COLLECTING DUST

HOT FLIGHT

Flight Of The Conchords self-titled debut album due May 12 on Warner Bros Records/Sub Pop will be their full-length debut. The band are hotly tipped for the top. Features fully fleshed-out and professionally recorded versions of the duo's concerts and TV favorites. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement's trademark acoustic guitars lead the blitz, backed by a diverse array of instrumentation and production technique. These 15 songs pay homage to Pet Shop Boys, censorship, Marvin Gaye, sexism and Shabba Ranks..."

A NEW DEATH CAB

The new Death Cab for Cutie's 'Narrow Stairs' is produced by the band's own Chris Walla, who has produced Death Cab's past five albums, as well as albums by Nada Surf and The Decemberists, among others. The new album will be preceded by the epic single, 'I Will Possess Your Heart'". Due May 12.

GLEN CAMPBELL RETURNS

On Aug 19, Glen Campbell will release his new album on his old record label, Capitol, where he first found fame. Meet Glen Campbell is a collection of modern songs including UK pop group Travis' "Sing," Tom Petty's "Angel Dream" and "Walls," The Replacements' "Sadly Beautiful," U2's "All I Want Is You," The Velvet Underground's "Jesus," and Jackson Browne's "These Days," plus Foo Fighters, John Lennon and Green Day songs. The country star is 72.

Recorded in March and April at The Recording Studio and Jim Henson Studios in Los Angeles, Meet Glen Campbell is produced by Julian Raymond (Rosanne Cash, Fastball, Shawn Mullins, Wallflowers) with engineer/co-producer Howard Willing. The album features musical contributions by Campbell contemporaries as well as younger rock and alt-country artists who joined him in the studio, including Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. and Jason Faulkner from Jellyfish, and Chris Chaney from Jane's Addiction. Campbell's sons and daughters, who regularly perform with their father, recorded backing vocals for the tracks, providing the album's warm family tone.

Campbell is already touring and playing songs from the upcoming album.

EASY AS ABC

ABC are back with a brand new album, Traffic, with 12 brand new songs. The band maintain the mood and the feel of their heyday while maintaining a contemporary sound. Fry says of the new album, "It's a cosmopolitan record and it's about today - about the journeys people are making today, country to country, internet traffic, human traffic, moving from the past to the present to the future." What a nice view. Due soon.

NEIL YOUNG ON 200 GRAM VINYL

Three Neil Young albums never before released on vinyl and now pressed only on Classic's proprietary 200 Gram Super Profile Vinyl, will be mastered and cut by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood from the original demo mix master tapes. All released May 12.

It is anticipated that these titles will instantly go out of print. They are 1) 'Live at Fillmore East' (200 Gram Vinyl). This one features Young backed by Crazy Horse plus renowned arranger and future Young collaborator, the late Jack Nitzsche on piano. Staples such as Down By The River, Cowgirl In The Sand and Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere get the full, stretched treatment that Young's shows would become known for. 2) 'Living With War-In The Beginning' (200 Gram Vinyl) is the "stripped-down, unpolished version of 2006's Living With War, with choir and overdubs having been jettisoned, delivers an even more powerful, jacked-up conduit of the message..." and finally 3) 'Live at Massey Hall' (2 x 200 Gram Vinyl LP). This double LP will be released June 15.

LOST PETER SARSTEDT

Peter Sarstedt's 'The Lost Album' thought lost over the years has been discovered. The 12 tracks were never released and it was only by chance that the album's producer came across some safety master tapes buried in his loft. The tapes have been restored and are being released with a bonus track of a previously unheard version of his platinum selling song Where Do You Go To (My Lovely) to coincide with the release of the Wes Anderson movie The Darjeeling Limited, which features the song." Soon.

MYSTERY FRISELL

"Bill Frisell's History Mystery 2CD is, on the surface, a series of short pieces, alternately elegant and playful, written by Frisell for an octet comprised of the guitarist himself and a group of longtime collaborators-friends. However, one evocative snippet melds into another to form a virtually seamless work that unfolds over the course of this double-disc package." Due May 12.

KIM GORDON'S FREE KITTEN

Free Kitten is releasing its fourth studio album titled "Inherit," with Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon, Julie Cafritz and The Boredoms' Yoshimi. On the disc, the past and now are collapsed into the present. And it is our present that is most effected by songs like "Erected Girl," which reminds one of bossa nova rhythms run through a Kosher meat grinder. And then there's "Free Kitten on the Mountain," which amounts to a travelogue of sorts--but through a Lord Buckley-like subconscious mind. "In short, the thematic eclecticism evinced in Free Kitten's present work is a movie that doesn't lie, because truth is its standard." Ahem. Released June 9.

WOTS THIS WAS?

Jethro Tull's 'This Was' (2 CDCollector's Edition) now comes in a spanking mono and stereo mix with bonus tracks galore. CD1 includes the album in mono for the first time ever on CD and 9 BBC session tracks. CD2 is a new stereo mix of the album and also includes rare early single tracks. The booklet features new liner notes and anecdotes from the band members. These are all 2008 remixes coming from EMI on Apr 28.

DON'T RUN, USE THE 13th FLOOR ELEVATORS

'The Psychedelic Sounds of...' (High-Definition Vinyl LP - Mono Edition) coming from Sundazed: "For the first time in 40 years, here it is in dangerously powerful MONO, exactly as it was intended: the stupefying debut album by Texas' heroic psychedelic point-men, the 13th Floor Elevators, on Sundazed's uncannily accurate high-definition vinyl...." Released May 27. Head for the door.

JOHNNY COME LATELY

Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes' - 'From Southside To Tyneside' is a new 2 CD live set recorded at the Opera House in Newcastle on October 26, 2002. Comes with an 8 page colour booklet. Due soon.

PAINFUL

A 2-disc live set, Penetration Live 1978/1979, that captures Penetration live at Thames Poly in 1978 and at the final gig in Newcastle, 1979 is due May 12. Bring along your gooey hair cream.

TIME FOR A REVOLUTION

Che Guevara's 'Voice of the Revolution' (CD/LP) will be a new very limited edition CD/LP release containing historic speeches by Che Guevara. Due June 24. Hopefully before the U.S. invasion of Iran.

NEWS FROM HOTWACKS.COM

For the latest postings from bootleg central, visit Hotwacks.com, the site which specialises in reviews of silver disc rarities. Remember to sign up at http://www.hotwacks.com/index.php

LED ZEP FOR BADGEHOLDERS ONLY

Clearly the market for bootlegs is shrinking. This week Empress Valley release two limited editions of their latest Led Zeppelin title - For Badgeholders Only: The Complete 1977 LA Forum Tapes which is 18CDs + 1DVD. It comes with a color brochure and a replica backstage pass. Both editions are limited to 150 sets each. Our guess is that one set has the DVD while the other doesn't. For completists only.

ROXY MUSIC

Coming from Vintage Masters Premium Series is the Roxy Music title "Fabulous Creation" 2CD containing a Newcastle '74 soundboard. The Limited Edition version (50 copies) includes the DVD "If There Is Something". Even smaller print run and a bonus DVD to entice you to buy. Just like an official release.

