Be-Bop Deluxe Legend Bill Nelson’s Unreleased Album “Powertron” Available May 3, 2024!

Recorded in 2016, “Powertron” has languished in the Bill Nelson archives for eight years.

A potent collection of twelve pieces that highlight Nelson’s prowess and invention as a guitarist.

“Its genesis came whilst recording tracks for ‘The Jewel’ album. Amongst these was a track titled ‘Drive Shaft’ which I considered too brash for ‘The Jewel’, but too good to abandon. I decided to create a suitable album to house ‘Drive Shaft’ and ‘Powertron’ was the result. It’s an album of left-field rock songs, mainly vocal but layered with loud and edgy guitars. It will appeal to those who enjoy the wilder side of my work.” - Bill Nelson

Track list:
01) Fascinating Noise
02) A River On The Edge Of Time
03) Dreams And Smoke (Flow With The River)
04) The Moon Came In My Window
05) Where's The Wonder?
06) Loose Chippings
07) When I Don't Feel Blue
08) Moments In The Day
09) Fair Winds And Steam Machines
10) Sailing My Boat
11) Laughing Sailors, Raging Seas
12) Drive Shaft

To pre-order CD in jewel case: https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_powertron_cd

Also available:
“Starlight Stories”: https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_starlight-stories_cd
“All The Fun Of The Fair”: https://www.billnelson.com/fun-of-the-fair

Available as both physical CD (from Burning Shed) or as a digital download (from Bandcamp).

For more information: https://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Bill Nelson’s “Starlight Stories” Now Available!

Bill Nelson’s “Starlight Stories” is an album comprising a mixture of song based and instrumental material issued on the Sonoluxe label in a limited edition of 1000 copies, and available digitally.

Despite being recorded during the same 2022 recording sessions that produced the “All The Fun Of The Fair” album, “Starlight Stories” has a wholly different atmosphere and intent.

Wistful and melancholic, the album contains dreamy meditations fed through the filter of Bill Nelson's contemporary musical sensibility.

“The inspiration for many of the songs came from my memories of a set of children’s story books, published in the 1920s, that my Mother had owned when she was a child in the early 1930s. She had kept these books and would read to me from them when I was an infant in the early 1950s. They were thick, heavy bound books with embossed covers and had titles such as ‘The Golden Wonder Book For Children’. They were brilliantly illustrated by artists who displayed a combination of Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles. The books contained stories by famous authors such as HG Wells, Miguel De Cervantes, Homer, William Blake and others, plus poems by various poets, both classical and contemporary to those times. I was entranced by the wonderful stories and illustrations they contained. They had an aura of magic and mystery about them, with fairy tales and evocatively British poetry, filled with seasonal and rustic imagery. A treasure trove of fantasy and adventure, which I loved.

‘Starlight Stories’ doesn’t attempt to directly portray those old books but it does try to capture some of their atmosphere and manifest my nostalgia for them. Consequently, the songs on this album have a softer, melancholic quality about them, albeit with some distressed, patina-like textures that evoke the scent and feel of those old books. They are dreamy meditations, wistful reveries fed through the filter of my contemporary musical sensibility. I hope they will, in some small way, connect you with your own lost story books, as well as with mine.” - Bill Nelson 2023.

TRACKS:
01) A Wide Open Window (With A View Of The Stars)
02) Sailing Through Skies Of Blue
03) Antoria
04) My Signal Light
05) Goodbye Golden Sands
06) Everything Is Ancient Now
07) Standing In A Starlit Room
08) Slow, Slow, Slow
09) Meanwhile, Elsewhere
10) Ghosts Of Ancient Houses
11) Celestrum
12) Starlight Stories
13) The Land Of Lost Dreams
14) The Doctor Was An Alchemist
15) Ian’s Radio Is On

To order:
“Starlight Stories” is available for purchase at the Dreamsville Store: https://www.billnelson.com/starlight-stories
and Burning Shed: https://burningshed.com/store/billnelson/bill-nelson_starlight-stories_cd

Also available, Bill Nelson “All The Fun Of The Fair”: https://www.billnelson.com/fun-of-the-fair

Available as both physical CD (from Burning Shed) or as a digital download (from Bandcamp).

