Out This Week / on 11 Sep 2015

Duran Duran / Paper Gods

Duran Duran‘s 14th studio album is released through Warners later this week. The cover doesn’t get any better.  

Robert Palmer / Original Album Series (5CD)

There’s been little fanfare for this Robert Palmer Original Album Series, but this is a fine collection which includes all of his EMI-era albums (as diverse as ever) as well as The Power Station album. No bonus tracks. If you require those then opt for the Edsel ‘two-fers’ issued in 2013. Palmer is arguably the most under-appreciated pop/rock star Britain has ever produced – he needs the ‘John Martyn’ box set treatment.

• • UK Order: Original Album Series
• • USA Order: Original Album Series

Steven Wilson / Transience 2LP

A personally curated ‘best of’,Steven Wilson‘s Transience is presented on double vinyl with some unique edits/versions plus side four of the vinyl is a stylish etched disc. 

Nick Kamen 2CD deluxe

This Nick Kamen reissue came in for quite a bit of abuse when I posted news of the release. Not sure why – Each Time You Break My Heart is classic Madonna/Bray and fans of Messrs Pettibone, Baker and Jellybean have much to enjoy. 

Marvin Gaye / Volume One 1961-1965 (7CD box)

This is a CD version of the vinyl box set issued in the spring. Marvin Gaye‘s first seven studio albums boxed.

• • UK Pre-order: 1961-1965
• • USA Pre-order: 1961-1965
• • GERMANY Pre-order: 1961-1965

Anthony Phillips / Private Parts & Pieces I-IV (5CD box)

Slightly delayed, but now out this week. The first four volumes of Anthony Phillips‘ Private Parts… albums are collected here with bonus tracks and an extra CD of previously unreleased material. 

Rod Stewart / 5CD box set

Another Universal Music CD box originally issued on vinyl. This Rod Stewart set contains a fabulous collection of music: An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down, Gasoline Alley, Every Picture Tells a Story, Never a Dull Moment and Smiler. If you’re going to buy this, the German price is great.

• • UK Order: Rod Stewart 
• • USA Order: Rod Stewart
• • GERMANY Order: Rod Stewart

Paul Young / No Parlez (reissue)

There’s much debate about what the ‘correct’ version of Paul Young‘s No Parlez actually is. The 2008 remaster rather bodged the track listing, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the very original CD issue which contained the extended mixes. *That* version is reissued this week at a budget price (not remastered).

• • UK Order: No Parlez
• • GERMANY Order: No Parlez

The Stranglers/ Original Albums Series (5CD)

Five Stranglers albums – namely Black & White (1978), The Raven (1979), Live (X Cert) (1979), The Gospel According To The Meninblack (1981) and La Folie (1981) – for £13. What’s not to like?

• • UK Order: Original Album Series (5CD)
• • USA Order: Original Album Series (5CD)
• • GERMANY Order: Original Album Series (5CD)

Sinead O’Connor / I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got

Vinyl reissue of Sinead O’Connor‘s 1990 album – presumably hanging on the 25th anniversary – which features her memorable interpretation of the Prince-penned Nothing Compares 2 U, which topped the charts everywhere. This uses the 2009 remastering.

• • UK Order: I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (vinyl LP)
• • USA Order: I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (vinyl LP)
• • GERMANY Order: I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (vinyl LP)

John Mellencamp / 1982-1989 (5CD)

Last year’s massive John Mellencamp 1978-2012 collection was WAY overpriced and a Big Mac sits in a sturdy box that the 19CDs of that set. This new 1982-1989 five-CD set contains some great music – The Lonesome Jubilee, Big Daddy etc. – but you are paying double the price of the Warner/Parlophone Original Albums Series (Robert Palmer, Stranglers) and I’m not convinced the packaging will make up for it.

• • UK Order: 1982-1989 (5CD)
• • USA Order: 1982-1989 (5CD)
• • GERMANY Order: 1982-1989 (5CD)