BEATLES RELATED

Masters Of Beatles Essentials [MBE] will release Paul McCartney's "Wembley The Live Fantastic" 2CD soundboard from London 1990 with a limited 75 sets containing a bonus double-DVD-R. MisterClaudel will release the McCartney's "Wings All Over The World" Documentary DVD.

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TRY AGAIN RY

Slide guitar legend Ry Cooder will release his new album I, Flathead, on June 24. The 14-track disc - a theme album by the fictional musician Kash Buk and his band the Klowns - will complete Cooder's "California Trilogy," which he began three years ago. A 95-page novella by Cooder that expands on the story will be released at the same time.

JACK WHITE'S SIDE PROJECT No. 2

The Raconteurs' 'Consolers Of The Lonely' is the sophomore album from Jack White-led Detroit supergroup The Raconteurs. A thrilling mix of '60s rock, garage and Beatles-esque pop, the album will appeal to fans of The White Stripes, Brendan Benson and The Yardbirds. Includes the single 'Salute Your Solution'". Yet to fire the imagination.

WHAT THE FUG?

The Fugs' 'Don't Stop Don't Stop' (4 CD boxset) is a 67-track career overview which includes alternate takes from a Folkways session in 1965, demos and more. The Fugs were iconoclasts with a sense of humour. Due May 26.

RANDY CALIFORNIA'S SPIRIT

Spirit - 'Rock and Roll Planet…1977-1979' (3 CD set) is a new boxset of archival material from the late Randy California, leader of Spirit. This set contains all previously unreleased alternate and live versions of classic Spirit material assembled by fan and friend Mick Skidmore. Released May 27.

LONG LOST BAND OF BROTHERS

'Be A Brother'/'How Hard It Is' (2 on 1) 2 original LP's on 1 CD released at mid price. An earlier CD reissue has long been out-of-print. Big Brother And The Holding Company carried on after Janis Joplin left issuing these two excellent albums. 'Be A Brother' features additional member Nick Gravenites (with Janis on occasional backing vocals) and was released in 1970. 'How Hard It Is' was released in 1971. This package has liner notes by band member Sam Andrews. Due May 27.

WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO 40th ANNIVERSARY

The Supremes' 'Where Did Our Love Go' (40th Anniversary Edition 2CD) features both the mono and stereo versions of the album first issued in August 1964 on CD1. The mono edition is now on CD for the first time ever. CD2 contains 19 rare and unreleased songs from the sessions that were recorded for the album - plus, from the same recording timeline, tracks for the album The Supremes Sing Ballads And Blues, a project that ultimately went unfinished..." Just released.

WHERE'S THE BEACH?

The Beach Boys' 'Surfin' Success' (DVD/CD or CD) is a new documentary of the surfing band. "From their arrival at Heathrow to backstage at The Hammersmith Odeon, this film follows the group on their infamous first visit to London. The only American supergroup to rival The Beatles talk us through their early days when three brothers, a cousin and a high school friend began their surfing harmony group.

"This amazing documentary covers their achievements with 'Pet Sounds' and the difficulties Brian Wilson had with the unreleased 'Smile' album. Brian's 'Teenage Symphony To God' was said to be the greatest unreleased album ever made and in this film Brian describes the making of 'Smile' as 'a hashish-fuelled period of craziness'. The film features many rare & unreleased scenes and the group 'at home' in London. Includes a bonus 13 track CD (also available separately) featuring demos & outtakes from the late '60s as well as a fascinating, 24 minute interview with Brian Wilson & Mike Love." A new release.

BISHOP'S CHOICE

Stephen Bishop, the man who might have determined Eric Clapton's white suits in the late '70s, has both of his earliest albums reissued as limited editions of 5,000 copies. "Bish is a sweet record, suited to Bishop's tenor, caught at the apex of his commercial success" and 'Careless' from 1977, guested Eric Clapton and had pop tunes that weren't hits, such as "Little Italy," "One More Night," "The Same Old Tears On A New Background," and "Rock And Roll Slave.'" Both released on April 28.

THE SUITE LIFE OF JON LORD

"After 1969's classical/rock Concerto for Group & Orchestra, Jon Lord was commissioned to write a follow-up. This was 'Gemini Suite', five movements inspired by the members of Deep Purple. After just one live performance it was recorded as a solo project. The 'Gemini Suite' album was issued in October 1971 with the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Malcolm Arnold. Jon Lord invited other guests along: Albert Lee, Ian Paice, Yvonne Elliman, Tony Ashton and Roger Glover." The new UK reissue comes with detailed notes in a 12 page booklet with rare pictures. Due May 12.

LISTEN TO THE GRASSROOTS GROW

A limited edition of 5,000 individually numbered copies of The Grass Roots' Leavin' It All Behind on Hip-O-Select is due Apr 28. "The first single for the album came out before the rest of the album had been finished, and it was a smash: I'd Wait A Million Years." 

NEW GAS SUPPLY

For decades, Pacific Gas & Electric's 'Get It On' has been considered one of the lost classics of blues-rock. Released on three different labels in less than two years, it has been out of print since the early '70s. "This energetic selection of blues and soul standards was mostly cut live on the studio floor, with few to no overdubs - and because it was recorded in this way there were enough alternate takes, unissued jams and finished masters to double the original running time of the album for this CD." Due April 28.

WHAT GINGER BAKER DID

"The sounds of Jimi Hendrix and bands like Santana had started to seep into the mainly soul-based sets of a handful of young bands playing Western-influenced pop in West Africa. Spurred on by Cream drummer Ginger Baker's visits to Lagos and his band Airforce (featuring many Nigerian musicians), the sound of fuzzed-out rock reverberated around the universities and nightspots of Lagos and Ibadan. This compilation 'Nigeria Rock Special' (Psychedelic Afro-Rock And Fuzz Funk In 1970s Nigeria) contains 15 of the best cuts from the scene, available for the first time in 30 years." Due May 12.

In $heep City, $ingapore the opposite happened. Clubs were closed, radio shut out all the new sounds and youngsters told to cut their hair. If a compilation were to be attempted, there would be nothing to compile but the speeches of the dictator.

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THE BEACH BOYS U.S. SINGLES BOX COMES WITH MOCK 'SAND'

The Beach Boys' 'U.S. Singles Collection' The Capitol Years 1962 - 1965 (16 single CDs Box Set) will collect for the first time ever - all The Beach Boys U.S. Singles. Comes in Limited Edition Deluxe box set packaging featuring 16 CDs faithfully reproducing the original vinyl singles. Each CD contains the original A & B sides in both mono and stereo. Eight are previously unreleased stereo/mono mixes. Includes 48 page hardcover picture book with 8 vellum pages wrapped in mock sand. Packaged in a board-wrapped, telescoping box featuring a retro chrome appliance sticker, and a variety of textures including gloss & rubber coatings, inlaid wood veneer and a foil stamp. This is a limited edition and, as far as we know, will be manufactured based on initial orders. Released in the UK June 16 for £72.99 (NOT CHEEP) and US June 10. Sandbox not included. View all the tracks here: http://www.whatrecords.co.uk/items/46227.htm

NEW DIAMOND

While gold prices shoot pass the roof, Neil Diamond is not resting. A US tour starts this summer and a new album Home Before Dark precedes it on May 6. Diamond told AP: "This record represents a giant step in my evolution as a writer and a recording artist ... you will see I've gone deeper. It was more painful to write this - maybe the most difficult album I've ever written, and maybe my best." Rick Rubin produces again. A new song Pretty Amazing Grace is streaming at Diamond's website.

