Glenn Hughes – Justified Man – The Studio Albums 1995 2003, 6cd Boxset 2020

UMC/Virgin has announced today, Mark Knopfler’s 71st birthday, that it will release a six-CD box set of all Dire Straits’ studio albums on October 9, 2020. Dire Straits – The Studio Albums 1978-1991 includes of all the seminal British band’s studio LPs released during that time, all of which are certified multi-platinum.

Ever since the mid-'90s, that Glenn Hughes has been one busy gentleman. After sorting out his personal life, Hughes returned to recording and touring like a man possessed as he began cranking out album after album in a short period of time – including 2003's Songs in the Key of Rock. And for those who thought that Hughes may begin mellowing after the aforementioned "downtime," the rip-roaring album opener, "In My Blood" (in which Hughes sounds quite a bit like ex-Deep Purple bandmate David Coverdale) will silence any doubters. Also included is a tribute to Hughes' old pal John Bonham on "Higher Places (Song for Bonzo)," as well as a song that sounds like the spitting image of Bonham's band, "Get You Stoned." Vocal-wise, Hughes sounds stronger than ever on Songs in the Key of Rock – something that can't be said for some of his lead singer peers from the same classic rock era.

Ever since the mid-'90s, that Glenn Hughes has been one busy gentleman. After sorting out his personal life, Hughes returned to recording and touring like a man possessed as he began cranking out album after album in a short period of time – including 2003's Songs in the Key of Rock. And for those who thought that Hughes may begin mellowing after the aforementioned "downtime," the rip-roaring album opener, "In My Blood" (in which Hughes sounds quite a bit like ex-Deep Purple bandmate David Coverdale) will silence any doubters. Also included is a tribute to Hughes' old pal John Bonham on "Higher Places (Song for Bonzo)," as well as a song that sounds like the spitting image of Bonham's band, "Get You Stoned." Vocal-wise, Hughes sounds stronger than ever on Songs in the Key of Rock – something that can't be said for some of his lead singer peers from the same classic rock era.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mark’s debut solo release Golden Heart in 1996, a new box set, Mark Knopfler - The Studio Albums 1996-2007, will be released on 1st October Worldwide, and 10th December in the US.
Gathering his first five post-Dire Straits solo albums (not counting film scores), and a bonus disc of B-sides titled The Gravy Train, this collection is as sleepy and nonchalant as an old friend’s affable shrug. Knopfler does what he does, blending folk, blues, country and rock into a tension-free take on Americana that’s faintly personal but more about delivering a carpet atmosphere of reflective rumination.
The audio of each album has been newly remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios in London.

Glenn Hughes has always seemed to surround himself with the greatest guitarists and drummers of rock, including Ritchie Blackmore, Tommy Bolin, Ian Paice, Tony Iommi, and Kenny Aronoff. And on his 2006 solo outing, Music for the Divine, the string of strong supporting players remains intact, as Hughes is joined by a pair of current Red Hot Chili Peppers – guitarist John Frusciante and drummer Chad Smith – and an ex-Pepper, Mr. Hollywood himself, Dave Navarro. Music certainly has a funkier edge than, say, the last few releases Hughes has collaborated on with Iommi, but this should certainly not come as a surprise to longtime fans, as his funk roots trace all the way back to his Deep Purple-era releases. Arguably, he has not played alongside musicians as fluent with the funk as his fellow travelers here, especially on the leadoff single, "The Valiant Denial," which rocks and slithers the way only a Peppers groove can. The funk continues on such selections as "Monkey Man," but just when you think you have it all figured out, Hughes and company hand in a surprise reading of, um, "Nights in White Satin." All in all, Music for the Divine is another fine release from one of rock's great (and criminally underrated) voices.

After a tumultuous parting from his first label, Virgin, famed British new age artist/composer Mike Oldfield signed an extensive deal with Warner Bros which would carry him into the next millennium. His first act at Warner was to deliver 1992's Tubular Bells II, the instrumental sequel to his groundbreaking 1973 debut. Over the coming decade, he would release seven more albums with the label ranging in style from Celtic to worldbeat to dance-oriented music. The Studio Albums 1992-2003 includes all eight of his Warner releases in one affordable box set…