R.m.n 2022

Released as a 3-CD 8” digi-pak. Recorded, for the most part, over two days in July 1963, these varied and excellent performances ended up being scattered over several RCA Victor releases between 1963 and 1968. It would not be until 1990 that the songs finally appeared as originally intended on a proper RCA vinyl album. Almost 60-years later, FTD presents all of the masters and outtakes available from the session(s).

From the beloved and trusted JUST THE HITS range, comes an inarguably groovy decade-based addition – THE SEVENTIES! An unmistakably value-packed, hit-laden, all-killer collection of highly recognisable, well-loved and anthemic tracks from the decade that provided the world with some of the most loved and enduring anthems of the ages. The tracklist features a superstar rollcall of artists and their mega-hits – from ABBA to Elton John, Neil Diamond to Blondie, alongside Motown classics (Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Rick James and The Commodores) further imbued with Australian classics from Helen Reddy, Cold Chisel, Little River Band, Aussie Crawl and many many more!

Unique, strong, and sexy—that’s how Beyoncé wants you to feel while listening to RENAISSANCE. Crafted during the grips of the pandemic, her seventh solo album is a celebration of freedom and a complete immersion into house and dance that serves as the perfect sound bed for themes of liberation, release, self-assuredness, and unfiltered confidence across its 16 tracks. RENAISSANCE is playful and energetic in a way that captures that Friday-night, just-got-paid, anything-can-happen feeling, underscored by reiterated appeals to unyoke yourself from the weight of others’ expectations and revel in the totality of who you are.

The Eastern North Carolina Sacred Soul all stars, Dedicated Men of Zion are back with the follow up to their critically acclaimed, 2020 debut album, Can't Turn Me Around. The Devil Don't Like It picks up where we last heard DMZ, blending traditional sacred soul offerings with the fire and passion of a touring outfit. Backed by the Sacred Soul Sound Section and produced by Bible & Tire founder, Bruce Watson, these songs are presented just as they should be, with a precision of sound and style but as raw as the original recordings demand. These men did not come to play, they came to work for the Lord.

Iconic veteran Southern soul man William Bell has been in the business of making records for 66 years, and was with Memphis’ fabled Stax label for virtually its entire 15-year existence (1960-1975). In that time, he composed and recorded many songs that are rightly regarded as classics, from his Stax debut ‘You Don’t Miss Your Water’ to the classic blues song ‘Born Under A Bad Sign’ to his hit duet with Judy Clay, ‘Private Number’.

Lightnin’ Hopkins is widely considered one of the great popular architects of the blues style that came be known as “country blues” and which proved to be huge influence on the future development of Rock ‘n’ Roll. “Mojo Hand” was one of Hopkins‘ signature tunes. Mixing his own style with Louisiana Creole and voodoo culture, the song ripples with an occult energy.This album, recorded for Fire Records, is especially interesting because it casts Hopkins in a more R&B-flavored environment. This obvious effort to get a hit takes for some excellent blues; moody and powerful performances play throughout. The Penguin Guide to Blues Recordings wrote that "Lightnin' is focussed and businesslike and delivers a strong and varied sequence of songs; the bassist and drummer unobtrusive but very much there”.

THIS MONTH’S COVERMOUNT CD is Cover Me: The Springsteen Songbook – 15 songs that inspired our cover star. John Lee Hooker, Mitch Ryder, The Contours, Bo Diddley, The Searchers and lots more Boss fuel!

Described by Variety magazine as "really about as good as rock documentaries get", the long-awaited, official King Crimson documentary by Toby Amies will be released in Limited edition form as an 8 Disc boxed set containing 2 Blu-Rays, 2 DVDs and 4 CDs. The set includes the full film, an early edited version of the film, live and studio performances from the 50th anniversary tour plus a plethora of additional footage. It also includes the music from the original soundtrack and more over 4 CDs - many tracks previously unreleased and/or new to CD. The film appears in DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround on Blu-ray 1 and in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround on DVD 1. The film and other material on Blu-ray 1/DVD 1 - the final performance of 'Starless from December 2021, an early edit of sections of the film and a set of trailers/shorts, appear in LPCM 24/48 Stereo on both formats. Blu-ray 2/DVD 2 feature: Tring, Rock In Rio, 38 minutes backstage footage and more.