Is it really time for Record Store Day 2024? Our friends at Craft Recordings who are already having a great start to the year with an exciting list of jazz reissues and the launch of Bluesville Records, have some interesting titles coming this year.
This year’s lineup—available at participating independent music retailers on April 20— includes eight exclusive releases that span a variety of genres—from chilling cult-classic soundtracks and long-sought-after alt-rock reissues to jazz, new age, and beyond.
Among the offerings is a 25th anniversary pressing of Collective Soul’s Platinum-selling fourth album, Dosage (featuring the mega-hit “Heavy”), At The Drive-In’s electrifying sophomore album, in/CASINO/OUT, and the first-ever vinyl pressingof Filter’s The Very Best Things collection.
Also making its debut on wax is the chart-topping Inner World album from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama—a first-of-its-kind release from the Tibetan spiritual leader, which blends his spoken-word meditations with music from a renowned collective of artists, including Anoushka Shankar.
Other highlights include a sought-after mono edition of Everybody Digs Bill Evans on 180-gram vinyl, while film buffs will delight over the return of two cult-classic soundtracks, 1972’s Black Girl and 1977’s Orca.
Finally, the acclaimed Jazz Dispensary Series returns with The Freedom Sound! The People Arise—an empowering setlist of deep cuts by Joe Henderson, Gary Bartz, and Azar Lawrence, among others
At The Drive-In – in/CASINO/OUT (1-LP, Purple & Green Smoke Vinyl)
In the mid-’90s, At The Drive-In carved out a niche for themselves in the El Paso alternative scene with their blend of punk and art-rock, paired with emotive melodies and intricate rhythms. After the release of their 1997 debut, Acrobatic Tenement, the band chose to take a different approach through a live in-studio recording.
The resulting album, 1998’s in/CASINO/OUT, captured the raw, electric intensity of their concerts through such blistering tracks as “Napoleon Solo,” “Chanbara,” and “Alpha Centauri.”
After topping Billboard’s vinyl charts in 2012, In/CASINO/OUT makes its return to the format for Record Store Day, in an exclusive limited-edition Purple & Green Smoke pressing.
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Bill Evans Trio – Everybody Digs Bill Evans (1-LP, Mono, 180-gram Vinyl)
One of jazz music’s most influential artists, pianist and composer Bill Evans (1929–1980) was known for his conversational interplay within his trios, his lyrical compositions, and his matchless approach to his instrument. In 1958, just one month after leaving his post with Miles Davis’ sextet, he recorded his landmark sophomore album, Everybody Digs Bill Evans.
The 1959 release established Evans’ prowess as a leader and showcased many of his innovative techniques on the piano, as he led the trio (featuring drummer Philly Joe Jones and bassist Sam Jones) through a selection of standards, an interpretation of Sonny Rollins’ “Oleo,” plus two originals, including his soon-to-be-classic, “Peace Piece.”
This special mono edition of Everybody Digs Bill Evans features lacquers cut from the original mono tapes (AAA) by Matthew Lutthans at Cohearent Audio, is pressed at RTI on 180-gram black vinyl, and housed in a Stoughton® Tip-On Jacket.
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Collective Soul – Dosage (1-LP, Translucent Lemonade Vinyl)
Georgia five-piece Collective Soul skyrocketed to fame in the early ’90s, thanks to a string of hits—including “Shine,” “December,” and “The World I Know”—and released such bestselling albums as Hints, Allegations & Things Left Unsaid (1993), Collective Soul (1995), and Disciplined Breakdown (1997). By the turn of the millennium, however, the group was eager to push the boundaries of their sound and explore a variety of electronic elements, including digital effects, loops, and synths—all of which can be heard on 1999’s Dosage.
The band’s experimentation paid off, as their fourth studio album was embraced warmly by fans—breaking the US Top 20 and garnering a Platinum certification.
Celebrating Dosage’s 25th anniversary, this limited edition pressing is presented on Translucent Lemonade vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day.
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Dalai Lama – Inner World (1-LP, Gold Vinyl)
In 2020, amid the turmoil of a global pandemic, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lamareleased Inner World — a sacred offering of mantras and teachings set to music with contributions from a host of renowned artists, including sitar player Anoushka Shankar and composer Abraham Kunin. As the first album to ever be released by a Tibetan spiritual leader, Inner World was created to help people around the world find a sense of safety in times of anxiety and fear—as well as the courage to never give up hope.
Released on the Dalai Lama’s 85th birthday, Inner World was a global hit, topping Billboard’s New Age chart and breaking the World Music Top 10, among other achievements.
Available for the very first time on vinyl, this special edition of Inner World comes pressed on limited edition Gold vinyl.
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Filter – The Very Best Things: 1995-2008 (2-LP, Mercury Swirl Vinyl)
The brainchild of singer/songwriter/guitarist Richard Patrick (a former touring musician for Nine Inch Nails), Filter shot to dizzying heights in the ’90s with their unique blend of industrial rock and post-grunge metal. FIlter continues to put out distinctive new music year after year, including The Algorithm in 2023. The Very Best Things: 1995-2008 celebrates the first chapter of the band’s distinctive career—from their Platinum-selling 1995 debut, Short Bus, through 2008’s Anthems for the Damned.
The Very Best Things blends sought-after rarities with the group’s biggest hits, including their breakthrough single “Hey Man Nice Shot” (1995) as well as “Take a Picture” and “Welcome to the Fold” (both from 1998’s Title of Record), plus “Where Do We Go From Here,” from 2002’s The Amalgamut.
