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    Vinyl Releases of the Week: August 17, 2011

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    The variety this week is ridiculous! Thanks to Mississippi Records and their diligent reissue efforts, bluesman Fred McDowell is represented in this batch along with the Malian Rail Band and Pacific Northwest rockers Dead Moon. We’ve also got new releases from Dolly Parton, Sly Stone, and Van Dyke Parks. And [drum roll please] the entire ABBA catalog courtesy of Polydor UK.

    ABBA Ring Ring (1973), Waterloo (1974), ABBA (1975), Arrival (1976), The Album (1977), Voulez-Vous (1979), Super Trouper (1980), The Visitors (1981) (Polydor UK Imports)
    UK vinyl reissues of the Swedish pop superstars’ eight albums.

    Sly StoneI’m Back! Family & Friends (Cleopatra)
    The first new album from the funk legend since 1982, I’m Back! Family & Friends features new versions of Sly & the Family Stone classics including “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” “Family Affair,” and “Thank You,” as well as three previously unreleased tracks. Sly gets some help from guests Jeff Beck, Ray Manzarek, Bootsy Collins, Ann Wilson, Carmine Appice, and others.

    Dolly PartonBetter Day (Dolly Records)
    Not only did the vivacious country legend release an uplifting and inspirational new album, she released it on vinyl via her own Dolly Records imprint. Available as a double LP, Better Day features all-original material and showcases Dolly’s rootsy bluegrass side as well as her contemporary country-pop chops.

    The Wood BrothersSmoke Ring Halo (Southern Ground)
    The third collaborative studio album from siblings Chris Wood (of jazz trio Medeski Martin & Wood) and Oliver Wood (of rock/blues band King Johnson). Bursting with soulful folk, Smoke Ring Halo was produced by Jim Scott (Wilco, Tom Petty, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and features backing vocals from Zac Brown and Clay Cook.

    Animal CollectiveSung Tongs reissue (Fat Cat)
    The first domestic vinyl pressing of Animal Collective’s 2004 avant-pop masterpiece. Available as a double LP, this reissue has been DMM re-mastered and includes a digital download of the album.

    John HiattDirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns (New West Records)
    Double vinyl LP pressing of the new album from veteran singer-songwriter John Hiatt. On Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns you’ll find both an ode to the Buick Electra 225 (“Detroit Made”) and a heartfelt tribute about 9/11 (“When New York Had Her Heart Broke”). Produced by Kevin “The Caveman” Shirley (Silverchair, Aerosmith, Joe Bonamassa), the album pairs Hiatt’s honest, often-harrowing storytelling with some mean blues guitar.

    Fred McDowellThe Alan Lomax Recordings (Mississippi Records)
    Featuring the first-ever recordings by Blues Hall of Famer “Mississippi” Fred McDowell, this album was recorded in 1959 by folklorist Alan Lomax. It features a spirited version of Bukka White’s ‘Shake ’em on Down,’ harmonies from Mrs. Annie Mae McDowell, and even hair comb playing by a Ms. Fanny Davis. An intimate, genuine, and essential record of Mississippi hill country blues. 

    Rail BandOrchestre Rail-Band de Bamako (Mississippi Records)
    The legendary Malian Rail Band’s 1970 debut reissued on vinyl for the first time.

    Bob Dylan Oh Mercy (4 Men with Beards)
    180-gram vinyl reissue of Dylan’s great 1989 comeback album.

    Van Dyke Parks – “Dreaming of Paris”/”Wedding in Madagascar” and “Wall Street” / “Money Is King” singles (Bananastan)
    The first two singles to be released by the iconic musician/composer/producer as part of his new 7-inch vinyl series. Each single is illustrated by a top contemporary American artist – in this case Ed Ruscha and Art Spiegelman, respectively.

    Dead MoonIn the Graveyard (1988), Unknown Passage (1989), Defiance (1990) (Mississippi Records)
    Re-mastered vinyl reissues of the revered underground Pacific Northwest band’s first three albums. Fun Fact: These albums were originally mastered by the band’s frontman, Fred Cole, on the same mono lathe used to cut the Kingsmen’s version of “Louie Louie.”

    The Clash
    Black Market Clash 10-inch (Drastic Plastic)
    Limited-edition 10-inch vinyl reissue of this 1980 EP. A North America-only release that came out between London Calling and Sandinista!, Black Market Clash compiles UK B-sides and other songs that were previously only available in the US as imports. There are also dub versions of the songs “Bankrobber” and “Armagideon Time,” and a remix of the Clash’s Toots and the Maytals cover “Pressure Drop.”

    Fiona AppleExtraordinary Machine (Plain Recordings)
    180-gram double LP reissue of Fiona Apple’s universally acclaimed third album, originally released in 2005.

    Michael Yonkers BandMicrominiature Love (Sub Pop)
    Vinyl reissue of this long-lost record from 1968 by the obscure Minnesota musician. First unearthed in 2002 and released in a very limited vinyl run by Destijl Records, the album is now available in wide release via Sub Pop.

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