WINWOOD'S NINE LIVES

The new nine-track album from this legendary singer-songwriter, Steve Winwood's Nine Lives also features Eric Clapton. The CD/DVD format includes a 40 min exclusive studio performance and interview plus a promo video clip. Due May 5. You can also get just the CD edition.

RUSSIAN FRONT

Forward Russia's 'Life Processes' "is a considerable advancement from the scratchily acerbic, post-hardcore histrionics of its predecessor, and has been shaped with the assistance of renowned producer Matt Bayles (The Blood Brothers, Mastodon, Minus The Bear, Pearl Jam), in Seattle. The 11 tracks find the band honing their eruptive sound, resulting in a cohesive, intricate and expertly layered experience. "People may be surprised by some of the quieter, prettier parts; some of the heavier parts will raise eyebrows, too," says singer Tom Woodhead". Due soon.

HEAD'S THIRD

Portishead's 'Third' arrives 10 years after their last album, and sees them going back to the source, sampling from prog rock, free jazz, techno, industrial and funk on which to work their music, as well as incorporating some of the folk influence that pervades frontwoman Beth Gibbons' solo work. Comes as a standard CD and Double Heavy Weight Vinyl LP and in a limited Limited Box Set that contains 2x heavy weight vinyl LPs, 1 Etched 'Machine Gun' 12", a 1gb USB and a Ltd Edition Print from artist Nick Uff. Released April 28.

EMPIRE IN THE BEGINNING...

Genesis' 'When In Rome... Genesis 2007' (3 x DVD) features over 4 hours 30 minutes of material, shot during the band's first tour in 15 Years 'Turn It On Again'. The package also includes a documentary on DVD3. "This 2 hour 40 minutes show, featuring Genesis classics such as 'Land Of Confusion' and 'Mama' to older Genesis repertoire 'Los Endos', 'Carpet Crawlers' and the haunting 'Ripples', is presented over two DVD's packed with deleted scenes, photo gallery and tour programme. Additionally, each track gives access to visual extras relating to each song on the DVD.

"In addition to the concert, 'When In Rome 2007' features a third DVD devoted to an extraordinary fly-on-the-wall documentary filmed from the inception of the tour back in 2006 to the last date in Rome by film-maker Anthony Mathile. This runs for a full 1 hour 50 minutes. 'When In Rome 2007' will be beautifully packaged in a slip cased three panel DVD digi-pak with a central double tray for the two concert discs. The right panel pocket will hold the third, documentary disc with a 28-page booklet with central gatefold spread housed in the left panel pocket." Released May 26 for £19.99.

KAT'S FLOWERS

Kathleen Edwards' Asking For Flowers is "her first new album in three years... and features 11 new songs, all written by Edwards, with support by Benmont Tench, Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Warren Zevon, Leonard Cohen), Colin Cripps (Sarah McLachlan, Bryan Adams), and Greg Leisz (Sheryl Crow, Wilco, Robert Plant & Alison Krauss)". Co-produced by Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Whiskeytown), the album is released April 28.

SARAH McLACHLAN'S RARE SIDE

Sarah McLachlan - 'Rarities, B Sides & Other Stuff is a new 11-track collection containing live performances, rare recordings, remixes and soundtrack contributions. Also features duets, with Bryan Adams, Cyndi Lauper, Emmylou Harris and others. Due April 28.

VALUE FOR MONEY FUDGE

This is the first time these albums have been combined together, both with an annotated booklet. 1) 'Vanilla Fudge'/'The Beat Goes On' (2 CD) contains their first two albums, originally issued in September 1967 and March 1968 and 2) 'Renaissance'/'Near The Beginning' (2 CD) Contains their third and fourth albums, originally issued in July 1968 and March 1969. Both released on May 5.

KING AT CARNEGIE

Carole King's The Carnegie Hall Concert released in 1996 is to be reissued May 12 as 'Live At Carnegie Hall'. "Recorded in 1971, this set captures King at her height, both commercially and artistically. Recorded the week that "It's Too Late" hit #1, this 17-track set shows that fame was still a new thing for the shy Brooklynite. Her voice audibly cracks at a few points, and she rushes and stutters through her few brief song introductions. The soulful solo piano performances are uniformly excellent, though, and the surprise guest appearance of James Taylor on four songs is a highlight."

MISPLACED SUPREMES

The Supremes' There's A Place For Us' (Limited) has been out since December 2006 in the US but apparently is poorly distributed. So come April 21, it will be issued again from Hip-O-Select, the specialist arm of Universal Music. From Hip-O-Select: "... in 1965, in the midst of mainstream TV appearances, smash tours and that string of memorable No. 1's, the Supremes recorded a variety of standards and show tunes associated with the likes of Al Jolson, Tony Bennett, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Perry Como. A title was announced: 'There's A Place For Us'...the resulting 12-track album was never released....This exclusive Select edition of this album includes an incredible 14 bonus tracks, more than the original LP, Total: nearly 78 minutes of music from the Motown archives, 26 tracks, only 9 of which have been issued and spread around various collections before. All of this beautiful music comes in a deluxe digipak, with a new essay, detailed recording annotations and many rare and never-before-seen photos of the one and only Supremes..."

CAN DO

Irmin Schmidt and Kumo's 'Axolotl Eyes' (CD +DVD) is the new album from Schmidt, a founder member of the legendary German group Can, and breakbeat pioneer and producer Kumo (aka Jono Podmore). Schmidt & Kumo's latest album of electronic experimentalism features Kumo's shimmering grooves, subterranean bass, theremin and violin providing the perfect foil for Schmidt's peerless and enduringly adventurous playing. Released as a bonus, the studio album is accompanied by a 5.1 surround sound DVD of the sound installation Flies, Guys and Choirs, first conceived for London's Barbican Centre in 2001.

HOT ROD

Rod McKuen's 'Live In London!' In Concert At The London Palladium' (2 CD) is "available for the first time in its entirety, Rod McKuen 'Live In London' makes its debut to CD with 15 previously unreleased tracks." It was first issued as a double LP. Due April 21.

BOWIE TO RELEASE OLD BOOTLEG ALBUM WITH EXTRA TRACK

David Bowie will release a live album, 'David Bowie, Live Santa Monica '72' on June 30 on EMI CD and double vinyl. The album is a recording from Bowie's gig at the Los Angeles Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on October 20, 1972. This first appeared as a bootleg in the '80s and was taken from an FM broadcast. Later a label associated with Bowie, Mainman, released the Santa Monica show in various editions. The 1994 edition of this Mainman release even came with a repro of the ticket for the show. It now appears they came out without Bowie's blessings. This new edition comes with one new track, the show's opening song, Hang On To Yourself.

HOT OFF THE PRESSES

Apocalypse Sound DVD's: The Beatles "Many Years From Now You Still Need Us" a history of UK TV appearances and Prince's "LiveSexy" proshot TV Broadcast from Dortmund, Germany 1988.

