New Releases - 1/5/24

Hitting The Racks

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

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

America - Now Playing LP LP (Rhino)

Brand new compilation of the band’s essential tracks released as part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right series (SYEOR) on limited edition coke bottle clear vinyl.

The Babys - Live at the Bottom Line 1979 CD (Omnivore)

Previously unissued performance recorded live at New York's legendary Bottom Line. Recorded on the Head First tour, the show contains three new-at-the-time songs making their official debut including an early version of Union Jacks' "Anytime". Featuring the hits "Every Time I Think Of You," "Head First," and "Isn't It Time”.

Lou Donaldson - Midnight Creeper LP (Blue Note)

Blue Note Tone Poet Series release. Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson hadn't recorded for Blue Note since 1963 when he returned to the label in 1967 and began a new chapter in his lengthy career. Sweet Papa Lou had helped lay Blue Note's soul jazz foundation alongside Hammond B3 organists including Jimmy Smith, Baby Face Willette, and Big John Patton going back to the late-1950s thru the early-60s on standout dates including his own Here 'Tis, Good Gracious!, and The Natural Soul. Upon his return Donaldson pushed ahead with a new hard-grooving sound on 1967's Alligator Bogaloowhich was the first of his many collaborations with organ virtuoso Lonnie Smith and also featured the young guitar star George Benson and the impossibly funky drummer Leo Morris (aka Idris Muhammad). On Mr. Shing-A-Ling he added the bluesy trumpeter Blue Mitchell to the mix, and for 1968's soul jazz manifesto Midnight Creeper he got the whole gang back together for a greasy 6-song set including the jaunty title track, "Love Power," "Bag of Jewels," and "Dapper Dan."

The Doors - Alive, She Cried LP (Elektra)

40th Anniversary reissue of the classic Doors live album, part of Rhino’s Start Your Ear Off Right (SYEOR) series. Limited edition clear vinyl.

Elvin Jones - Poly-Currents LP (Blue Note)

Blue Note Tone Poet Series release. After his six years with the seminal John Coltrane Quartet, the master drummer Elvin Jones signed with Blue Note in 1968 and began building his own career as a bandleader. His first two albums for the label were spare trio outings—Puttin’ It Together and The Ultimate—both featuring saxophonist Joe Farrell and bassist Jimmy Garrison. For his next album—1969’s unfettered post-bop exploration Poly-Currents—Jones expanded his ensemble with additional woodwinds and percussion while still maintaining spacious realms for the musicians to delve into on modal band member originals including “Agenda,” Agappe Love,” “Mr. Jones,” and “Whew.” Jones is joined throughout by a cast that includes Farrell on tenor saxophone, English horn, and flutes, George Coleman on tenor saxophone, Pepper Adams on baritone saxophone, Fred Tompkins on flute, Wilbur Little on bass, and Cuban conguero Candido Camero.

Lil Peep - Live Forever LP/CD (Death Note Music)

Live Forever is the second solo mixtape by American singer/rapper Lil Peep. It was first released on December 2, 2015, two months after his first mixtape, Lil Peep; Part One. The mixtape was preceded by two singles: "Flannel" and "Haunt U", and three additional singles were issued posthumously. The mixtape was later re-released on the seventh anniversary of the mixtape's release in 2022.

Melanie Martinez - After School LP (Atlantic)

Indie store exclusive orchid splatter vinyl reissue of this EP from 2020.

Paramore - Paramore 2xLP (Atlantic)

10th Anniversary reissue of Paramore’s self-titled on 2 black vinyl LPs.

The Velvet Underground - Live at Max’s Kansas City 2xLP (Atlantic)

SYEOR series reissue of this expanded version of the Velvet Underground’s intimate live LP on limited edition magenta vinyl.

Yes - Yes LP (Atlantic)

SYEOR series reissue of Yes’s debut LP on limited edition cobalt blue vinyl.

Will Orman