Say good riddance to 2020 with a joyful noise. Psychedelic music lovers are rewarded for their perseverance with expanded treats from Iron Butterfly, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, the Doors and King Crimson.
Also coming for the holiday-festooned quarter are releases from Pink Floyd, the Grateful Dead, Greg Lake, Sun Ra and Frank Zappa.
Iron Butterfly: “Newly remastered” seven-CD set from the SoCal psychedelic rockers. “All of the albums and singles” recorded for Atco taken from the original master tapes. Two discs of live recordings from the Fillmore East in April 1968 (previously out on Rhino Handmade). Twenty-five bonus tracks. “True” mono mixes of “Heavy” and “Live.” This appears to be the most ambitious collection of Iron Butterfly’s music to date — a band seemingly lost to the shadows of its signature jam, “In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.” Features a “lavishly illustrated booklet with a new essay featuring interviews with (drummer) Ron Bushy and (late period guitarist) Mike Pinera.” Esoteric Recordings import, due Nov. 27.
The Doors: The half-century celebration continues as “Morrison Hotel” checks in with a triple-disc edition. The two CD/one LP set includes a newly remastered version of the album by longtime engineer and mixer Bruce Botnick. The album comes expanded with more than an hour of outtakes (late 1969-early 1970). The outtakes consist of 19 tracks, notably tracking the evolution of “Queen of the Highway,” which began life in the “Soft Parade” sessions. Due Oct. 9 via Elektra.
Jimi Hendrix Experience: The multidisc set “Live in Maui” chronicles the guitar master’s visit to the Haleakala volcano via music and a documentary about the experience. The film “Music, Money, Madness … Jimi Hendrix In Maui” tells of the two shows performed in the shadow of the volcano as well as Hendrix’s involvement in the ill-fated “Rainbow Bridge” movie. Separate audio of the two Jimi Hendrix Experience shows mixed by Eddie Kramer and mastered by Bernie Grundman. Vinyl and CD versions with Blu-ray. Via Sony Legacy, Nov. 20.
The 13th Floor Elevators: Previously only available as part of the “Music Of the Spheres” box set, here comes the first official mono vinyl reissue of “Easter Everywhere” since 1967. Worth the price for the barnstorming 8 minute kickoff of “Slip Inside This House.” Two-LP set concludes with the 2009 stereo remaster. Charly Records import, Oct. 2.
Jethro Tull: Acoustic Sounds unleashes a Ultra High Quality Record version of “Aqualung.” It’s a “stereo 45 RPM 200-gram double LP release limited to 5,000 gold foil numbered copies.” Remastered by Chris Bellman from the original analog master tapes. Part of an audiophile series that includes early Hendrix; it’ll run you $125. Oct. 16. Note: Nearly sold out as of early October.
More Tull: “Nothing Is Easy: Live at the Isle of Wight 1970” captures the “Benefit” lineup playing before a massive festival audience. Key performances include “My Sunday Feeling,” “Dharma for One” and the title track. Previously released on audio and video; this retelling comes as a transparent orange double LP. Via earMusic, Nov. 27.
King Crimson: The gigantic box set “The Complete 1969 Recordings” kicks off, appropriately, with the breakout Hyde Park concert and “21st Century Schizoid Man.” From there, it’s an exhaustive examination of the first King Crimson and its mighty debut album. Twenty CDs, four audio Blu-rays, a DVD and a DVD-A. Includes the “all-new, 2020, Dolby Atmos mix” of “In the Court of the Crimson King” by Steven Wilson. There’s also an expanded version of the “alternate” version of that seminal prog album. “All known” live recordings of the original band, BBC sessions and a CD compilation of Giles, Giles & Fripp material. Blu-rays include surround mixes. DGM, Oct. 23.
Greg Lake: A remarkable career in psychedelic, rock and prog is celebrated in “The Anthology: A Musical Journey.” The bassist and singer is best known for his work in Emerson, Lake & Palmer and King Crimson, as well as the holiday perennial “I Believe In Father Christmas.” Double-CD hardback set and double gatefold vinyl. Book with many tributes to the late UK musician. Via BMG, Nov. 13 or earlier as import.
Pink Floyd: The restored and expanded “Delicate Sound of Thunder” album and concert film resurfaces in CD and vinyl sets. This time it’s a solo repackaging of the material recently offered in the “Later Years” box set. Guitarist David Gilmour worked on the remixes. Restored concert film with 5.1 sound also available separately. Taken from 1987 concert tour not long after the departure of Roger Waters. Via Sony Legacy, Nov. 20.
