Reissues continue to shine a fresh spotlight of records that were overlooked when they first surfaced or were so limited that they instantly became sought-after. In 2022, we are back with another collection of outstanding albums, lovingly re-issued and repressed, saving us from those Discogs sharks or listening to these records only on YouTube. The number of quality reissue albums doesn't seem to be abating despite the high cost of vinyl manufacturing and still seems to span across many genres.
Top of the pile is a much-needed repress of one of the most seminal compilations in electronic history, Warp's "Artificial Intelligence", 30 years after its initial release. 'Artificial Intelligence' was notable for early appearances by people who went on to become pioneers of the hypnotic groove for both Warp and electronic music in its entirety such as LFO, Black Dog, Aphex Twin and Autechre - a who's who of electronic music.
Other honourable mentions were some of the many excellent reissues of the late Susumu Yokota like 1997's "Green Peace"(Under his Stevia alias) conjuring up a heady concoction of dusty loops, sampledelic breaks, kraut-rock and psychedelic downbeat as well as his inspiring album from 2004 "Symbols" which took classical compositions from many recognisable composers and twisted and mutated them to make sounds which wouldnt have dawned on many at that time. Chicago house legend Larry Heard gave us a second chance to get our claws on "Amnesia" under his Mr. Fingers pseudonym which hadn't seen the light of day officially in over 32 years! A must have for any US House maestro.
Marvin Gaye's phenomenal "What's Going On?" celebrated its 50 years on earth with a special reissue with an extra 12" of unheard demo's and goodies. Verve records rejuvenated our love for the jazz masterpiece that is John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman. A truly underrated gem of Jazz.
We could keep going on about all the amazing reissue albums that gave us another chance to love or opened our eyes to something from the past we may never of knew but nothing speaks truer than the list below so check out here:
51 Poland Street
London W1F 7LZ
Email: customerservice@phonicarecords.com
Registered in England and Wales under no. 04625246.