The GodFather Records: Led Zeppelin's "A Memory Frozen Forever" Last Concert - Berlin 1980 soundboard/audience, Pink Floyd's "Wishes, Echoes And Desires" from Nassau 1975 and Bruce Springsteen's "Does This Bus Stop At Max's?" from Max's Kansas City 1975.

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HICKS FROM THE STICKS

The Hungry Saw is the seventh album from the cult Nottingham indie chamber pop act, Tindersticks, their first since 2003's 'Waiting For The Moon' and sees them reduced to a trio after the departure of several founder members. Relocating to a long-dreamt-of studio space in rural France, the band recruited new backing players and quickly laid down these tunes, whose new and stripped-down version of their trademark sound has already been hailed by fans and critics alike. Includes the title-track single. Due April 28 on CD and LP.

THE BREEDERS MOVE A MOUNTAIN

The Breeders' 'Mountain Battles' "is the fourth studio album by the alt-rock group. The album also marks the return of both Kim and Kelley Deal since 1993's 'Last Splash'. Regarded by some to be one of the most unique alternative rock groups of the '90s, the band are best known for their melodic and off-kilter songs. The combination of memorable guitar hooks and Kim Deal's sweet vocals, perfectly encapsulate the band's strengths and individuality. Includes the single 'We're Gonna Rise'". Due soon. Among the first female-fronted rock bands.

FIVE LIVE BYRDS

The Byrds' 'Live at Royal Albert Hall 1971' is the first release taken from Roger McGuinn's archives and exclusively released through Sundazed Records, May 27. According to the Byrdsflyght web site, "Roger McGuinn recently handed over his archives tapes to Bob Irwin from Sundazed Records. The upcoming new Byrds release 'Live At The Royal Albert Hall 1971' will be the first in what we hope will be a very long series of Byrds-related releases from Roger McGuinn's tapes collection".

LONG LOST, PROBABLY FORGOTTEN

Dave Greenfield & Jean-Jacques Burne's 'Fire & Water will finally debut on CD, Apr 7. "The Stranglers' keyboard player Dave Greenfield and bassist/vocalist Jean-Jacques Burnel were approached by French film director Vincent Coudanne to provide the music for his film Ecoutez Vos Murs (Listen To Your Walls). Despite the release of a single Rain & Dole & Tea with guest vocals by Maggie Reilly (who sang on Mike Oldfield's Moonlight Shadow), the film and the album sank quickly from view, making this one of rarest and hardest-to-find albums in The Stranglers discography. Mastered from the original tapes and making its debut on CD and featuring the remix of the single as a bonus track, this release is fully annotated."

ALTOGETHER NOW

Tom Snyder's 'The Tomorrow Show: John, Paul, Tom & Ringo' (2 x DVD) is a collection of rare vintage interviews including one on April 25, 1975 with John Lennon. On that date, John Lennon gave what was to be his last televised interview. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were each enjoying solo careers of varying success at the times of their interviews with Snyder, and their comments provide further insight into the effects of "Beatlemania," drugs and their futures.

CURTIS MAYFIELD AND THE IMPRESSIONS COLLECTED ON DVD

'Movin' On Up 1965-1974' (DVD) is "the two-hour film [that] tells the incredible story of one of the greatest artists and most important R&B groups of all time. Also included in the documentary are 22 complete vintage television performances from The Impressions and Curtis Mayfield's solo career filmed between 1965 and 1973." Due April 21 for £14.99. Crucial music.

JAPANESE MOTHERS ON ACID

Acid Mothers Gong's 'Live at the Uncon 2006' (DVD) was "recorded at the Unconventional Gong Gathering in Amsterdam in November 2006 and mixed and mastered by Harry Williamson at Spring Studios in Melbourne, with assistance from Daevid Allen. Harry also did the psychedelic video edit, and created special effects which complement the music perfectly. This DVD is of a magical combination of musicians coming together to push the boundaries of improvised music - the line up is Daevid Allen, Kawabata Makoto, Gilli Smyth, Higashi Hiroshi, Yoshida Tatsuya and Atsushi Tsuyama with special guest Josh Pollock from the University of Errors." Due May 19.

SOFT MACHINE COVERED

Daevid Allen's University of Errors - 'Plays The Soft Machine' (DVD) is another "recording taken from a performance at the Gong UNCON in November 2006". This features a number of songs performed by the University Of Errors that covers the Soft Machine era that featured Daevid Allen." Due April 21.

REAL SOFT MACHINE IN 1970 PARIS GIG

Soft Machine - 'Alive In Paris 1970' (DVD) features a live performance captured by French Television in March 1970 at the Theatre de la Musique in Paris, France and features the line up of: Robert Wyatt - drums, vocals; Hugh Hopper - bass; Mike Ratledge - Lowrey organ & Hohner pianet; Elton Dean - alto sax & saxello and Lyn Dobson - soprano sax, flute, voice & harmonica. Restored from the original master, comes with an 8-page booklet with extensive sleeve notes by Aymeric Leroy. Due May 5.

IT'S RON GEESIN

Ron Geesin's 'Biting The Hand' (BBC Radio Broadcasts 1969-1975) (2 CD) collects his BBC radio sessions, most of which have never been released before now. The12 page CD booklet features extensive liner notes by Ron Geesin, along with his comments and recollections of each session and rare photographs from his own archive." Ron Geesin's name will be familiar to many rock fans through his collaboration with Pink Floyd. Geesin worked with the band on their 'Atom Heart Mother' LP, co-writing the side-long title track of that record. Due May 12.

A BOXFUL OF POGUES

'Just Look Them Straight In The Eye And Say... Pogue Mahone' (The Pogues Box Set) is a deluxe 5 CD Box Set from Rhino and comprising a mighty 111 tracks drawn from a multitude of sources: Album tracks, singles, live tracks, radio session tracks, demos, remixes, outtakes and so much more. Due on May 26.

THERE'S MORE WHERE THIS LOT CAME FROM

French, Frith, Kaiser, Thompson - 'Live, Love, Larf & Loaf' was first released in 1987. "Richard Thompson once joked that if his presence on an album with John French, Fred Frith, and Henry Kaiser was expected to help it appeal to a wider audience, it didn't say much for the state of their careers. Their first album from this unlikely ensemble mixes sophisticated playing with some humorous repertoire and idiosyncratic covers. Live, Love, Larf & Loaf covers a bewildering variety of genres, from folk and R&B to avant-garde and comic opera." Re-mastered with 4 previously unreleased live bonus tracks. Circulating among fans is a 4CD collection of live performances from this quartet known as the Ashkenaz Box. Recorded in 1987 and 1990. Rare.

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE, REALLY... AND £39.99

'All You Need Is Love: The Story Of Popular Music', Tony Palmer's classic series on 5 DVDs. All 17 episodes of this epic music documentary will be released May 17. Originally broadcast between 1976 and 1981 and not seen or released since, the series encompasses ragtime, blues, jazz, vaudeville, musicals, folk, swing, country and rock n' roll and features some of the major names from the past 50 plus years including, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hendrix, Bing Crosby, Dizzy Gillespie, Muddy Waters, Frank Zappa, Eric Clapton, and many more. 900 Minutes in all.

