SDE 2025 Record Store Day preview

With just over a month to go until this year’s Record Store Day (which is on 12 April), SDE takes a look through ‘the list’ and picks out some highlights for 2025.

A-ha / Hunting High & Low – The 1984 Demos [clear vinyl]

A neat companion to 2019’s RSD release, Hunting High And Low (The Early Alternate Mixes), this year’s offering from the Norwegian pop titans arranges early demos from the 2019 HH&L deluxe edition in album order to create an alternate version of their classic debut.

Air / Moon Safari – Live & Demos [white vinyl]

We’re promised “10 unique rarities, demo versions and BBC live sessions” from the sexy boys of French electro on this white vinyl pressing. Though the final tracklisting hasn’t been confirmed, it’s near-certain that it’ll mine last year’s Moon Safari 25th anniversary set, which will mark the first time for many of the tracks on vinyl.

Alan Parsons Project / I Robot (Work In Progress) [blue vinyl]

The world has caught up with The Alan Parsons Project’s 1977 album I Robot. With the Asimov-inspired concept album about the rise of AI seeming more kitchen sink than science fiction, an SDE feels timely. This ‘Work In Progress’ version of the album suggests as much and features previously unreleased early rough and alternative mixes of its 10 tracks, plus sleevenotes by Parsons himself. Pressed on 180gm blue vinyl, it’s limited to 4,100 copies worldwide, so to avoid a Breakdown, best get in line.

Alison Moyet / Hometime [vinyl LP]

Moyet’s fifth studio album, Hometime (2002), is an undersung gem which took a left turn into Portishead-inspired jazz-tinged electronic balladry. This individually numbered, limited to 3,000 copies pressing is its first on vinyl since Cooking Vinyl’s 2015 reissue, which you’d be lucky to track down for less than £100 these days.

Art Of Noise / Impressions Of For+ever and The Making Of Moments In Love [red vinyl]

The electronic pioneers are in reflective mood, with a show at London’s KOKO on 21 March to celebrate the 40th anniversary of debut album, Who’s Afraid Of The Art Of Noise? and this intriguing 13-track deep dive into their smouldering new age masterpiece ‘Moments Of Love’. Side One tracks the evolution of the single while the flip collects the best of the remixes, including the near-20 minute ‘The Tortoise And The Hare’ suite, previously only available on the ‘Moments in Love’ cassette single and 2006’s And What Have You Done With My Body, God? 4CD box set.

David Bowie / Ready, Set, Go! (Live, Riverside Studios 03) [2LP vinyl and CD]

Bowie fans clamouring for the final ‘era’ box set will have their thirst sated for now by this live release, available on 2LP and CD. The 8 September 2003 performance from Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London, saw Bowie and band unveil the eclectic Reality (released the following week) in its entirety in a show broadcast in cinemas worldwide. All you young dudes out there will already have the 11-track main set on DVD, thanks to its inclusion on the ‘Tour Edition’ of Reality, but Ready, Set, Go! adds three tracks from the set – ‘Cactus’, ‘Hallo Spaceboy’ and Afraid. Perhaps next time we’ll get the other seven tracks recorded that day, including a snippet of Blur’s ‘Song 2’, ‘A New Career In A New Town’ and ‘Fantastic Voyage’.

Duran Duran / Danse Macabre [zoetrope vinyl]

Ever fancied watching Ray Harryhausen-style skeletons dance around your turntable while listening to Nick Rhodes incanting instructions for a séance? Of course you have. And you’re in luck now that the pop veterans have joined Generation Z(oetrope). This seven-track set replicates the bonus disc of Tape Modern’s rather pricey ‘De Luxe’ box set edition of their 2023 Halloween-themed covers album Danse Macabre.

Dusty Springfield / Reputation [pink vinyl]

The combination of Dusty’s ageless voice and Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe’s pop suss made for a triumphant comeback with the 1987 hit, ‘What Have I Done To Deserve This?’ and they reunited for the second (superior) side of her 1990 LP, Reputation. Though it was given the 2CD+DVD box set treatment by Cherry Red in 2016, this marks the first time Reputation has been reissued on vinyl.

