February 9 street date. The now legendary Average White Band tore up the rule book and conquered the US, UK, and international charts with a series of soul and disco hits between 1974 and 1980. AWB's repertoire has been a source of inspiration and influence for many R&B acts and they are one of the most sampled bands in history, remaining relevant today, continuing to reach new generations of younger audiences. Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim, Ice Cube, Puff Daddy, TLC, Rick Ross, will.i.am, and Mark Ronson, amongst countless others, have all borrowed sections of their grooves. 1974's ‘AWB’ (aka ‘The White Album’) is the 2nd album by AWB and their first for Atlantic Records produced by the legendary Arif Mardin. The album reached #6 in the UK Albums Chart and #1 in the USA, largely on the strength of the the ground-breaking classic ‘Pick Up The Pieces’, which reached the coveted #1 spot in the USA. This 50th anniversary celebratory half-speed master version has been newly mastered by Phil Kinrade, and expertly cut using transfers of the original audio tapes using precision half-speed mastering by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering, London, and is pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl, with a 4-page insert.
February 9 street date. ‘50’ is a 133 track/15 disc 50th anniversary celebration of The Average White Band'ss classic studio albums from 1973's debut ‘Show Your Hand’ up to 1982’s ‘Cupid’s In Fashion’. The set also includes their live album ‘Person To Person’, the ‘spoiler’ album ‘Volume VIII’, the reconfigured ‘Shine’ - aka ‘On The Strip’ - and an 8 track disc with selected 12" mixes, early versions, live, and later discovered tracks. ’50’ includes an introductory note from Onnie McIntyre with his personal recollections, although the framework of these 10,000 word notes have appeared in previous collections or releases. However, as they were such in-depth interviews, both Alan Gorrie and Hamish Stuart felt that there wasn't anything further that could be written about those early days.
April 20 street date. RECORD STORE DAY release. The now legendary Average White Band tore up the rule book and conquered the US, UK, and international charts with a series of hits between 1974 and 1980. AWB's repertoire has been a source of inspiration and influence for many R&B acts and they are one of the most sampled bands in history, remaining relevant today, continuing to reach new generations of younger audiences. Snoop Dogg, Fatboy Slim, Ice Cube, Puff Daddy, TLC, Rick Ross, will.i.am, and Mark Ronson, amongst countless others, have all borrowed sections of their grooves. Recently discovered tapes that went missing from the mastering studio in 1974 contain the long-lost concert at London's Rainbow Theatre, when AWB supported Billy Cobham. As there aren't any multi-tracks, nothing has been altered from the live performances. This rare and historic live recording is the only live performance that captures AWB's original drummer, Robbie McIntosh, who died in tragic circumstances just as "AWB" and its lead single ‘Pick Up The Pieces’ started to break the charts worldwide.
|
Full Catalogue Search