EARLY RANDY

Too good to be forgotten. A 26-track various artists collection of covers of early Randy Newman songs, On Vine Street [Early Songs of Randy Newman], is on sale. Features: Harpers Bizarre. Alan Price, The Beau Brummels, Nilsson, Van Dyke Parks, Dusty Springfield, Scott Walker and many more. Rick Nelson gets to sing Love Story, Nilsson does So Long Dad and Dusty gets the gem, I Think It's Going To Rain Today, Newman's finest song. On the Ace label.

DARK SIDE OF THURSTON MOORE

"'Sensitive'/'Lethal' is Thurston Moore in deep basement cosmosis. Investigations into acoustic guitar as noise instrument as well as noise/amp discussion for a hopeful and bright blackness. Childhood dreams of noise essayed with photos of unsuspecting innocents running from noise weirdo and Texas blues albino drug zap. This is the story told in drone meditation and sweet slice." On sale now.

LOST LOVE

From Collectors Choice Music, are two new Love reissues, 'Out Here' and False Start. 'Out Here' is a sprawling, uneven work whose high points rank with anything from their Elektra discography. 'False Start' is mostly famous for its first track, 'The Everlasting First', which boasts the long-awaited union of Arthur Lee and Jimi Hendrix (who co-wrote the tune and plays on it). Due May 5.

COWBOY CLARK

Gene Clark's 'Silverado '75 Live & Unreleased' will be issued on 'Collectors' Choice Music'. This is said to be Clark's unreleased recording of a 1975 show from Denver. "The set list... is just packed with treats for Gene Clark fans-for example, both of the songs he co-wrote with Bernie Leadon of the Eagles, 'She Darked the Sun' and 'Train Leaves Here This Morning', are here, along with Byrds favorites 'Here Without You' and 'Set You Free This Time' and the title track to 'No Other'. Other songs include the great 'Silver Raven; Long Black Veil; Kansas City Southern; Spanish Guitar; Home Run King; Daylight Line', and 'In the Pines'. Gene Clark biographer John Einarson contributes notes." To be released in May.

FRED GOES TRAV'LIN'

Fred Neil's 'Trav'lin Man' collects a half-dozen scarce singles for a variety of major and minor labels which sold in tiny quantities and have rarely been heard since their release between 1957 and 1963. They are gathered here for the first time ever, offering a fascinating and historically important insight into a gifted singer-songwriter.

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Soul singer Al Green's new studio album 'Lay It Down' has the participation of Roots member ?uestlove, and British keyboardist James Poyser. Also appearing on the album are Corrine Bailey-Rae, John Legend and The Roots. In recent years, with the resurgence of early soul music, Green has returned to his roots, recording early R&B in modern studios with startling success. The album is due to be released on Blue Note records May 27.

DENNIS IN MAY

Dennis Wilson's extended 'Pacific Ocean Blue' (2 CD/LP) will now arrive May 19. It will be a 2CD set as well as a double LP set on Sundazed. Disc One of the CD set will be the original 12 track album with several bonus tracks that have never been bootlegged. Disc Two will be 12 unreleased tracks from the never-released follow-up album 'Bambu'. An extensive textual and photographic full-color booklet will accompany the CDs. Sundazed say the 2LP set will be "A deluxe blue-colored, high-definition vinyl edition".

SONIC YOUTH EXPERIMENTS

Sonic Youth's 'J'Accuse Ted Hughes' (Vinyl) is "the seventh installment in Sonic Youth's series of experimental and sometimes instrumental releases on the band's own SYR label features on the A-side a previously unreleased 22-minute drone piece recorded at the All Tomorrows Parties festival in the UK in April of 2001." Released April 14.

NICE NESMITH

Michael Nesmith's 'Live At The Britt Festival' was "recorded live at the Britt Festival in Jacksonville, OR, in 1991, this is Michael Nesmith at his best. A tight, almost entirely acoustic band performing a complete retrospective of his career, pre-Monkees, First National Band, and his solo years. The hits are all here, as well his classic songs...The recording itself is brilliant - not over-produced and overdubs are not used." - (allmusic.com)

DEEP PURPLE' LIVE BOX SET

More details are out about the upcoming Deep Purple box set called Around the World. The four DVDs in the set are titled "Bombay Calling, India 1995," "Total Abandon, Australia 1999," "Live at the NEC, England 2002" and "Access All Areas." A post at The Deep Purple Appreciation Society Web site reveals that the "Access All Areas" is a documentary about the Steve Morse era. Around the World is due out in the UK on May 19. - Courtney Reimer, Punmaster's Music Wire.

TIMELY RELEASE FROM MISSION OF BURMA

Mission Of Burma, a US indie band whose albums have been out-of-print on CD for three years and whose vinyl editions have been deleted since the '80s, will launch 2LP + DVD and CD/DVD sets for three of their albums.

'Signals, Calls & Marches' comes with some remarkable extras, including unreleased studio tracks, a DVD of concert footage from 1979 and 1980 and a thick booklet with interviews and ephemera. Vinyl comes with DVD and MP3 coupon. CD also remastered from the original half-inch tapes.

Vs, Mission Of Burma's second and final studio album contains the 4 bonus tracks that were on the prior Ryko CD issue, plus a never-before-seen DVD of the afternoon set from the final show on March 12, 1983 in Boston. Vinyl is true all-analog, re-cut in person by George Marino at Sterling Sound.

The Horrible Truth About Burma is a posthumous live album, originally released in 1984 and has never been available on CD in correct form or sequence. This reissue contains one unreleased track, plus a bonus DVD with the entire evening set from the final show in Boston on March 12, 1983 [not sure if this is correct]. Remastered and restored to its correct sequence, with 3 bonus tracks. All released on April 28. These albums have nothing to do with the monks revolt in Burma last year.

BEST ALBUM TITLE SO FAR...

Sun City Girls - 'You're Never Alone with a Cigarette' (Singles Volume 1) was "recorded in July of 1988 during the sessions that produced Sun City Girls' most popular recording, these nine tracks represent the other half of songs which were originally prepared as a 2LP demo version of 'Torch of the Mystics' for Placebo Records in 1989. This is the first of a multi-volume set of reissued singles, compilation and unreleased tracks to be assembled and sequenced to play as full-length records." Released April 14.

NEWS FROM HOTWACKS.COM

Below are the latest postings from bootleg central, Hotwacks.com, the site which specialises in reviews of silver discs rarities. Remember to sign up at www.hotwacks.com.

NEW BOOTLEG VINYL

From Empress Vinyl Label: Rolling Stones' albums on 180 gram 2LP Multi-colored Vinyl Deluxe Glossy with foldout sleeve include "But Naked", "Double Door" and "Closer Than Close".

From Whispering Souls Authentic Vinyl Records Label: Pink Floyd's "Psychedelic Adventures" 180 Gram Marbled Vinyl LP... Led Zeppelin's "Get The Boogie" 180 Gram Colored Vinyl LP... The Doors' "Acid Evangelist" 180 Gram Multi-Colored 2LP set... All of the above are limited to 500 Numbered Copies on CD.

CLAPTON IS KING

Two new Eric Clapton albums are coming. "In The Court Of King Eric" and the Jeff Beck/ Clapton album "Exhaust Note". Empress Valley snuck in the Led Zeppelin release "V 1/2" this weekend.