Elton John / Live From The Rainbow Theatre With Ray Cooper [vinyl LP]

Elton’s 2019 release of a 1979 concert backed by percussionist Ray Cooper, Live From Moscow, proved so popular that it was given a wider release a year later. This single-disc follow-up, compiled by the big man himself, cherry-picks the best of John and Cooper’s May 1977 six-night residency at London’s Rainbow Theatre. 

George Harrison / All Things Must Pass [zoetrope vinyl]

More Zoetrope fun, if you’re an Apple Scruff who likes that sort of thing, with this reissue of Beatle George’s third solo album. If the zoetropes of Wonderwall Music and Electronic Sound are anything to go by, this will be trippier than George’s furry moon boots. Interestingly, this version reverts to the album’s original 1971 mix, rather than the slightly de-Spectorised 2020 remix.

John & Yoko/Plastic Ono Band / Power To The People – Live At The One To One Concert, New York City, 1972 EP [yellow vinyl]

Another release which hints strongly at more to come some time down the line. Four tracks here, pressed on 180gm yellow vinyl, taken from John Lennon & Yoko Ono’s headline appearances at the One To One benefit gigs held at Madison Square Gardens, NYC, on 30 August 1972. Three are previously unreleased – ‘Well Well Well’ from the evening show, plus ‘Cold Turkey’ and Yoko’s ‘Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For A Hand In The Snow)’ from the afternoon set – along with a new remix of the previously released ‘Instant Karma! (We All Shine On)’ from the afternoon show.

Joni Mitchell / US Tour Live 1976 [3LP vinyl]

Continuing the recent run of RSD live releases culled from Joni Mitchell’s Archives series, US Tour Live 1976 plucks three LPs’ worth from last year’s Archives Volume 4: The Asylum Years. Highlights include a medley of ‘Coyote’ and ‘Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter’ backed by LA Express which suggests the two songs were two sides of the same coin and a vulnerable early solo version of ‘Hejira’ (titled ‘Travelling’) featuring alternate lyrics.

Laura Nyro / Angel in The Dark [vinyl LP]

A debut on vinyl for Laura Nyro’s posthumous album, Angel In The Dark (2001), released four years after the cherished singer-songwriter died of ovarian cancer. Though incomplete, the project was a fitting tribute to Nyro’s talent, strong originals (the title track, ‘Sweet Dream Fade’, ‘Gardenia Talk’) and a smattering of gorgeous covers (‘La La Means I Love You’, ‘Walk On By’) backed by a all-star session band including Bernard Purdie and the Brecker brothers. 

Madness / Take Cover! [red vinyl]

Everyone’s favourite nutty boys have never been shy of putting their own stamp on a song, but surprisingly, Take Cover! is the first covers compilation of Madness‘ career. Curated by the band and limited to just 2,000 red vinyl copies, Suggs & co pay tribute to Ian Dury (My Old Man), Scritti Politti (‘Sweetest Girl’), ABBA (‘Money, Money, Money’) and more on a set that feels like a proper treat for anyone with a penchant for fezes.

Neil Finn / Sessions At West 54th St [vinyl LP]

First released on DVD in 2000, this year’s RSD marks the first vinyl release of Neil Finn’s 1998 appearance on the US TV programme Sessions At West 54th, recorded live in New York City. Finn was touring the US to promote his first solo album, Try Whistling This, with a band including his then 14-year-old son Liam. Still, the consummate tunesmith treats fans to a career-spanning set including Split Enz and Crowded House hits.

Paul Hardcastle / Paul Hardcastle [red vinyl]

Another strangely neglected album, Paul Hardcastle’s fourth studio album hasn’t been reissued on vinyl since its 1985 release despite featuring the worldwide hit ’19’. That’s all about to change with this reissue, remastered and cut at AIR Mastering and pressed on transparent red vinyl.

Pete Shelley / Yesterday Is Not Here: Radio Sessions 79-83 [clear vinyl]

Any Buzzcocks fans asking themselves what they can get this Record Store Day is in luck. Domino’s considerate stewardship of their back catalogue continues with this collection of the late Pete Shelley’s solo radio sessions. Yesterday Is Not Here features a 1979 recording for Piccadilly Radio along with two early 80s sessions recorded for BBC Radio One’s Kid Jensen Show. The LP is pressed on clear vinyl with new sleevenotes from Clinton Heylin and previously unpublished photos.

