Parlophone

Marillion: Season's end 1989 (Deluxe/Rem) [3 CD + Blu-ray]

Iron Maiden: Live after death 1985 (2020/Rem) [Digipack / 2 CD]

April 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the release of David Bowie's ALADDIN SANE, which was released only ten months after his breakthrough album THE RISE AND FALL OF ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS. The title track and songs such as 'Panic In Detroit,' 'Lady Grinning Soul' and 'Time' marked a significant musical progression from its predecessor, adding brass, woodwind, soulful backing vocals and the distinctive piano playing of Mike Garson.<br/> <br/>ALADDIN SANE will be issued as a limited edition 50th anniversary half-speed mastered LP and a picture disc LP pressed from the same master.<br/> <br/>The album was preceded by two singles 'The Jean Genie' and 'Drive-In Saturday', peaking in the U.K. singles chart at numbers 2 and 3 respectively, and was the first time he topped the U.K. album charts. It also marked Bowie's debut on the U.S. charts reaching the top 20 album chart there, where an edited version of 'Time' was released as a single. <br/> <br/>The cover of ALADDIN SANE has become one of the most striking and memorable images in rock n roll history and was rumoured to be the most expensive produced up to that point. The cover photograph was taken by Brian Duffy, who would also shoot the sleeves for 1979's LODGER and 1980's SCARY MONSTERS (AND SUPER CREEPS) and features Bowie with the iconic red and blue lightning bolt make-up, an image which has staked out an indelible spot in the planet's cultural lexicon. <br/> <br/>This new pressing of ALADDIN SANE was cut on a customised late Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics from 192kHz restored masters of the original master tapes, with no additional processing on transfer. The half-speed was cut by John Webber at AIR Studios.<br/> <br/>Bowie described ALADDIN SANE as 'Ziggy Goes To Washington: Ziggy under the influence of America'. The album was to be Ziggy Stardust's last stand, and the persona was laid to rest three months after the album's release in July 1973 at the infamous final show with the Spiders From Mars at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

blur will release their first album in 8 years, titled The Ballad of Darren and comprising 10 new tracks, on 21st July on Parlophone.<br/>Produced by James Ford and recorded at Studio 13, London and Devon, The Ballad of Darren is the band's ninth studio album, their first since the chart-topping The Magic Whip in 2015, with artwork featuring an image by British photographer Martin Parr. <br/><br/>The Ballad of Darren track listing is: The Ballad, St Charles Square, Barbaric, Russian Strings, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist, Goodbye Albert, Far Away Island, Avalon and The Heights<br/><br/>Damon Albarn said - "This is an aftershock record, reflection and comment on where we find ourselves now."<br/><br/>Graham Coxon said - "The older and madder we get, it becomes more essential that what we play is loaded with the right emotion and intention. Sometimes just a riff doesn't do the job."<br/><br/>Alex James said - "For any long term relationship to last with any meaning you have to be able to surprise each other somehow and somehow we all continue to do that."<br/><br/>Dave Rowntree said - "It always feels very natural to make music together. With every record we do, the process reveals something new and we develop as a band. We don't take that for granted."

Animals: Best of... 1964-66 [CD]

EcoRecord sounds and looks as great as a traditional vinyl record, but it's been manufactured using 100% recyclable PET, instead of PVC. EcoRecords are also produced using injection moulding technology, with energy savings of up to 85% compared to the traditional vinyl process.

Iron Maiden: Dance of death [2 Vinyl LP]