Universal Schallplatten & CDs

Review: LA Lom's March 2024 show at Chicago's Thalia Hall debuts on vinyl for Record Store Day 2025 a year or so after the band's defining live moment. Just months after packing the Empty Bottle, the band returned to an even larger crowd, which served as proof of their ever-growing Chicago fanbase. Determined to keep the raw energy of their LA roots alive, they built a bright red round stage in the centre of the hall and were surrounded by fans dancing and singing from every side. The night was captured on film and tape by longtime collaborator Jacob Butler and now, the much talked about performance featuring original tracks, classic cumbia covers and a Smokey Robinson ballad finally makes its way to wax.

Review: Alt's 'N Outs unearths hidden gems from the vaults of Blue Note Records here and presents alternate takes and bonus tracks from six iconic albums, all of which now land on vinyl for the first time. Pressed on 180g opaque blue wax, this Record Store Day exclusive features rare session material from legendary recordings including Cannonball Adderley's Somethin' Else, Grant Green's Idle Moments, Wayne Shorter's Speak No Evil, Art Blakey's Moanin', Jimmy Smith's Back at the Chicken Shack and Sonny Clark's Cool Struttin'. Long available only on CD or digital, these tracks offer a fresh perspective on classic sessions and show the spontaneous brilliance that made Blue Note so legendary.

Review: Recorded in 1992 in London and New York, Voyager 1 is a unique live album by UK outfit The Verve-then known simply as Verve-that was cunningly designed to resemble a bootleg but was officially released to introduce the band to US audiences via Virgin's indie label Vernon Yard. It actually predates their debut album A Storm in Heaven, but the set captures the band's raw, psychedelic energy - we're well before the Britpop years, when Ashcroft and co were in a decidedly more sonically swampy, shoegaze groove - with standout versions of 'She's A Superstar,' the hypnotic early single 'Gravity Grave' and 'Slide Away.' Also included is 'South Pacific,' which remained unreleased in studio form for decades, proving to be a swirling, oceanic closer, faithfully remastered from analogue tapes at Abbey Road Studios.