FROM GENESIS

Satellite 6 issues its first bootleg Genesis' "This Is The One!..." 2CD featuring the Lamb Lies Down On Broadway Tour opener from Wembley Empire Pool on April 14, 1975.

A new Limited Edition 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Billy Joel's The Stranger (3 CDs and 1 DVD) is due July 8, 2008. It will contain a remastered The Stranger by the original album producer, Phil Ramone, "Live At Carnegie Hall 1977" previously unreleased CD recorded live on June 3, 1977, one month prior to the recording of The Stranger album and a bonus CD of a second live show circa "The Stranger' tour. The DVD contains the BBC's 1978 Old Grey Whistle Test show approx 60 minutes plus two live promotional videos.

There's also a 48 Page Booklet with liner notes by Rolling Stone Editor, David Fricke and un-seen photos from the original album photo shoot.

SIMON & GARFUNKEL AT STARBUCKS

Simon & Garfunkel's new compilation "Live 1969" drawn from previously unreleased recordings from Simon & Garfunkel's November 1969 U.S. tour, which turned out to be the duo's last for more than a decade, is now on sale at Starbucks.

The shows were taped with the intention of releasing a live album to follow up the January 1970 release of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," but that project never materialized until now. Two of the songs previously appeared on the vinyl Greatest Hits album. The rest are previously unreleased.

ELVIS COSTELLO'S MOMOFUKU

A new pop/rock album from Elvis Costello has the title Momofuku after the name of a New York eaterie[?]. It is said to be due April 22. It will come out on vinyl first. Buy stocks of turntable manufacturers.

THREE HEADS ARE BETTER

Brainville 3's 'Trial By Headline' are three old hands out of Soft Machine, Gong and Henry Cow (Daevid Allen, Hugh Hoper & Chris Cutler) working together. "High quality recordings combined with seat-of-the-pants playing keep the tension high, underpinning a richly labile music, full of shape and colour that is constantly in motion. Compiled from recent concert recordings in Berlin, London and Tel Aviv.." Due April 28 in the UK.

JAPANESE POWER TRIO

Guitar, Vocals: Keiji Haino & Kan Mikami, Percussion: Toshiaki Ishizuka. Together they are Vajra. Live 2007 is their "first live album by the Japanese rock power trio to end all power trios." This presents the group at a thrilling peak of their rock deconstruction-reconstruction praxis, one of those all too rare manifestations of the sublime music. Mikami is in top blues testifying form, his voice a thing of cracked beauty and weathered power. Haino and Ishizuka infuse the songs with telepathic engagement constant layered motion, percussive blast-bombs and eruptions of black lava." This is a limited edition of 1,000 in mini-LP style paper-sleeve. Due April 14.

BEAUTIFUL IMAGINATION

Eric Matthews' The Imagination Stage "marks a return to glorious form, but it charts a stirring departure from the pop norm. Conscious craft drawn from a subconscious spark." Music conjured from "a deeper, more mysterious place," as he puts it. Dream pop in the truest sense of the phrase. Matthews, one half of the legendary duo Cardinal, wrote and sang every gleaming note and glistening melody, played every instrument, and arranged every chord progression and horn chart. He also brought strings back into the fold, as well as producer-engineer Tony Lash, who's worked with Matthews since his Cardinal days. The alchemy adds up to a lavish, louvered cathedral of sound inhabited by a breathtaking collection of finely etched portraits - liars and lovers, geniuses and fools, all presented with remarkable clarity, range and depth." Due April 28.

TWO MEN WITH THE BLUES

Blue Note will release a live album 'Two Men With The Blues' by Willie Nelson and Wynton Marsalis. This show was part of the Jazz At Lincoln Centre series held at Rose Hall in New York. This performance was on August 31, last year. Due July 8.

NEW SANDY DENNY COLLECTION

Sandy Denny's 'The Music Weaver: Sandy Denny Remembered' (2 CD) is the first ever definitive cross-label anthology celebrating the work of Sandy Denny and is timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of her untimely death. "Music Weaver contains 36 songs including rare demos, album tracks and live BBC recordings." As well as containing the cream of Sandy's solo work, there are choice cuts from when she fronted Fairport Convention and Fotheringay and her collaborations with Led Zeppelin (on the Battle of Evermore from Led Zeppelin IV) and Strawbs." Due April 28.

RED HOT BURRITOS

Flying Burrito Brothers and Last of the Red Hot Burritos will be issued as a 2 for 1 CD by Australia's Raven label. "These albums are the last two that ex-Byrd and Burritos co-founder Chris Hillman produced with the band. For 'Last of the Red Hot Burritos' the band added a significant bluegrass component as displayed on blazing versions of 'Orange Blossom Special' and 'Dixie Breakdown'.

In addition there are four Parsons-era classics ('Devil in Disguise', 'My Uncle', 'High Fashion Queen', 'Hot Burrito #2') and rocked up country and soul covers ('Six Days on the Road', 'Don't Fight It', 'Losing Game') which only add to the album's appeal. This top value 2-for-1 CD includes two rare Bonus Tracks: 'Here Tonight' with ex-Byrd Gene Clark plus the original 45-RPM version of 'Tried so Hard', also featuring Clark, which has likewise never been issued on CD before. Due April 21.

COUNTRY CHIP

Chip Taylor's 'Angels & Gamblers: Best Of 1971-1979 is to be released on the Raven label. "For the first time on CD, Raven presents a definitive multi-label compilation from Chip Taylor. This collection examines the New York singer songwriter's work from 1971 to 1979 - 23 essential tracks culled from eight albums originally released by Buddah, Warner, Columbia and Capitol - a fertile period that found him accepted as a peer of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and John Prine and a prime architect of the burgeoning genre 'Americana' scene." Due April 24.

SAME OLD ALBUM

John Hiatt has a new album Same Old Man due May 27. Possibly for the first time since CDs, Hiatt will simultaneously release a 180 gm vinyl version. Hiatt's daughter, Lilly, harmonizes on vocals on a couple of songs.

DYLAN'S EURO TOUR 1995

Look for a new Bob Dylan 5CD set. "1995 European Tour" compiles tapes from Prague in March of '95 plus tracks from the touring trail in Brighton, Paris, Edinburgh, Manchester and London.

LED ZEP IN DORTMUND

Wendy Records next Led Zeppelin release will be "Tour Over Dortmund 1980" which will utilize the soundbaord tape from June 17, 1980.

New album by The Raconteurs, Consolers Of The Lonely, will be released Mar 25 in CD and vinyl format. It contains 14 new recordings and is being released globally on Third Man Records in conjunction with XL Recordings and Warner Brothers. On the band's website, the album will be sold in its entirety as an mp3 at 320kb bit rate. But they recommend you listen to their preferred version, the LP... the record.

WHERE'S THE PLAIN BROWN ENVELOPE EDITION?

This 14th studio album, Accelerate, from the veteran indie rockers R.E.M. is the follow-up to 2004's 'Around The Sun'. "The brusquest, most amped-up and aggressive album they have made in decades, the 11 songs on 'Accelerate' flash by in a scant 34 minutes and mark a return to the harder post-punk sounds of their pre-major label days, whilst not disregarding the infectious melodies that have made their name." Cover all bases with the hype.