For more information: www.billnelson.com

Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Hot Valves” Remastered 10-inch Vinyl of Classic EP From 1976 Released November 24, 2023

• NEW REMASTERED 10-INCH VINYL RE-ISSUE OF THIS CLASSIC EP FROM 1976.

• FULLY RESTORED ARTWORK.

Originally issued in November 1976, the “Hot Valves” EP version featured four classic Be-Bop Deluxe songs, “Maid in Heaven”, “Bring Back the Spark”, “Blazing Apostles” and “Jet Silver and the Dolls of Venus” and was a UK Top 40 hit upon its release.

This new 10-inch EP edition has been cut from the original master tapes and is issued as part of Cherry Red Records’ 45s at 45 series.

TRACK LISTING

Side One
1 Maid in Heaven
2 Bring Back the Spark

Side Two
1 Blazing Apostles
2 Jet Silver and the Dolls of Venus

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-hot-valves-10-vinyl-ep/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Sunburst Finish” New Vinyl Reissue Released April 28, 2023

• NEW VINYL EDITION OF THE STEPHEN W TAYLER REMIX OF THE CLASSIC 1976 ALBUM BY BE-BOP DELUXE, CUT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS.

• WITH RESTORED ORIGINAL ARTWORK OF THE 1976 LP RELEASE.

Recorded in the Autumn of 1975 at Abbey Road studios (with some sessions also taking place at AIR studios in London), “Sunburst Finish” was the third album by Be-Bop Deluxe and the first to feature the line-up of Bill Nelson (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Charlie Tumahai (bass, vocals), Andy Clark (keyboards) and Simon Fox (drums). It was also the first Be Bop album to be co-produced by Nelson and John Leckie. An album of immense musical inventiveness and creativity, “Sunburst Finish” was one of the finest albums of its era, a perfect cohesion of ten classic songs written by Bill Nelson (featuring his highly imaginative guitar playing) and a stylized and striking artwork package.

Featuring such classic material as “Heavenly Homes”, “Crying to the Sky”, “Sleep that Burns”, “Life in the Air Age”, “Crystal Gazing” and “Blazing Apostles”, the album also spawned the hit single “Ships in the Night” and launched Be-Bop Deluxe as one of the major breakthrough acts of 1976.

This new vinyl edition features the remix of the album by Stephen W Tayler and has been cut at Abbey Road Studios and restores the original LP artwork.

Track Listing:
Side One
1 Fair Exchange
2 Heavenly Homes
3 Ships in the Night
4 Crying to the Sky
5 Sleep That Burns

Side Two
1 Beauty Secrets
2 Life in the Air Age
3 Like an Old Blues
4 Crystal Gazing
5 Blazing Apostles

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-sunburst-finish-vinyl-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Bill Nelson’s Red Noise “Art/Empire/Industry – The Complete Red Noise” 6CD Remastered Box Set Available August 26, 2022

• A NEW SIX DISC BOXED SET OF THE COMPLETE RECORDINGS MADE BY BILL NELSON’S RED NOISE – COMPRISING FOUR CDs AND TWO DVDs (NTSC/REGION FREE).

• FEATURING A NEWLY REMASTERED EDITION OF THE ALBUM ‘SOUND ON SOUND’, ALONG WITH NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND AND NEW STEREO MIXES BY STEVEN WILSON.

• INCLUDES A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED CONCERT RECORDED IN LEICESTER IN FEBRUARY 1979 NEWLY MIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES, PLUS BILL NELSON’S HOME DEMOS, ADDITIONAL SESSION TRACKS AND A BBC RADIO SESSION FROM 1979.

• WITH BONUS VIDEO CONTENT OF THE PROMOTIONAL VIDEO OF ‘REVOLT INTO STYLE’ AND A SESSION FILMED FOR BBC TV’S OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST IN 1979.

• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY-ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH EXTENSIVE ESSAY BY BILL NELSON AND A FOREWORD BY STEVE WILSON, A FACSIMILE TOUR PROGRAMME, POSTER AND FOUR POSTCARDS.

Following the release of the album “Drastic Plastic” and tour, Bill Nelson disbanded Be-Bop Deluxe. Aware of the emergence of the New Wave artists and out of a desire to continually evolve, he announced the formation of Red Noise.

Working with co-producer John Leckie, Bill recorded a new wave masterpiece, a record that would influence a new generation of musicians with its intelligent and punchy material. “Sound On Sound” and the subsequent live shows would divide opinion of both fans and critics, but with the passage of time, the album is now regarded as one of Bill Nelson’s finest works.

This boxed set features the complete Red Noise recordings; the original album newly remastered by Steven Wilson from the original master tapes, along with stunning new stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes.

The set also includes an outstanding complete live concert recorded in Leicester in 1979, newly mixed from the original 24-track tapes, a session recorded for BBC Radio One and a further Red Noise studio session from May 1979 plus a bonus CD of Bill Nelson’s home demos. The set also includes video material, including the video for “Revolt Into Style” and the band’s session for the BBC TV show “The Old Grey Whistle Test” from February 1979.

Track Listing:

DISC ONE
SOUND ON SOUND REMASTERED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors (B-side of ‘Furniture Music’ EP)
15 Stay Young (BBC session 17.02.1979)
16 Furniture Music (BBC session 17.02.1979)
17 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC session 17.02.1979)
18 Out of Touch (BBC session 17.02.1979)

DISC TWO
LIVE AT THE DE MONTFORT HALL, LEICESTER 1979
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (live)
2 For Young Moderns (live)
3 Furniture Music (live)
4 Out of Touch (live)
5 Stop-Go-Stop (live)
6 Atom Age (live)
7 Possession (live)
8 Superenigmatix (live)
9 Substitute Flesh (live)
10 Phantom Zone (live)
11 Radar in My Heart (live)
12 Art / Empire / Industry (live)
13 Revolt into Style (live)
14 Stay Young (live)
15 For Young Moderns (Encore) (live)

DISC THREE
SOUND ON SOUND NEW STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric)
2 For Young Moderns
3 Stop / Go / Stop
4 Furniture Music
5 Radar in My Heart
6 Stay Young
7 Out of Touch
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone
9 Substitute Flesh
10 The Atom Age
11 Art / Empire / Industry
12 Revolt into Style Bonus tracks
13 Wonder Toys That Last Forever
14 Acquitted by Mirrors
15 My Light (previously unreleased) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
16 Instantly Yours
17 Ideal Homes
18 Disposable

DISC FOUR
SOUND ON SOUND
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX
NEW STEREO MIX ORIGINAL STEREO MIX
1 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (5.1 mix)
2 For Young Moderns (5.1 mix)
3 Stop / Go / Stop (5.1 mix)
4 Furniture Music (5.1 mix)
5 Radar in My Heart (5.1 mix)
6 Stay Young (5.1 mix)
7 Out of Touch (5.1 mix)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (5.1 mix)
9 Substitute Flesh (5.1 mix)
10 The Atom Age (5.1 mix)
11 Art / Empire / Industry (5.1 mix)
12 Revolt into Style (5.1 mix)

DISC FIVE
ADDITIONAL RED NOISE SESSIONS
96 kHz/24-BIT 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIXES
NEW STEREO MIXES ORIGINAL STEREO MIXES
1 Wonder Toys That Last Forever (5.1 mix)
2 Acquitted by Mirrors (5.1 mix)
3 My Light (5.1 mix) Recorded for the “Sound on Sound” sessions
4 Instantly Yours (5.1 mix)
5 Ideal Homes (5.1 mix)
6 Disposable (5.1 mix)
RAK Studios, London May 1979

VIDEO CONTENT
PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Revolt into Style (Promotional video 1979)
2 Don’t Touch Me (I’m Electric) (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test – 1979)
3 Furniture Music (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)
4 Stay Young (BBC TV Old Grey Whistle Test 1979)

