New Releases - 7/5/24

Hitting The Racks

Here's your weekly rundown of what's hitting the new release racks at Grimey's

New Releases

Fastball – Sonic Ranch LP (Sunset Blvd.)

Limited blue color vinyl pressing. Multiplatinum hitmakers Fastball are remembering it's okay to have hits. Reflecting on their meteoric rise with chart-topping debut The Way, guitarist/vocalist Miles Zuniga wryly remarks, "I like to say that The Way gave us the freedom to continue doing what we do." And what Fastball does is write hits. Their latest, Sonic Ranch, produced by David Garza (Fiona Apple) and John Fields (Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus), is ten sing-along gems, combining pop smarts and the wisdom of 30 years together.

Béla Fleck – Rhapsody In Blue CD/LP (Béla Fleck Productions)

The new release from banjo great Béla Fleck expands and explores George Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue by paying homage to the legendary composer while redefining an American classic-just in time for its centennial. [Limited edition sapphire color vinyl.]

Kiasmos – II CD/LP (Erased Tapes)

Kiasmos - Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds and Faroese musician Janus Rasmussen - are returning, renewed and restored, with II. The triumphant follow-up to their universally acclaimed self-titled debut in 2014, which re-envisioned minimal techno with orchestral flourishes and weightless production. They'd made most of that album in just two weeks; this time it's been 10 years. [Indie store exclusive clear vinyl.]

The Del McCoury Band – Songs Of Love And Life CD/LP (McCoury Music)

Now available on CD. Seven years after its last LP, the Del McCoury Band returns to take on the challenge with Songs Pf Love And Life. A glorious 13-song collection, the album follows 2021's celebrated release, Almost Proud, and once again features Del touching down on a diverse set of tracks-vintage and contemporary-as he and his crackerjack Band nod to icons Kenny Rogers, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley, as well as welcome next-generation talent, Molly Tuttle, to the party.

Oded Tzur – My Prophet CD (ECM)

On his album, My Prophet, Oded Tzur - together with his quartet of pianist Nitai Hershkovits, bassist Petros Klampanis and new member Cyrano Almeida on drums - continues the idiosyncratic musical path he has carved out for himself, a flowing jazz idiom that seamlessly combines multiple forms of expression while delving deeper into the meditative and highly concentrated realm of improvisation.

Reissues, Comps, Live Recordings, Vault Excavations...

Assemblage – Album [Reissue/1971] CD/LP (Org Music)

Album by Assemblage is one of the most obscure treasures of the Westbound Records archives. Released in 1971, the album features a more rock-oriented sonic palette than most in the famed funk label's catalog (underscored by the cover of the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction"), while maintaining the signature psychedelic soul sound the label became known for. [Limited edition purple crush color vinyl with 2 bonus tracks.]

Babymetal – Babymetal [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Cooking Vinyl)
Babymetal – Metal Resistance [Reissue/2016] 2xLP (Cooking Vinyl)
Babymetal – Metal Galaxy [Reissue/2016] 2xLP (Cooking Vinyl)

Color vinyl reissues of the first three albums by the Japanese heavy metal idol group.

Big Sugar - 500 Pounds LP (Third Man Records)

Big Sugar's well-known record '500 Pounds,' first released in the U.S. in 1995, stands as a defining masterpiece in their discography. Produced by Gordie Johnson, Peter Prilesnik, and Tom Treumuth, this album marked a pivotal moment for the band, showcasing their ability to seamlessly blend blues, rock, and reggae. Gordie Johnson's soulful vocals and masterful guitar work, combined with the talents of the original lineup created a sonic landscape that resonated with fans.'500 Pounds' is not merely an album; it's a musical journey exploring the complexities of life and love. Tracks like All Over Now, Still Waitin' and Ride Like Hell exemplify the band's dynamic range, from heartfelt ballads to energetic, blues-infused rock anthems.

Donald Byrd – Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill [Reissue/1957] LP (Blue Note)

Recorded in 1956 for producer Tom Wilson's short-lived Boston-based label Transition Records, Byrd Blows On Beacon Hill presented trumpeter Donald Byrd in a relaxed and intimate quartet setting with his frequent collaborator Doug Watkins on bass along with Boston area musicians Ray Santisi on piano and Jim Zitano on drums. The standards heavy set was captured on a rainy Spring afternoon in the Beacon Hill home of engineer Steve Fassett which provided a casual atmosphere that gave the album both its title and its easy-going charm.

Clutch – Slow Hole To China [Reissue/2003] CD/LP (Weathermaker Music)

Clutch's Slow Hole to China, originally released in 2003 is a compilation album featuring rare tracks and B-sides not found on their mainstream releases. The album showcases the band's signature fusion of rock, funk, and metal with a raw, underground vibe, highlighting their eclectic style and lyrical creativity. These groove-heavy songs are remastered, and the album artwork is updated. "Slow Hole to China" showcases the robust, energetic flair typical of Clutch's distinctive sound. [Limited edition orange w/ smoke vinyl.]

