The organisers of Record Store Day have announced the exclusive vinyl releases for this year’s celebration of independent record shops.
The list features four David Bowie records, including his self-titled album, a double LP set including mono and stereo versions; a heavyweight 12in single of the previously unreleased full-length demo of Let's Dance; the first commercial release of Now, a rare 1977 US-only compilation; and WTTB, another previously unreleased three-LP live album recorded by long-term producer Tony Visconti at London's Earl's Court in 1978.
Among other rarities on offer are Prince's 1999 available on vinyl for the first time since 1983, a Cure compilation with 16 new mixes by Robert Smith, and Bobbie Gentry Live at the BBC, released for the first time ever.
Arcade Fire will issue their self-titled EP from 2002 for the first time on vinyl, and the National commemorate their 2007 album Boxer with a front-to-back live rendition recorded in concert in Brussels in 2017.
Several artists will use the occasion to debut material from their forthcoming albums: Australian songwriter Courtney Barnett previews her second album, Tell Me How You Really Feel, with the double A-side City Looks Pretty and Sunday Roast. New York indie-rockers Parquet Courts release Monologue from their new record, Wide Awake, Julian Casablancas's band the Voidz share Qyurryus/Cool As, and dream-pop band Belly will release Feel, a four-track release featuring two songs from their new album, Dove, along with two other unreleased tracks.
Other enticing curios include The First 48 Inches of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, a box set containing the first four 12in singles from the Liverpool band's debut album, 1984's Welcome to the Pleasuredome; Sufjan Stevens' Mystery of Love EP, featuring his contributions to Luca Guadagnino's film Call Me By Your Name; and comedian Adam Sandler's 1993 debut album, They're All Gonna Laugh at You!.
There are the usual esoteric curveballs too: a special 7in release of Shaggy's Oh Carolina on its 25th anniversary, Japan frontman David Sylvian's fifth solo album, Dead Bees on a Cake, available on white vinyl for the first time, and Pornosonic: Unreleased 70s Porn Music ft Ron Jeremy, a collection of ersatz porn movie themes featuring narration from the renowned adult actor.
Record Store Day 2018 takes place on 21 April, with more than 240 shops participating in the UK – the highest number in the event’s 11-year history. This year’s RSD ambassadors are hip-hop duo Run the Jewels.
–Guardian