Includes the single 'Supernatural Superserious'. It will be on sale as a CD for £11.99 2) CD+DVD for £19.99 [DVD includes: 1) 6 Days 48min documentary, 2) 'Red Head Walking' and 3) 'Airliner'] and 3) A US Import 2 x 180 Gram Vinyl with CD. The CD disc of the album is in a plain white paper sleeve. All released on March 31.

ONLY LOVE

Love's 'Forever Changes' (40th Anniversary 2CD Set) presents on CD1 the original album, remastered [again?]. Disc Two features over 77 minutes of additional tracks, most of them previously unreleased. Bonus material includes an alternate mix of the entire album, previously unissued except for the stand-out closing track, "You Set The Scene." Also features 10 additional tracks including previously unreleased outtakes of "Wonder People (Do I Wonder)" and "Wooly Bully," a mono remix of "Alone Again Or," tracking sessions highlights from "The Red Telephone" and more. The Deluxe DigiPak features a special collector's edition o-card plus a 20-page book with rare photos and new liner notes. Released on April 28. Forever Changes was reissued in a remastered edition in 1997. That edition included seven extra tracks including the then unreleased Wonder People. Deja vu?

OTIS OTHAT

Otis Redding's 'Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings will be reissued as a deluxe 2CD edition. Both albums will have both mono and stereo versions, along with rare and previously unreleased bonus gems. Released on April 28.

10CDs OF DEAD AT WINTERLAND

'Winterland 1973' (The Complete Recordings) (10 CD Version) by The Grateful Dead is coming in April or May. The shows are: November 9 to 11 and Cincinnati Gardens - December 4, 1973. "Winterland 1973: The Complete Recordings captures the Dead during one of their peak years and absolutely at the top of their game. Spread over nine discs, it includes every note of three complete consecutive shows (save for the encore of November 9, which was not recorded), so there's plenty here to satisfy every fan: magnificent jams on "Dark Star" (which sprawls to 35 minutes), "Playing in the Band," "Eyes of the World," the still-new "Weather Report Suite" and more; kick-ass rockers of every variety ("Sugar Magnolia," "Casey Jones," "Johnny B. Goode," "Truckin'," et al); haunting ballads including "China Doll," "Stella Blue" and "To Lay Me Down"; a truly spectacular "China Cat"; and the first of just three versions ever of the dazzling sequence of "Playing in the Band" > "Uncle John's Band" > "Morning Dew" > "Uncle John's" reprise > "Playing" reprise. The beautifully designed box also comes with a colorful booklet containing scads of great photos and a fine essay by Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally." All this for £99.99 (plus £2.00 p&p/UK).

STREET SURVIVORS AT 30

Ronnie Van Zant considered Street Survivors Lynyrd Skynyrd's greatest achievement. A year in the making, the album was recorded twice. Now, on the two-CD Street Survivors - Deluxe Edition - 30th Anniversary released March 4, 2008, the previously unreleased first version debuts alongside the incendiary final studio album from the original Lynyrd Skynyrd issued in 1977.

The first version was recorded at Miami's Criteria Studios in winter 1976 and spring 1977 with producer Tom Dowd. But, dissatisfied with the results, Skynyrd returned that summer to Studio One in Atlanta, where "Free Bird" and "Sweet Home Alabama" had been recorded, and produced the released version themselves.

The package also features the never-before-issued last known recordings of the band, five songs performed live at a Fresno, CA concert less than two months before the group's famously tragic plane crash.

LOST LEE

Peggy Lee - The Lost '40s And '50s Capitol Master [2CD] has "39 tracks of Peggy Lee from the Capitol vaults, not one of which has ever been on CD and 13 of which have never been released, all mastered from the original tapes in original mono. Comes with detailed annotation and fabulous period pictures." Released April 4 for £19.99.

VINYL BOOT ON COLORED WAX

Just issued on the Porlaphone Label is The Beatles "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - Collector's Edition" on colored vinyl (red or blue). It contains alternate tracks, original psychedelic inner sleeve by "The Fool" and utilizes the full Sgt. Pepper photography.

According to Melodicrock.com, Journey's new studio album, "Revelations", will be released in June exclusively via Wal-Mart stores. The CD will be released in a package set that will include a live DVD filmed on March 8, 2008 in Las Vegas. Rumors of a third disc in the package featuring the band's biggest hits re-recorded in late 2007 are still unconfirmed. The band featured three new songs in their Vegas set - "Wildest Dreams", "Never Walk Away" and "After All These Years".

MORE JOY COMING

A 2CD Joy Division compilation is coming March 24 from Warner. The first CD is all the radio-friendly JD songs including Love Will Tear Us Apart. The second CD will contain the already-released John Peel sessions from Jan 31 and Nov 26 of 1979 plus an interview with Ian Curtis and Stephen Morris. If you can't wait, buy the current Joy Division The Complete BBC Recordings released in 2000 on the Strange Fruit label.

SUPREMES RARITIES

On March 14, Hip-O Select releases a 40-track 2-CD set "Diana Ross & The Supremes - Let The Music Play: Supreme Rarities 1960-69 (Motown Lost & Found)". "The Supremes recorded constantly, especially in their hit-making years. Discovered from that time are covers of I Saw Him Standing There, Mickey's Monkey, MacArthur Park, It's Not Unusual and more, plus extraordinary alternate versions of familiar hits, as well as several tracks that provide unique glimpses into Diana Ross' working process. Included where available is unheard studio chatter from the girls and their producers." There are alternate vocal takes for Love Child, You Can't Hurry Love, Back In My Arms Again and others. Limited edition of 5,000 copies.

BEST OF CURVED AIR

Specially compiled for Repertoire by Curved Air's Sonja Kristina, the new Best Of Curved Air 2CD set is the most comprehensive compilation available today. Includes full colour booklet and features a superb cross-section of tracks from Curved Air's classic albums and singles, plus solo tracks from Sonja Kristina. Released May 5.

RARE OLLIE HALSALL

'Abbots Langley' the new album will have previously unreleased songs by the late Ollie Halsall (ex-Patto, Tempest, Grimms, Kevin Ayers). It is said to reveal a man of songwriting talent to go with his acclaimed mastery of the guitar. The cover illustration comes from Ollie's archive, notes by former colleague John Otway. Due soon.

ACID FEST

'Acid Mothers Temple Festival Volume 5' (DVD) is the live footage of the full concert of AMT Fest. vol 5 (Dec 2006) in Nagoya Japan featuring Mani Neumeier (drums, percussion, voice from Guru Guru), Kuriyama Jun (voice: ex-Ox) as well as Tsuyama Atsushi (monster bass, voice, recorder, guitar), Higashi Hiroshi (synth, guitar, voice), Kawabata Makoto (guitar, voice), Kitagawa Hao (voice), and Tabata Mitsuru (freak out). A region free - limited one time pressing of 1000 copies only. Released March 24 for £12.99, cheep.