Prince / Live At Glam Slam [3LP yellow vinyl]

While fans wait to see whether the vault will yield Camile, Parade or Purple Rain SDEs, the Prince estate have turned to the 2023 Diamonds And Pearls box to give this 3LP live set a standalone release on yellow 140gm vinyl, limited to 4,000 copies. While news of the release might’ve underwhelmed the hardcore, it’s difficult to fault the music – a hugely enjoyable 14-song, near-two-hour set recorded on 11 January 1993 at Prince’s Minneapolis club, Glam Slam.

Soft Cell / *Happiness Now Completed [vinyl LP]

First released on CD in 2023, *Happiness Now Completed was an 18-track addendum to the previous year’s *Happiness Not Included, mopping up new songs, B-sides, alternate takes, extended mixes and covers. Now a slimmed down, 14-track version of the rarities collection is coming to vinyl including the previously unreleased ‘Kill Shot’ (groan). 1,000 copies available.

Suede / Sci-Fi Lullabies II [2LP grey vinyl]

Suede’s insatiable fanbase won’t be able to resist this sequel to the louche luminaries’ essential 1997 B-sides album, Sci-Fi Lullabies. While their post-Head Music bonus tracks might not hit the heights of that previous volume, the 2LP grey vinyl set includes some unappreciated gems – ‘Darkest Days’, ‘Since You Went Away’, ‘Dawn Chorus’ – and the previously unreleased ‘Blinded’.

T. Rex / Bolan B-Sides [2LP blue vinyl]

Another set celebrating the art of the flip side, this is – amazingly – the first vinyl collection of T.Rex’s 1972-1977 B-sides, pressed on 2LP 140gm translucent blue wax. For a generation of pop kids whose budget didn’t stretch to albums, Thunderwing, Cadillac, Jitterbug Love, Baby Strange were as beloved as the A-sides and this 27-track set, limited to 3,000 copies has them all.

Talking Heads / Live On Tour ’78 [2LP vinyl]

This bodes well for the now-underway Talking Heads reissue campaign. An easy option would’ve been to ‘break out’ the Live At CBGB show included in last year’s 1977 box set. Instead, Rhino have dusted off this live set, originally pressed as a promo LP for radio and much bootlegged. Though three tracks were included in the expanded 2CD The Name Of This Band… and ‘Psycho Killer’ was issued as a UK-only promo 7”, this is the first time the whole set has been officially released. Cut at 45rpm, this 2LP set has been fully remastered from the original analogue tapes and given new artwork.

Thompson Twins / Into The Gap Live [2LP yellow vinyl]

First audio-only release for Into The Gap Live which sees the Thompson Twins performing songs from 1984’s Into The Gap (and 83’s Quick Step & Side Kick). This 13-track collection was originally issued on VHS (and laserdisc) back in the day. 2LP set feturing turquoise and yellow vinyl.

Tori Amos / Diving Deeper Live [‘custard’ coloured vinyl]

The vinyl release of last year’s Diving Deeper Live left off four tracks that were on the CD and digital releases – ‘Here In My Head’, ‘Crazy’, ‘Sister Janet’ and ‘Mother Revolution’. Amos devotees will be relieved then, that they’re making it to vinyl as a custard-coloured 12” EP. Adding to the lure is an art card signed by Amos and the release will be limited to 2,500 copies. We await a rhubarb-coloured companion for Black Friday’s RSD in November…

War / Why Can’t We Be Friends [3LP vinyl]

A must-have for soul and funk fans, this 50th anniversary edition of WAR’s classic fifth album features two discs of previously unreleased bonus tracks, including bonus tracks Zorro, Roam & Ramble and Oatmeal Box, original mixes of tracks including the indelible groove of ‘Low Rider’ and a ‘making of’ the joyful smash hit ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends?’

Wire / Nine Sevens [2LP vinyl]

Nine Sevens first appeared on RSD 2018 as a 9 x 7” box set collecting singles released by the punk mavericks between 1977 and 1980. With that release easily fetching three-figures, this reissue is a comparatively affordable reminder of the wit and potency of those early releases.

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