dream blu-ray last year, and not the usual amaray case. However, these will ship with the collectible SDE slipcase and – don’t worry – it will look consistent on the shelf! The premium packaging and the level of content means that #29 in the SDE Surround Series has a slightly higher price tag than normal, although we are confident that this is still tremendous value for the four discs worth of content that you are getting (there’s some savings to be made if you opt for the vinyl+blu-ray bundle).
All the physical formats feature restored artwork and new sleeve notes, written by John Earls and features contributions from all three band members.
Into The Gap SDE-exclusive blu-ray will released on 6 December 2024. The 3CD and vinyl are available slightly earlier on 22 November (was 8 November).
Do not miss out. This product is a limited edition and has a 10 day pre-order window, which closes on 5 October 2024. Availability cannot be guaranteed after that date. The blu-ray is available only via the SDE shop. You can pre-order via this link or by using the buttons below. Blu-ray + vinyl bundles are available.
