Out This Week / on 23 June 2017

Prince/ Purple Rain (multi-format reissue)

Over three years ago, Warner Bros. Records announced a deal with Prince that would “see the release of long-awaited, previously unheard material”. Finally, this week, with the Purple Rain reissue, we see the first fruits of this agreement, although the artist is now dead and one wonders if the trumpeted “exclusive global licensing partnership that covers every album released from 1978 into the nineties” is still valid, given the situation with Prince’s estate. 

Radiohead / OK Computer (20th anniversary reissue)

One of the best albums of the ’90s is reissued. The only problem here is that EMI created a very good 2CD+DVD box of Radiohead‘s third album back in 2009, so despite the inclusion of three unreleased tracks and a new remaster, fans might struggle to see the point. The new box set edition is desirable, but not good value. Plus, what could be the most interesting aspect – session archives and demo tapes – is offered only a pointless cassette tape and as a download (Flowers in the Dirt-style).  

Natalie Merchant / The Natalie Merchant Collection (10CD box)

Nonesuch Records issue this new 10CD box set that includes Natalie Merchant‘s eight studio albums and two bonus discs with new material and rarities. 

Neil Young  / Decade (2CD reissue)

Brilliant career retrospective that’s now 40 years old! This Neil Young set was reissued on vinyl for Record Store Day and now gets a 2CD release. Details are scant, but hopefully this is at least remastered!

• • UK Order: Decade (2CD reissue)
• • USA Order: Decade (2CD reissue)
• • GERMANY Order: Decade (2CD reissue)

Pointer Sisters / Automatic: The Best Of (2CD)

New double-disc ‘best of’ from Music Deluxe. 36 tracks from the Pointer Sisters with plenty of single mixes and a few 12-inch versions thrown in for good measure.

• • UK Order: Automatic: The Best Of
• • USA Order: Automatic: The Best Of
• • GERMANY Order: Automatic: The Best Of

Saint Etienne / Good Humor

Saint Etienne‘s 1998 album was produced by Cardigans producer Tore Johansson. This two-CD deluxe is now available again and the extra CD is effectively an expanded version of the very original ‘Fairfax High’ US-bonus disc. The Continental compilation is also issued this week.

• • UK Order: Good Humor (2CD deluxe)
• • USA Order: Good Humor (2CD deluxe)
• • GERMANY Order: Good Humor (2CD deluxe)

Bad English reissue

As the 1980s became the 1990s, the John Waite fronted rock band Bad English had a short, two-album career. The first, self-titled album found great success in America with a number of hit singles including the number one When I See You Smile. This ‘Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition’ is an expanded CD that offers remixes of Price of Love and Forget Me Not, plus a booklet that includes a 4,000 word essay.

• • UK Order: Bad English (special collector’s edition)
• • USA Order: Bad English (special collector’s edition)
• • GERMANY Order: Bad English (special collector’s edition)