DISC SIX
BILL NELSON RED NOISE DEMOS 1978 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED
1 Acquitted by Mirrors (demo)
2 For Young Moderns (demo) 3 Stop Go Stop (demo)
4 Furniture Music (demo)
5 Radar in My Heart (demo)
6 Stay Young (demo)
7 Out of Touch (demo)
8 A Better Home in the Phantom Zone (demo)
9 Substitute Flesh (demo)
10 The Atom Age (demo)
11 Revolt into Style (demo)
12 Waiting for the Night (demo)
13 My Light (demo)

To pre-order: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/bill-nelsons-red-noise-art-empire-industry-the-complete-red-noise-6cd-remastered-box-set/

Bill Nelson’s Dreamsville official website: https://www.billnelson.com/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” Deluxe 16 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set Available For Pre-order

Esoteric presents Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” – an expanded edition of the classic 1977 live album!

• A DELUXE 16 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1977 LIVE ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• THE ORIGINAL ALBUM IS NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES RESTORING THE CORRECT ALBUM
RUNNING ORDER
• WITH AN ADDITIONAL 14 CDs FEATURING EVERY CONCERT RECORDED ON THE BE BOP DELUXE UK TOUR OF
FEBRUARY & MARCH 1977 ALL NEWLY REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES BY STEPHEN W. TAYLER
• INCLUDES A BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION FROM JANUARY 1977
• ALSO INCLUDES A DVD (NTSC / REGION FREE) OF THE STAR RIDER IN CONCERT TV FILM FIRST SCREENED IN 1977,
RELEASED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce a new re-mastered super-deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition release (comprising 15 CDs and a DVD) of “Live! In The Air Age” by Be-Bop Deluxe. This legendary live album was released in July 1977 and would prove to be the band’s most successful album, peaking at number 10 in the UK charts. The album was issued at a time of growing commercial success for the band and followed on the heels of two highly acclaimed studio albums in thirteen months, Sunburst Finish and Modern Music, both of which reached the top twenty of the UK album charts. Live! In the Air Age would be the band’s only live record and was recorded on a series of dates in the UK in February and March 1977 on the Rolling Stones mobile unit with John Leckie, who had engineered and co-produced the band’s previous two albums, supervising the location recordings.

The band’s UK tour began in late January and was an audio-visual extravaganza that featured the use of projection screens and excerpts from the 1927 German silent film Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s striking science fiction masterpiece. Continuing into February, the first concert to be recorded was at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on the 12th of that month. The following two nights saw concerts at the Grand Theatre in Leeds which were both captured on tape and saw Bill Nelson perform to an enthusiastic home audience. However, at this juncture fate would intervene to cause a postponement to the remainder of the tour. Travelling to a concert in Bristol on 15th February 1977, Bill Nelson and John Leckie were involved in a car accident which resulted in them being hospitalized at Huddersfield Infirmary. Thankfully, all involved recovered quickly from their injuries, but as a result of the accident, the remaining concerts were postponed until the end of March. The tour began again with two concerts at Hammersmith Odeon in London on March 25th and 26th 1977 which revealed the band to be on top form, feeding off the tremendous warmth of the audience. Further shows in Bristol and Bournemouth on the 27th and 28th March respectively also contained many fine moments. Bill Nelson and John Leckie selected the best performances for mixing at Abbey Road and Advision studios in London and “Live! In The Air Age” was released in July 1977.

Research of all of the Be-Bop Deluxe master tapes revealed that multi track tapes of all the shows recorded on the UK tour of 1977 had survived. After digitizing and listening through to all of the Rolling Stones mobile unit 24-track tapes it was decided to include each concert in its entirety in this expanded boxed set. The concerts were mixed over a period of several months by Stephen W. Tayler and are presented here for the very first time. They reveal the improvisational side of Be-Bop Deluxe, particularly on pieces such as “Shine” and “Blazing” Apostles which made each concert unique.

