The Essentials: Record Store Day 2020 Releases (September Edition)
The second installment of 2020's three-part Record Store Day celebration is upon us. Comb through another batch of picks for your crate explorations.
Like seemingly anything the year has wrought, Record Store Day is hitting a little different in 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this most unfortunate year’s chase is spread across three separate days at the tail-ends of August, September, and October, with drops slated for each installation. To aid your pursuit, we’ve compiled a 10-pack of Record Store Day exclusives to keep in mind as you raid the crates. From first-ever pressings to requisite reissues, limited edition variants, and well beyond, there’s something for every shade of wax enthusiast.
Our September 2020 picks include righteous commemorations of rap royalty, silver anniversary reissues of salsa sultans, retrospectives on France's unheralded psyche strains, and plenty more to fill out this month's haul.
Scroll on for the September segment of our Record Store Day guide. Tune in next month for a final batch to seek out for your collection and head over to the official RSD site for the full list of releases.
Zap Mama - Adventures in Afropea 1 (2xLP)
Quantity: 1,200
Nearing 30 years since its initial release, Zap Mama's sophomore album is getting its first proper vinyl issue from Luaka Bop, pressed to properly purple splatter color wax.
Various Artists - Psyché France Volume 6: 1960-70 (LP)
Quantity: 1,000
Rhino's ongoing Psyche France compilation series is back this month with a brain-bending sixth installment, featuring handpicked selections from a decade and region rife with musical and chemical experimentation. With just 1,000 copies going into circulation, you'll want to keep your head on a sober swivel for this one.
Various Artists - Queen & Slim Soundtrack (2xLP)
Quantity: 2,000
A logical accompaniment to a gripping, stylish, and debate-sparking big-screen event, you'll soon be able to own Queen & Slim's star-studded soundtrack as a double-LP vinyl set. With original compositions from Raphael Saadiq, Megan Thee Stallion, Vince Staples, and a stunning return from Ms. Lauryn Hill, it's a must-cop scenario for fans. Especially those who want to run through the score without ever again contemplating the symbolism of that one scene. You know the one.
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Return to The 36 Chambers: Dirty Version (45 Box Set)
Quantity: 3,000
Celebrating its 25th-anniversary and long-overdue platinum certification, Ol’ Dirty Bastard's debut solo album is returning to wax as a 7-inch collector's edition box-set. The 9-disc collection is individually numbered and pressed to aptly blue, white, and yellow acetate.
The Notorious B.I.G. - It Was All a Dream (9xLP Box Set)
Quantity: 2,000
Another one for the diehards, the late rap kingpin's full discography is being packaged and released as a box-set for the first time ever. The 9xLP collection features Ready to Die, Life After Death, Born Again, and Junior M.A.F.I.A.'s Conspiracy, all under one roof with artwork from Masaki Koike and new liner notes from Kathy Iondoli.
Jimi Hendrix (Band of Gypsys) - "Message to Love"/"Changes"
Quantity: 10,000
The most abundant pressing on the list this year (or of any other year prior) features two standout cuts from Band of Gypsys' legendary New Years Ever 1969 performance at the Fillmore East issued as a 50th-anniversary single with revamped artwork and remastered audio.
Lee Fields - Let's a Groove On (LP)
Quantity: 2,500
The veteran soulsmith's blazing Desco debut is being pried out of the vault for the first time since its 1998 release. Remastered and cast to money-green-splatter wax, collectors should take heed of the album's first pressing in a decade.
Curren$y - Pilot Talk (LP)
Quantity: 2,000
The project that commenced the greatest (and still churning) mixtape run this side of Gucci Mane's stint is getting its very first vinyl issue this month. Hear Spitta trade bars with some of rap's most celebrated pens (including Yasiin Bey, Big K.R.I.T., Jay Electronica, Devin The Dude, Snoop Dogg, and more,) from between the grooves of a heavyset wax pressing.
Willie Colón and Hectór Lavoe - Casa Nuestra (LP)
Quantity: 2,000
The pioneering kings of salsa began their genre-conquering collaborative stride with Cosa Nuestra in 1969. In celebration of its 50th-anniversary, the album is getting a heavyweight 180-gram repressing from Craft Recordings, featuring remastered audio culled from the original analog tapes.
Big L - The Danger Zone (2xLP)
Quantity: 1,000
The fourth and final posthumous Big L album is getting its first-ever wax edition. The double-LP set features appearances from Gang Starr, D.I.T.C., AG, Roc Raida, and a handful of previously unreleased tracks from the late Harlem rap giant.
Sean Price and Small Professor - "Latoya Jackson (Back To The Old School Remix)"
Quantity: 1,000
Coalmine Records and Duck Down Music join forces for a limited pressing of a steel-toed standout from Small Professor and the late Sean Price's posthumous collaborative project, 86 Witness. The A-side features the original cut with a guest verse from Quelle Chris. On the alternate side, Masta Ace steps into the fold with a barbed performance.