JUDY GARLAND IN A 2CD BOX

Judy Garland: Classic and Previously Unreleased Recordings 1929-1956 [2CD] is now scheduled for May 2008. "Authored by Lawrence Schulman, who contributes the liner notes in French and English, and under the artistic direction of Benjamin Goldenstein, the box set includes 40 studio and radio recordings, 25 of which have never before been issued, as well as a brochure of over 40 pages that includes numerous rare photos and a detailed discography. Culled from archives from around the world, transferred in New York by renowned engineer Jon Samuels and remastered in Paris by Art & Son Studio, the set will be available at French retailers and the Frémeaux & Associés website (http://fremeaux.com/)."

F**KIN' GREAT JOAN BAEZ

The next Joan Baez album will be produced by Steve Earle and it's due hopefully by September. Earle is his usual exuberant mood called the music "a really, really good record. It's a f***in' great record, man." Earle contributes three songs including Jericho Road which is on his album, Washington Square Serenade.

STRANGE APPLE

Arriving soon on the Strange Apple Record Label is The Beatles' "Get Back" 3CD plus bonus DVD-R that features the theatrical version of the Let It Be Film, the audio discs feature two different 1969 mixes of the Let It Be LP and a 1970 mix. When will the Beatles reissue Let It Be, the film, on DVD?

Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails has a new all instrumental album Ghosts to be distributed in a number of ways, the most popular being for free. Firstly, if you want it free, you can go to http://ghosts.nin.com/main/order_options and follow the links where you can download Ghosts 1 for free. Under this arrangement, you will get the first nine tracks from the Ghosts I-IV collection available as high-quality, DRM-free MP3s, including the complete book in PDF format.

If you pay US$5, you get access to all 36 tracks in a variety of digital formats including a 40 page PDF ie Ghosts I-IV. You can choose from high quality MP3s up to 320 kbps or lossless FLAC or Apple lossless. The files arrive in a zip file you have to unpack.

For US$10, you get the whole album as a 2CD digipak with a 16-page booklet. This will be shipped April 8. In the meantime, you can also get the zip file immediately with the full album in lossless format if you so wish.

Rich kids can opt for the US$75 Deluxe Edition with the 2CDs in a hardcover fabric package plus bonus DVD and Blu-ray disc.

There is also a US$300 Ultra-Deluxe set which includes a 4-LP 180gm vinyl version plus everything the Deluxe Edition has to offer. This is limited to 2,500 units and all numbered and signed by Reznor.

Reznor has parted company with his record label.

SENSITIVE THURSTON MOORE

Sensitive/Lethal is Thurston Moore in deep basement cosmosis. Investigations into acoustic guitar as noise instrument as well as noise/amp discussion for a hopeful and bright blackness. Childhood dreams of noise essayed with photos of unsuspecting innocents running from noise weirdo (front cover) and Texas blues albino drug zap (Johnny Winter - still alive and well detail - back cover). This is the story told in drone meditation and sweet slice. On No Fun Records due March 31.

STONES SHINE A LIGHT

The new live Rolling Stones album Shine A Light has a release date of April 7. "Shine a Light" was recorded Oct 29 and Nov 1, 2006, at New York's Beacon Theatre. Among the guests are Buddy Guy, Jack White and Christina Aguilera. The 2CD version has the entire concert as seen on Martin Scorsese's documentary of the same name.

FEAT OF CLAY

Cassius Clay's 'I Am The Greatest!' is "hilarious, insightful, and wise... a moment of history captured forever! As a bonus, this CD includes the stunning take on Ben E. King's 'Stand By Me', an idea conceived by the great Sam Cooke, where Mohammed Ali [Cassius Clay] shows he could have been a contender in the charts too! In the specially prepared stereo remix done exclusively for the Rev-Ola release." Released March 31.

EURO PUBLIC DOMAIN RELEASES

Some new titles coming out of Europe are boxsets at low prices of classic artists whose works are now in the public domain ie copy-free. There is Woody Guthrie's This Machine Kills Fascists [3CD] which includes Dust Bowl Blues, This Land Is Your Land and Tom Joad Pt 1 and 2. There is also a 3CD Hank Williams set, Setting The Woods On Fire and a Leadbell triple CD set, The Definitive Leadbelly. On the Snapper label at £11.99 each.

THE CARTER FAMILY'S ACME SESSIONS

A new 2CD set of the Carter Family's Acme Sessions 1952-1956 [2CD] features the husband and wife team plus their two children Joe and Jeanette recording for sharp-talking preacher cum businessman, Clifford Spurlock's Acme label. "The four year venture wasn't a great commercial success because the Carters were by then out of step with the changing country music scene and the early salvos of rock 'n' roll. Nevertheless, musically they still cut the mustard, reprising some of their earlier successes mixed with new compositions in the old tradition. This hitherto unheralded part of The Carter Family's history is fully documented by this 2CD set." On sale Mar 3. This is also a public domain release on JSP.

NEW CARLY SIMON IN APRIL

This Kind Of Love is the new Carly Simon album on her new label Starbuck's Hear Music. It will be 10 tracks of all-new Simon compositions. Due Apr 29.

SOME VELVET MORNING

As their next installment of the ongoing Genuine Bootleg Series, Scorpio has announced that the next feature will be a Velvet Underground 3CD set that will include the 1967 Gymnasium soundboard from master source tape and NOT from bit torrent downloads, other highlights to be included are approximately 1 hour of uncirculated material from the Quine tapes including both rehearsals and an uncirculated 1969 show, uncirculated demos and upgraded acetates. The set is yet untitled but will be limited to 500 copies worldwide.

COMPLETE DYLAN AT NEW YORK TOWN HALL 1963

Just announced from Hollow Horn is Bob Dylan's "Stolen Moments", the complete 1963 New York Town Hall performance in stunning quality in deluxe gatefold package with 8-page booklet.

FIRST BLU-RAY DVD BOOTLEG?

Third Eye Productions has offered an extremely limited Blu-Ray HD DVD version of their Led Zeppelin 02 Arena Reunion production that has been upgraded with enhanced audio. A professional studio engineer spent two days working with the Schoeps audience source for this Blu-Ray edition. Only 50 copies available.

NICK CAVE'S LAZARUS DIG

Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds' Dig Lazarus Dig is his 14th studio album. It "transports the biblical character of the title to contemporary New York, as well as drawing inspiration from escapologist Harry Houdini. Featuring the majority of his usual personnel in The Bad Seeds (including violinist Warren Ellis and organist/pianist Conway Savage), 'Dig, Lazarus, Dig' displays a rawer, more garage-inspired rock sound closer to Cave's side-project Grinderman." There is a Limited Edition CD/Book for £12.99 (Containing 54 page booklet with lyrics, writings and photos). A vinyl edition is also offered. On sale March 3.

WHAT IF?

A new compilation of material from '70s band If, What Did I Say About The Box Jack?, is out Mar 3. The tracks were chosen in consultation with If saxophonist and composer Dave Quincy, with material taken from early Seventies' studio and 'live' albums. They represent the many facets of the band's style and include some of their most popular numbers, such as 'Waterfall', 'Forgotten Roads' and 'Child Of Storm'. Imaginative lyrics and strong arrangements are spiced with inspired instrumental solos from guitar virtuoso Terry Smith and the late tenor sax and flute player Dick Morrissey. Out on Repertoire. Music journalist Chris Welch did the liner notes and includes an interview with Quincy.

STAMPING GROUND