It’s a psychedelic smorgasbord this summer and fall as Record Store Day puts an unusually savory spread of the devil’s music, spread over a trio of drop dates.
Psychedelic and underground sounds re-emerge from artists including the Yardbirds, the Rolling Stones, Jerry Garcia, Hawkwind, Jimi Hendrix and Sun Ra.
Titles listed in PsychSight’s curated preview are on vinyl and will be offered as Record Store Day exclusives, unless noted.
Update: “RSD Drops” are set for record stores on Aug. 29, Sept. 26 and Oct. 24. (The actual RSD was twice postponed due to the coronavirus.) See the latest RSD release dates.
The Yardbirds: 1966 saw the first wave of psychedelic music, categorized at the time as … uncategorizable. No one put the year’s zeitgeist sounds together on album as well as the Yardbirds, who cast aside the rave-ups of earlier releases for a brew of druggie bait, Indian-influenced jams, Gregorian chants and the just plain odd. “Roger The Engineer: Stereo & Mono” presents the original (UK) album in mono, followed on a second disc with stereo recordings from that year, including the big-bang track “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago” and “Psycho Daisies.” That’s Jeff Beck on guitar. “Pressed on 180 gram heavyweight white vinyl.” Two discs from Demon Music Group BBC Worldwide. 1,500 copies.
The Rolling Stones: You got the silver; you got the gold. But do you have a hand-mixed vinyl pour of 1969’s “Let it Bleed”? Of course not. So queue up for one of 900 copies of the classic Stones album, each piece “unique in design” after being “handcrafted on the press.” Via ABKCO. Also: “Metamorphosis UK.” The first official Stones rarities collection, designed to beat the boots. Outtakes and demos. Key tracks include “Out of Time,” “Memo From Turner” and “I Don’t Know Why.” Dates back to 1975. On hunter green vinyl and including an iron-on T-shirt transfer of the Kafkaesque album artwork.
Jerry Garcia: Captain Trips returned to his roots in his solo works, playing lots of folk, bluegrass and blues. And some of those Dead-like grooves. The five-LP set “The Very Best of Jerry Garcia” explores his studio work from 1972-1982 with key tracks including “Deal,” “The Wheel” and “Run For the Roses.” The final three discs cover live material up to 1990. From ATO Records. Also: The Grateful Dead’s “Buffalo 5/9/77,” another five-disc heavyweight. Listen for “Comes a Time,” “Help on the Way” and a sidelong “Ship of Fools.” Rhino.
Frank Zappa: Perfs from 1969 to 1984, hand picked by Zappa as a sampler for his “You Can’t Do That On Stage Anymore” installment. This rerelease mastered by Bernie Grundman. Pressed on separate 180 gram red and yellow transparent vinyl discs. Tuneage includes “Plastic People,” “King Kong” and “The Torture Never Stops.” Via UME. RSD first.
Hawkwind: The classic “Space Ritual”-era band captured live “At the BBC 1972.” Key tracks include “Born to Go” and “Master of the Universe.” Two bonus tracks. Via Parlophone. Also: “Quark, Strangeness & Charm” from 1977. Hawkwind rides the new wave with Robert Calvert. Bonus disc with alternate session takes. Via Atomhenge. RSD first.
The Doors: Record Store Day perennials the Doors return with the vinyl debut of “The Soft Parade: Stripped.” Say goodbye to the horns and strings you loved or hated back in the day. Some new guitar parts by Robby Krieger. Limited and numbered. From Rhino/Elektra.
Band of Gypsys: Celebrate the half-century anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s psychedelic funk band with the single “Message to Love” b/w “Changes.” Both live, of course. New artwork. On 7 inches of red and yellow splattered vinyl.
The Residents: “Icky Flix: The Original Soundtrack Recording.” In 2000, the Residents rerecorded some of their primo work to accompany the DVD music-video comp “Icky Flix.” Here is that alternate soundtrack, 20 “songs” spread over two LPs. Orange and yellow vinyl from the New Ralph label.
Various artists: “The Land of Sensations & Delights: The Psych Pop Sounds of White Whale Records, 1965-1970.” “Alternative ’60s hits and rarities” from the L.A. label best known for the Turtles. Jim Ford, JK & Co., The Clique, Nino Tempo and April Stevens, Lyme and Cybelle (Warren Zevon band) … Two LPs from Craft Recordings.
Canned Heat: The psychedelic bluesmen of Topanga return with a collection of “rare tracks, some unreleased, spanning 50-plus years.” “Record Store Day Party With Canned Heat” includes “Reefer Blues,” “Saturday Night Fish Fry” and “Bullfrog Blues.” Translucent blue vinyl. RSD first. Also: A retelling of “Hooker ‘N Heat,” two LPs from Culture Factory.
The Who: The beloved “Odds and Sods” returns in a double-LP release. “One of the very first ‘rarities’ collections.” Compiled by bassist John Entwistle for release in 1974. Original album (red vinyl) on disc 1, then 14 bonus tracks (yellow). Restored original die-cut front sleeve. Key tracks: “Pure and Easy,” “Dogs Part 2,” and the long version of “The Seeker.” UME. RSD first.
“A Quick Live One”: The Who’s blistering set from the Monterey International Pop Festival. First time on vinyl. Red/white/blue striped pressing. Includes the title track, “Happy Jack” and “Pictures Of Lily.” Label listed as the Monterey International Pop Festival Foundation.