Everlast – What It’s Like b/w Ends 7” (Tommy Boy)

"What It's Like" was the lead single off Everlast's sophomore album, Whitey Ford Sings The Blues. It tells the story of three different people and their everyday struggles, urging empathy from the audience, all over a genre-bending mix of rock, hip-hop and blues. Arguably his most successful song as a solo artist, the single reached number one on both the US Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock tracks charts and peaked at # 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. This 7' single also featured a B-side, "Ends," the second single from the same album.

Grateful Dead – Reckoning [Reissue/1981] 2xLP (Grateful Dead)
Grateful Dead – Dead Set [Reissue/1981] 2xLP (Grateful Dead)

Reckoning is the 1981 live double album by The Grateful Dead. It consists of acoustic material recorded live in September and October 1980. The Dead's sixth live album was released in April 1981 and contains live material recorded from between September and October 1980 at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco and Radio City Music Hall in New York. Reckoning is essentially an acoustic companion release to Dead Set, a 1981 live album of electric material - both albums were recorded at the same run of concerts.

Vince Guaraldi - It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown LP (Lee Mendelson Film)

Lee Mendelson Film Productions (LMFP) is thrilled to announce the release - for the first time ever - from recently rediscovered tapes - the complete Vince Guaraldi soundtrack to It Was a Short Summer, Charlie Brown, the timeless 6th animated Peanuts® special, from writer and creator Charles Schulz, director Bill Melendez and producers Melendez and Lee Mendelson. Originally the special aired in September 27, 1969 on CBS-TV. The album includes the original recordings that comprise the cues from the Special across twenty-six tracks, plus another 6 alternative tracks that have never been released or heard before. Guaraldi lovingly created the soundtrack for the summer camp adventure where Charlie Brown and his gang face off against the girls camp lead by Peppermint Patty. The large jazz combo album also includes the best rendition of Guaraldi classic, Love Will Come (Nova Bossa) as well as the first use of additional percussion in Victor Feldman.

Lightnin’ Hopkins – Mojo Hand [Reissue/1962] 2xLP (Sunset Blvd.)

Lightnin' Hopkins is widely considered one of the most popular architects of the blues style that came be known as "country blues" and which proved to be huge influence on the future development of rock 'n' roll. Mojo Hand was one of Hopkins' signature tunes. Mixing his own style with Louisiana Creole and voodoo culture, the song ripples with an occult energy. This album, recorded for Fire Records, is especially interesting because it casts Hopkins in a more R&B-flavored environment. This obvious effort to get a hit takes for some excellent blues; moody and powerful performances play throughout.

Origami Angel – Somewhere City [Reissue/2022] LP (Counter Intuitive)

Neon orange color vinyl. When you arrive in Somewhere City, you’re bound to notice a few things. There’s a drive-thru window open all hours of the night, and Dr. Pepper runneth over in all its water cups. A nearby amusement park is busiest on Sunday—that’s when visitors get most thrilled. There’s Danny Phantom playing from an infinite Nicktoons feed. It’s a place governed by caffeine, eternal youth, and the promise of escape. You’re not gonna be the same once you leave.

The Osborne Brothers - From Rocky Top to Muddy Bottom: The Songs of Boudleaux & Felice Bryant LP (CMH)

Originally released in 1977 and out of print for 45 years, this album is a showcase for the songs of Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, who wrote many hits for the Everly Brothers and have been covered by everyone from Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison to Gram Parsons and Grateful Dead.

Wayne Shorter – Odyssey Of Iska [Reissue/1971] LP (Blue Note)

The winds of change were blowing through Wayne Shorter's life and career in 1970. The saxophonist had just left Miles Davis' group and was soon to form his collective fusion band Weather Report. His music was evolving too as he began to delve into his own unique fusion explorations on his previous two Blue Note recordings Super Nova and Moto Grosso Feio. Recorded in August 1970, the mesmerizing Odyssey Of Iska would be the last release of Shorter's early Blue Note period. The album was a tribute to his daughter Iska-who had been born the year before with severe brain damage-with four immersive Shorter compositions portraying a variety of moods: "Wind," "Storm," "Calm," and "Joy." 

Sia – 1000 Forms Of Fear [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Sony Legacy)

Celebrate a decade of chandelier swings and powerful anthems with Sia's 1000 Forms Of Fear 10th Anniversary vinyl including all your favorites plus and extra disc of remixes and piano versions of "Chandelier," "Elastic Heart," and "Big Girls Cry". This deluxe 2-LP version is pressed on natural color vinyl.

Tipper - Forward Escape [Reissue/2014] 2xLP (Tippermusic)

A decade after its initial release of only 300 copies, Tipper's Forward Escape is being offered once more in vinyl format to the legions of fans who sought this vaunted platter for their collection since. Blissfully naive the pressing would be so well received, the 300 copies Tipper self-funded was intended more a physical nod to the album artwork from Android Jones than as the highly sought after and rare collectible these became later. This 2024 'redux' adds a bonus track (Gratis) and updated mixes of each track to separate it from the original release, and the artwork has also received a re-working from the original artist (thus preserving the valuation of those 300 rare copies that have received mythical status in the reselling market over time.