This set features the original album, newly remastered from the original master tapes, and restores the correct running order of the original LP release and has three bonus tracks drawn from a BBC Radio One JOHN PEEL SHOW session from January 1977. This box also adds an NTSC / Region Free DVD of STAR RIDER IN CONCERT – BE-BOP DELUXE, which was first screened on television in 1977 and appears exclusively in this boxed set for the first time. Finally, this limited-edition boxed set includes an illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Live! In The Air Age” is a fitting tribute to a fine live band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.

Released August 27, 2021

To pre-order:
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 15CD/1DVD Limited Edition Box Set: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-15cd-1dvd-limited-edition-box-set/
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 3CD Remastered & Expanded Edition: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-3cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” Deluxe 16 Disc Limited Edition Boxed Set Available For Pre-order

Esoteric presents Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” – an expanded edition of the classic 1977 live album!

• A DELUXE 16 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1977 LIVE ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• THE ORIGINAL ALBUM IS NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES RESTORING THE CORRECT ALBUM
RUNNING ORDER
• WITH AN ADDITIONAL 14 CDs FEATURING EVERY CONCERT RECORDED ON THE BE BOP DELUXE UK TOUR OF
FEBRUARY & MARCH 1977 ALL NEWLY REMIXED FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK TAPES BY STEPHEN W. TAYLER
• INCLUDES A BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION FROM JANUARY 1977
• ALSO INCLUDES A DVD (NTSC / REGION FREE) OF THE STAR RIDER IN CONCERT TV FILM FIRST SCREENED IN 1977,
RELEASED HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce a new re-mastered super-deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition release (comprising 15 CDs and a DVD) of “Live! In The Air Age” by Be-Bop Deluxe. This legendary live album was released in July 1977 and would prove to be the band’s most successful album, peaking at number 10 in the UK charts. The album was issued at a time of growing commercial success for the band and followed on the heels of two highly acclaimed studio albums in thirteen months, Sunburst Finish and Modern Music, both of which reached the top twenty of the UK album charts. Live! In the Air Age would be the band’s only live record and was recorded on a series of dates in the UK in February and March 1977 on the Rolling Stones mobile unit with John Leckie, who had engineered and co-produced the band’s previous two albums, supervising the location recordings.

The band’s UK tour began in late January and was an audio-visual extravaganza that featured the use of projection screens and excerpts from the 1927 German silent film Metropolis, director Fritz Lang’s striking science fiction masterpiece. Continuing into February, the first concert to be recorded was at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on the 12th of that month. The following two nights saw concerts at the Grand Theatre in Leeds which were both captured on tape and saw Bill Nelson perform to an enthusiastic home audience. However, at this juncture fate would intervene to cause a postponement to the remainder of the tour. Travelling to a concert in Bristol on 15th February 1977, Bill Nelson and John Leckie were involved in a car accident which resulted in them being hospitalized at Huddersfield Infirmary. Thankfully, all involved recovered quickly from their injuries, but as a result of the accident, the remaining concerts were postponed until the end of March. The tour began again with two concerts at Hammersmith Odeon in London on March 25th and 26th 1977 which revealed the band to be on top form, feeding off the tremendous warmth of the audience. Further shows in Bristol and Bournemouth on the 27th and 28th March respectively also contained many fine moments. Bill Nelson and John Leckie selected the best performances for mixing at Abbey Road and Advision studios in London and “Live! In The Air Age” was released in July 1977.

Research of all of the Be-Bop Deluxe master tapes revealed that multi track tapes of all the shows recorded on the UK tour of 1977 had survived. After digitizing and listening through to all of the Rolling Stones mobile unit 24-track tapes it was decided to include each concert in its entirety in this expanded boxed set. The concerts were mixed over a period of several months by Stephen W. Tayler and are presented here for the very first time. They reveal the improvisational side of Be-Bop Deluxe, particularly on pieces such as “Shine” and “Blazing” Apostles which made each concert unique.

This set features the original album, newly remastered from the original master tapes, and restores the correct running order of the original LP release and has three bonus tracks drawn from a BBC Radio One JOHN PEEL SHOW session from January 1977. This box also adds an NTSC / Region Free DVD of STAR RIDER IN CONCERT – BE-BOP DELUXE, which was first screened on television in 1977 and appears exclusively in this boxed set for the first time. Finally, this limited-edition boxed set includes an illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Live! In The Air Age” is a fitting tribute to a fine live band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.