Roger Waters: Three-LP set “Us + Them” revisits the 2017-18 concert tour by the former Pink Floyd bassist and singer. Lots of Waters’ Floyd stuff. Key tracks include “Breathe,” “Wish You Were Here,” “Another Brick in the Wall” and a sidelong “Dogs.” Also on two CDs and Blu-ray video. Via Sony Legacy, Oct. 2.
Grateful Dead: The 50th anniversary edition of “American Beauty” arrives Oct. 30. The three-CD set comes newly remastered and with a Feb. 18, 1971, concert at the Capitol Theatre. Also on black vinyl and 12-inch picture disc (that appears to be sold out). The many classic tracks include “Box of Rain” and “Friend of the Devil.” Also, a vinyl version of the self-titled debut album as remastered in 2017. Due Oct. 30. And “Anthem of the Sun” in its 1971 mix and 2018 remaster, Oct. 9. Via the Grateful Dead label. Also, “American Beauty: The Angel’s Share” (demos, outtakes, etc.) on digital only Oct. 15.
Sun Ra: “A Fireside Chat With Lucifer” finds the master getting all political in the Reagan era. Key track “Nuclear War” has Ra and trombonist Tryone Hill dropping F-bombs instead of a-bombs — a unique instance of profanity in the vast Ra canon. The title track sprawls across 20 minutes. First reissues on CD or vinyl of the 1983 album. Red vinyl version available. Via Modern Harmonic, November.
Kraftwerk: Parlophone undertakes a massive reissue series for the German man-machine band. Includes “Autobahn” (1974), “Radio-Activity” (1975), “Trans-Europe Express” (1977), “The Man-Machine” (1978) and “Computer World” (1981). Colored vinyl taken from the 2009 remasters. Due Oct. 9. Also, Atlantic plans the career-spanning “The Mix” in a white vinyl double-LP set. TBA.
Small Faces: Into a world badly in need of yet more rereleases of “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake” comes a triple-LP red/white/blue edition. Mono, stereo, alternate versions and mixes. And of course the side-long fractured fairy tale of “Happiness Stan.” Via Charly Records, Nov. 20.
Procol Harum: Revival of the 1977 album “Something Magic” coupled with a BBC live concert recording from the same year. Includes the orchestral sprawl of “The Worm and the Tree.” Double CD version remastered and expanded with 14 bonus tracks. Esoteric Recordings, Oct. 30.
Frank Zappa: “Halloween 81” offers tricks and treats from the Palladium in New York. Six CDs with 78 unreleased live tracks. Includes a “Count Frankula” mask and cheesy cape. Also a highlights CD. Via Zappa Records, Oct. 2.
Various artists: “Living on the Hill: A Danish Underground Trip, 1967-1974” offers nearly four hours of psychedelic and prog selections. Couch lock yourself into the sounds of Alrune Rod, Young Flowers, Ache, Thor’s Hammer and, of course, Secret Oyster. Esoteric Recordings, Oct. 30.
Yes: “The Royal Affair Tour” revisits the band’s portion of a summer 2019 show in Las Vegas. Double LP in tri-gatefold packaging with booklet and cover artwork by Roger Dean. Tracks include “America,” “Roundabout” and “I’ve Seen All Good People.” Via BMG, Oct. 2.
Rhinoceros: Hot-shot producer Paul A. Rothchild put together this L.A. band Monkees style … only hipper. Band was known for the instrumental “Apricot Brandy” and not much else. The underground music act lasted for three albums, all rounded up on “Rhinoceros: The Elektra Albums, 1968-1970.” Esoteric Recordings import, Oct. 30.
Also of interest: John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth” (multiple formats, Universal, Oct. 9) … Funkadelic’s “Hardcore Jollies” and “Uncle Jam Wants You” (Charly Records, just out) … Brian Eno’s “Film Music” (UMC, Nov. 13) … Jon Anderson’s “Song of Seven” (Esoteric, Nov. 27) and “1000 Hands” (Blue Elan) … Chris Squire’s “Fish Out of Water” (5.1 Blu-ray audio and some video, Esoteric, Oct. 30) … The Residents’ “In Between Dreams: Live in San Francisco” (CD & DVD, Cherry Red, Dec. 4) … The Allman Brothers Band’s “Fillmore West: 1-31-71” (Allman Brothers label) … The Flaming Lips’ “American Head” (Warner Bros., just out).
Note: Release dates for vinyl and SACD titles remain fluid until they actually ship. This record roundup will be updated through the quarter. SACDs are all hybrids unless specified otherwise; they’ll work on a CD player not offering advanced resolution. Vinyl (usually 180 gram) unless specified.