The collection also touches upon the group’s many soundtrack contributions, including “(Can’t You) Trip Like I Do” with The Crystal Method (from Spawn), “Jurassitol” (The Crow: City of Angels), and a cover of Harry Nilsson’s “One” (The X-Files film)
Now, The Very Best Things makes its vinyl debut. The 2-LP set will be pressed on limited edition Mercury Swirl vinyl exclusively for Record Store Day.
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Various Artists – Jazz Dispensary: The Freedom Sound! The People Arise (1-LP, Freedom Blue Swirl Vinyl)
The Jazz Dispensary cratediggers proudly present The Freedom Sound! The People Arise—a brand-new collection of curated jams from the highly sought-after series. Propelled by the unbreakable spirit of protest and freedom, this blend of energizing rhythms and captivating horns focuses on the ‘60s and ‘70s, with deep cuts from such pioneering artists as Joe Henderson, Ran Blake, Gary Bartz, and Azar Lawrence.
The LP kicks off with the raw power of “Afro-Centric,” a cut off saxophonist Joe Henderson’s socially-conscious classic, Power to the People (1969). The expressive “Freedom One Day” (from the Gary Bartz Quintet’s long-out-of-print 1967 debut, Libra) follows, while “Theme For a New Day,” off Azar Lawrence’s 1976 jazz-funk masterpiece, People Moving, closes out Side A.
Side B opens with the joyful rhythms of “Afrika,” a selection from A.K. Salim’s Afro-Soul/Drum Orgy (1964) featuring appearances by Yusef Lateef, Johnny Coles, Pat Patrick, and master percussionist Julio Collazo. Next up is the regal “Night Drums,” courtesy of Chicago family act The Dungills, who featured the track on their 1963 rarity, Africa Calling. Closing out the album is a powerful suite of compositions by pianist Ran Blake. The evocative “Three Seeds,” off Blake’s 1969 LP, The Blue Potato & Other Outrages, pays tribute to three revolutionary thought leaders of the 20th century: Regis Debray, Che Guevara, and Malcolm X.
Released in limited quantities exclusively for Record Store Day 2024, The Freedom Sound! The People Arise is presented on Freedom Blue Swirl vinyl and features original designs by Lou Beach, the renowned German artist whose vibrant collages have appeared on albums by Stevie Wonder, Yellow Magic Orchestra, and The Police, among many others.
Ennio Morricone – Orca – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1-LP, Blood In The Water Vinyl) (North America Exclusive)
From the film freaks of Varèse Sarabande comes Reel Cult, a sensational new reissue series for B-movie soundtrack aficionados. Two titles kick off the series for Record Store Day, including Ennio Morricone’s haunting score for the 1977 aquatic thriller, Orca.
Directed by Michael Anderson and starring Richard Harris, Charlotte Rampling, Will Sampson, and Bo Derek, the film centers around an orca whale who seeks revenge on a fishing boat captain (Harris) after he watches him kill his pregnant mate. Propelling Orca’s tension-filled scenes is a highly effective score by Academy Award-winner Ennio Morricone. The influential Italian composer captures the complex emotions of the title character through a blend of mournful passages and vengeful themes. In addition to deftly arranged orchestration, the score also features the talents of soprano Edda Dell’Orso, whose wordless vocals evoke the poignant sound of whale song.
Returning to vinyl for the first time in over 50 years, this special edition is pressed on Blood In The Water-colored vinyl and presented in a tip-on jacket. As a special bonus, the LP includes a fold-out poster. Dip your toes in, if you dare!
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Various Artists – Black Girl – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Reel Cut Series] (1-LP, 180-Gram Clear Black Swirl Vinyl)
![Various Artists – Black Girl – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Reel Cut Series] (1-LP, 180-Gram Clear Black Swirl Vinyl)](https://cdn.ecoustics.com/db0/wblob/17BA35E873D594/33BC/458FD/aTOkVa7vJJhaB0nzPXDIhXrKB8TDmgtEfNT0XGqQGxo/black-girl-lp.jpg)
From the film freaks of Varèse Sarabande comes Reel Cult, a sensational new reissue series for B-movie soundtrack aficionados. Among the two titles kicking the series off is the cult-classic soundtrack for Ossie Davis’ seminal cinematic social commentary, 1972’s Black Girl.
Based on the play by J.E. Franklin, Black Girl portrays life as a Black woman in 1970s America. Starring Peggy Pettitt, Brock Peters, Leslie Uggams, and Claudia McNeil, the film centers on Billie Jean (Pettitt), a teenage student who strives to follow her dreams and escape the fates of her sisters—both of whom dropped out of high school after becoming pregnant. Released amid the Black Power and feminist movements, Black Girl offered audiences a fresh and important perspective that was rarely seen in Hollywood at the time.
Featuring music by Ed Bogas and Ray Shanklin (the team behind Fritz the Cat and Heavy Traffic), the score blends soul-jazz grooves and funky licks for a supremely pleasing listening experience. Sprinkled in are soulful vocal tracks by the likes of Betty Everett, Rodger Collins, and JJ Malone, while instrumental selections feature performances by the likes of Sonny Stitt, John Hunt, and Merl Saunders.
This long-sought-after rarity features all-analog remastering and is pressed on 180-gram Clear Black Swirl-colored vinyl. Completing the package is a classic tip-on jacket.
For a full list of participating Record Store Day retailers, visit recordstoreday.com.
