Okayplayer's Record Store Day Release Round-Up
Record Store Day is upon us kind crate diggers. And in celebration of our adored pastime, we're extending a hefty list of our favorite RSD releases to provide a few points of reference for tomorrow's vinyl crawl. We've got records spanning 50 years of funk; from the organic foundational grooves of The JBs to the electro-acoustic strut of Moses Sumney. Not to mention a few must-cop reissues and even something to read to get you through that hazy Sunday. So peep our map of the illest RSD drops, cause we certainly wouldn't have a day like this for cassettes. Happy diggin fam.
Dust & Grooves: Adventures In Record Collecting - Eilon Paz
Start the journey off with Eilon Paz's crate digging companion script, compiling testimonies and photos from 130 different collectors and their troves into one hefty coffee table piece. If you missed it in your travels, cop it here.
De La Soul - Smell The Da.I.S.Ys (Instrumentals)
Here we have the ever elusive, ultra-rare --just peep the auction prices-- instrumental vinyl release of De La's J Dilla tributary piece. You might need to bust out the shovel on this one cause there's only 100 copies and they're stashed in record shops across the country. It's the golden goose of RSD drops. So if you happen to be fortunate enough to actually get your hands on one of these, hide it between two dollar-bin finds; walk slowly towards the register; pay for it and get the fvck out of there.
Moses Sumney - Scratch The Surface/Forlorn Fantasy
The enigmatic looper drops a 7" single for you to lap up, following the recent release of his bedroom-recorded Mid-City Island EP. Watch out for that B-side though, always a doozy.
William Onyeabor - What?!
Nigerian synth-funk specialist William Onyeabor' work is reinterpreted by the likes of Hot Chip, The Vaccines, Justin Strauss and more on an epic 12# remix compilation released through the combined efforts of David Byrne's Luaka Bop imprint and Moog.
Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
The kings of southern draw drop a burly 180-gram reissue of their masterful --now 20 year-old-- debut for the masses to drool over as they make their rounds across the country on an epic 40 date festival tour celebrating its release. Another ripe cut for Sunday's festivities.
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
Long Island champs Public Enemy reissue their seminal sophomore record to go along with the vinyl pressing of 2012's iTunes exclusive Evil Empire Of Everything. Peace to Chuck D for landing the ambassadorship of the crate-lovers holiday.
Gil Scott-Heron - Nothing New
Cherished poet/musician/activist/non-televised revolutionary Gil Scott-Heron's legacy will continue with a posthumous release in Nothing New, compiled of various outtakes and omitted cuts from the recording sessions for his 2010 album I'm New Here.
Sun Ra - Outer Spaceways Incorporated
OG funkonaut Sun Ra's mid-60s live show is pressed and cut to color vinyl for a special RSD reissue, celebrating the celestial jazz pianist's immense influence.
Fishbone - Fishbone
John Fisher & Company's game-changing self-titled debut get the reissue treatment, breathing new life into an album that remains amongst the most celebrated and pivotal of any prog-rock release.
Dan Croll x Ladysmith Black Mambazo - "Hello My Baby"/"Every At Your Side"
UK indie-songbird meets groundbreaking South African chorale ensemble on a one-off RSD drop, bridging each of their globetrotting careers into one gratifying release.
Donny Hathaway - Live At The Bitter End 1971
The soul legend's early 7os take from NYC's iconic Bitter End is thrown into the light with this limited edition RSD release, running through hits like "The Ghetto" and his go-to Marvin cover "What's Going On."
The J.Bs - Food For Thought: The Get On Down Edition
James Brown's backing ensemble is featured in this much-too-ill reissue of their debut record on Brown's People Records imprint, featuring the supreme horn styles of Maceo Parker and Fred Wesley, not to mention Bobby Byrd and Jabo Starks.
Honorable Mentions
Sam Cooke - Ain't That Good News
Big Mama Thornton - Sassy Mama
David Bowie- "1984 Picture Disk" (7" Single)
Charles Bradley - I Hope You Find The Good Life
Broken Bells - "Holding On For Life" (12" Single)
Disclosure - "Apollo" (12" Single)
Haim - "Forever" (12" Single)
Little Dragon - "KLAPP KLAPP" (Single)
Wes Montgomery & The Montgomery- Johnson Quarter- Live At The Turf Club
Otis Redding - Pain In My Heart
Tame Impala - Live Versons
The Whole Rough Guide Compilation Series
BADBADNOTGOOD -" Can't Leave The Night"/"Sustain"
Black Milk - Glitches In The Break
Eric B. & Rahim - Paid In Full
Mayer Hawthorne - Jaded Inc.
Fela Ransom Kuti & His Koola - "Se e Tun De/Waka Waka"
