more year-end, more opinions
Two more year-end features roll out today: The Year in Reissues by Michaelangelo Matos and Philip Sherburne’s list of the 12 Best Dance Singles of 2007. Both pieces highlight some great records that may have gotten lost in what I’m referring to as “The ‘07 Shuffle.” And with these pieces comes a question for you…
What’s your #1 most desired reissue? Do you have one? Is there a record that’s been out-of-print for years that you’re dying to get your hands on? Or a record that exists in CD form that’s in desperate need of remastering? For the longest time my #1 wish was a proper reissuing of the Sly & the Family Stone catalog, but this year brought that (and put a dent in my wallet), so now my #1 reissue wish:
The Pop Group, For How Much Longer Will We Tolerate Mass Murder.
The Pop Group’s debut, Y, is the one that gets talked about most (with good reason), and consequently it’s the one that’s been most frequently reissued. I have a soft spot, though, for the follow-up. Sonically, it’s a mess: a weirdo outre melange of reggae and dub and post-punk with Mark Stewart’s maniacal howling entering and fading without reason or warning. It was on CD for about twenty seconds in the ’90s, but only in Japan (I think). I’ve repeatedly balked at shelling out the money for it on eBay, but I did break down and buy a vinyl version for about $30 a few years ago. Still, though: is there no one who will chase down the rights to this and get it back in circulation? Or, failing that, how about You Can’t Hide Your Love Forever by Orange Juice?
Dennis Wilson’s Pacific Ocean Blue. I’ve only heard a song or two, but it’s supposed to be an amazing lost gem. I read that Beach Boys infighting keeps it from being reissued.
Dude, I love that record.
That M. Matos reissue wrap-up is great, BTW.
I agree!
Pearl Harbour’s “Don’t Follow Me, I’m Lost Too”
Bram Tchaikovsky’s “Strange Man, Changed Man”
And the Walkabouts’ “Nighttown” should never be out of print.
Also:
The Yachts’ self-titled album (big influence on the Futureheads)
And the Method Actors (Athens contemporaries of REM, Pylon, etc) should be digitally anthologized.
First two that popped into my mind:
Gang of Four — Songs of the Free
The Feelies — Crazy Rhythms
I’d just be happy to get liner notes for the stuff here.