The Kinks: Out of print for decades, the double-LP comp “The Kink Kronikles” mashes together hits, album tracks, U.S.-only versions and non-album singles. Key tracks on the 1972 set include “Victoria,” “David Watts,” “Fancy,” “Death of a Clown.” On BMG.
Roger Waters: “The Wall: Live in Berlin.” Recorded with 500,000 fans looking on just after the fall of the real Wall in 1990. Includes Van Morrison, the Band. Double LP cut at Abbey Road studios. Pressed on 180 gram clear-colored vinyl. Via UME. RSD first.
Pink Floyd: “Arnold Layne.” The “last live performance of the song by Pink Floyd with David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright” in 2007. From the Syd Barrett Tribute Concert in London. 7-inch vinyl with etching on back. Via Legacy. RSD first.
Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets: “See Emily Play” recorded live and paired with a cover of the Pink Floyd outtake “Vegetable Man.” 12-inch vinyl with an etching on the back.
Gong: “Live! at Sheffield 1974” in a double-LP set. Key tracks include “Crystal Gnome” and “Flying Tea-Pot.” Previously available as an import CD praised for its sound quality. From Culture Factory.
The Comet Is Coming: Look, up in the sky — it’s Shabaka Hutchings and his mates. What’s happening in space jazz and space rock seems to emanate from the British saxophonist’s shop. For RSD, look for a 12-inch single with a new track, “Imminent.” Backed with a Noss DJ remix of “Super Zodiac.”
Tangerine Dream: The dream weavers meet William Blake. “Tyger” didn’t do much for fans, as it introduced vocals to the mix. Judge for yourself. Four tracks. Culture Factory.
Lothar and the Hand People: “Machines; Amherst 1969.” “Recently unearthed final performance of the iconic theremin rock pioneers.” Lothar was the machine and the Hand People were the musicians, based in New York. Includes “some completely unheard compositions.” From Modern Harmonic. Also on CD.
Emerson, Lake & Palmer: Debut on vinyl of “Live At Waterloo Field, Stanhope, New Jersey, U.S.A., 31st July.” Single disc (flame colored) with key tracks including “Karn Evil 9,” “Black Moon,” “From the Beginning.” Via BMG.
Sun Ra: “Egypt ’71.” Box set delivers “a definitive package celebrating Sun Ra’s iconic trip to the Land of Ra.” Recorded in Cairo and Heliopolis. Includes the albums “Horizon,” “Nidhamu” and “Dark Myth Visitation Equation” as well as two LPs of unreleased Ra in Egypt. All debuting on vinyl. Via Strut. “Limited run, regional focus.”
Miles Davis: “Double Image: Rare Miles From the Complete ‘Bitches Brew’ Sessions.” “Ten embryonic recordings which paved the way for the final (psychedelic fusion) album.” Tracks are “issued for the first time as a standalone release.” Opaque red vinyl. Via Legacy.
Philip Glass: “Koyaanisqatsi” the movie was a big deal way back when, capturing the turmoil of modernity — “life out of balance.” This double-LP set marks the soundtrack’s debut on vinyl. Performed by the Philip Glass Ensemble “along with a full roster of studio musicians.” From Orange Mountain Music. Also: “The Essential.” Five LPs of Glass works. “Available on vinyl for the first time as a limited and numbered edition.” Includes highlights from “Einstein on the Beach.” Via Classical Music on Vinyl.
Ravi Shankar: “Chants of India.” 1997 collaboration with George Harrison. Recorded in India and England. Double red-vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve. Dark Horse Records/BMG.
Dr. John: “Remedies” LP, pressed on “Mardi Gras splatter-colored vinyl.” The third album, still featuring the voodoo-inspired Night Tripper persona. Produced by Tom Dowd. Key tracks: “Loop Garoo” and “Mardi Gras Day.” Psych elements “undoubtedly inspired by his then-recent stint in a psych ward.” Via Get on Down. RSD first.
Also of interest:
Lennon/Ono With the Plastic Ono Band: “Instant Karma!” The “2020 ultimate mix.” 7-inch vinyl via UME (Capitol).
Paul McCartney: Half-speed mastered version of the cute Beatle’s first solo LP. UME (Capitol).
Humble Pie: “Official Bootleg Collection Vol. 2.” Live, 1971-81. Double LPs via HNE.
Groundhogs: “Split.” Double LP with bonus tracks on red vinyl. Proto-punk trio. Fire Records.
Various artists: “Psyché France Vol. 6 (1960-70).” “Mavericks and lost heroes.” Rhino.
Various artists: “Rough Guide to Brazilian Psychedelia.” World Music Network.
Ennio Morricone: “Peur Sur La Ville” soundtrack. Double LP with bonus tracks debuting on vinyl on disc 2. WeWantSounds.
Various artists: “Double Whammy! A 1960s Garage Rave-Up.” The Music Machine, Count Five, etc. Blue vinyl. Craft Recordings.
New Riders of the Purple Sage: “Field Trip.” Live. “Long out of print” and “from the master reels.” Omnivore Recordings.
Allan Holdsworth: “Road Games.” 1983 album, scarce on vinyl. Bonus track with Jack Bruce. Manifesto.
Various artists: “Girls in the Garage Vol. 8.” “Pressed on 180g light pink vinyl.” Past & Present.
Cradle: “The History.” Formerly the Pleasure Seekers. Detroit rock. Modern Harmonic. CD.
Soundtrack: “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” First time on vinyl. Via Hollywood.
There are other things to get excited about in other genres — we mostly deal in psychedelics and ’60s stuff here — so check out the full 2020 Record Store Day list.