2024 was a good year for surround music. Many classic titles from the 1970s in particular have been released on Blu-ray, often in deluxe 50th anniversary boxed sets. Here are some favorites which I have reviewed. If you are interested in ordering these, just click on the titles below which will take you to online sellers.
David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust
The producers aimed to simulate a concert experience in the Dolby Atmos mix of Bowie’s landmark 1972 release. It works, mostly keeping the singer front and center with periodic moments of traversing the virtual stage. Amplifier tones are more apparent, as if you were standing in the first few rows. This new mix is richer, more vibrant and alive than the 2003 SACD 5.1 mix.
Where to buy: $18.19 at Amazon
Deep Purple: Machine Head
Hearing the hard rock classic Machine Head in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and Quad offers many revelations. Producer Dweezil Zappa tastefully immerses the listener with studio ambience, solos and special effects. Interesting to compare, for me the original Quad mix is at times more experimental, aggressive and ultimately satisfying with its levels of immersion.
Where to buy: $79.98 at Amazon
Flaming Lips: Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots
This new Dolby Atmos experience takes the Flaming Lips’ 2003 DVD Audio mix’s discrete immersive joys to new plateaus. A more polished, refined and elegant vision for this music, everything feels smoother without losing definition.
Where to buy: $24.98 at Amazon
Joni Mitchell: The Asylum Albums (1972-1975)
Joni Mitchell’s original 1970s Quadraphonic and new Dolby Atmos mixes are a happy surprise release this year. Curiously, I prefer the higher resolution Quad mixes which are more discrete. Rich and room filling, favorites include The Hissing Of Summer Lawns and Court & Spark plus the previously unreleased quad mix of Joni’s hit live album, Miles Of Aisles.
Where to buy: $79.98 at Rhino Records
Nektar: Remember The Future
The new 5.1 surround Blu-ray of Nektar’s 1973 prog rock classic Remember The Future dramatically improves over the 2004 quad-only SACD. Full and rich, the mix mostly keeps the band upfront, the surrounds saved for solos, harmonies and special effects.
Where to buy: $64.99 at Amazon
War: The World Is A Ghetto
This classic 1972 funk-soul album never sounded great on the very compressed original stereo vinyl so now hearing it opened up into hi-res multi-channel sound is a joy. Classic jams now groove like I’ve never felt before, wondrous dynamics now much more apparent, from percussion to vocals to horns. The World Is a Ghetto in 192 kHz, 24-bit Quad is a revelation!
Where to buy: $24.98 at Amazon
XTC: Skylarking / The Big Express
Steven Wilson’s new Dolby Atmos presentation for XTC’s 1986 pop masterpiece Skylarking delivers new sonic splendors beyond his earlier 5.1 mix. Pro tip: play it loud! Once I pumped up the volume, the spatial experience came to life, from bird tweets and cricket chirps to guitars and vocals shimmering. A lovely immersive experience.
XTC’s under-appreciated 1984 release The Big Express also shines in Wilson’s recent surround remixes. “Train Running Low On Soul Coal” is the stunning demo-worthy centerpiece here, opening complex layers of instrumentation and effects, bringing the listener inside this rock epic.
Where to buy: $30.99 at Amazon (The Big Express) | $29.99 at Amazon (Skylarking)
Yes: Fragile
Steven Wilson expands upon his 2015 5.1 surround vision for this 1971 prog rock landmark in Atmos. Still true to the original album, it offers more studio presence. Height channels fill with interesting detailing such as Steve Howe’s guitar harmonics at the opening of “Roundabout.” Bill Bruford’s percussive textures during “The Fish” percolate more vividly now.
Where to buy: $188 at Amazon
Frank Zappa: apostrophe (‘)
The original Quadraphonic mix of Frank Zappa’s 1974 Top 10 smash hit keeps the band rocking upfront, using the surrounds for periodic accents and overdubbed textures. The 5.1 mix is richer and rounder still, delivering a better sense of the band in the studio. The Atmos mix goes beyond, moving Zappa into the room — he feels almost 3D at times!
Where to buy: $99.98 at Amazon
Mark Smotroff is a deep music enthusiast / collector who has also worked in entertainment oriented marketing communications for decades supporting the likes of DTS, Sega and many others. He reviews vinyl for Analog Planet and has written for Audiophile Review, Sound+Vision, Mix, EQ, etc. You can learn more about him at LinkedIn.