Released August 27, 2021

To pre-order:
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 15CD/1DVD Limited Edition Box Set: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-15cd-1dvd-limited-edition-box-set/
Be-Bop Deluxe “Live! In The Air Age” 3CD Remastered & Expanded Edition: https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-live-in-the-air-age-3cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Drastic Plastic” 4CD/2DVD Deluxe Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released February 26, 2021

• A DELUXE 6 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1978 FINAL STUDIO ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 88 TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, NON-ALBUM SINGLES, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BILL NELSON DEMOS, A BBC RADIO JOHN PEEL SESSION AND THE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” PERFORMANCE FOR RADIO IN JANUARY 1978
• ALSO INCLUDES A VISUAL DVD FEATURING BILL NELSON’S HOME MOVIES OF THE DRASTIC PLASTIC SESSIONS AND THE 1978 BBC TV “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” BROADCAST
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered six-disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 4 CDs and two NTSTC – Region Free DVDs) of “Drastic Plastic” the classic 1978 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

“Drastic Plastic” would be the final Be-Bop Deluxe album and was recorded in the summer of 1978 in the South of France at The Villa Saint Georges, Juan-les-Pins, utilising the Rolling Stones mobile studio, with final sessions taking place at The Manor Studio and Abbey Road Studios. The record saw BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLES TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums) venture into new musical styles, with the album being ground-breaking in its move to more “art rock” and “new wave” influences. In many ways it can be seen as the signpost to where Bill Nelson would head with his RED NOISE project with a desire to continue to progress as an artist by pushing musical boundaries.

Co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE, “Drastic Plastic” was another hit album in both the UK and the USA and featured such classic material as “Electrical Language”, “Panic in the World”, “New Mysteries”, “Islands of the Dead” and “Surreal Estate”. The recording sessions produced many more tracks which would appear as singles (such as Japan) and others that were originally planned for release as an EP set (“Autosexual”, ‘Lovers are Mortal”, “Speed of the Wind”, “Quest for the Harvest of the Stars”, “Face in the Rain”), all of which eventually appeared on the retrospective compilation “The Best of & the Rest Of”… later in 1978.

This expanded deluxe reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 88 tracks, (43 of which are previously unreleased), drawn from stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio John Peel Show session from January 1978, along with a CD of Bill Nelson’s previously unreleased demos for the album, “A Feeling of Playing”.

Also included is an additional DVD featuring Be-Bop Deluxe in the South of France, (a collection of Bill Nelson’s 8mm home movies shot whilst recording “Drastic Plastic”) and the band’s Sight & Sound In Concert performance for BBC TV from 1978.

Another highlight of this limited-edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Drastic Plastic” is a fitting tribute to the creative vision of Bill Nelson and the musicianship of Be-Bop Deluxe.

Track List:

DISC ONE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX REMASTERED

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE
2. NEW PRECISION
3. NEW MYSTERIES
4. SURREAL ESTATE
5. LOVE IN FLAMES
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES
10. POSSESSION
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD
BONUS TRACKS
12. JAPAN
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO
14. PANIC IN THE WORLD (SINGLE EDIT)
15. BLUE AS A JEWEL
16. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (SINGLE VERSION)
17. LOVE IN FLAMES (SINGLE VERSION)
18. FACE IN THE RAIN (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)
19. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (TAKE FOUR) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
20. THE SAXOPHONIST (JUAN LES PINS VERSION) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC TWO:
ADDITIONAL TRACKS & SESSIONS

1. AUTOSEXUAL
2. LOVERS ARE MORTAL
3. BLIMPS
4. SPEED OF THE WIND
5. QUEST OF HARVEST FOR THE STARS

RECORDED AT THE MANOR STUDIO, AUGUST 1977 FOR AN INTENDED EP

6. NEW PRECISION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
7. SUPERENIGMATIX (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
8. POSSESSION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
9. DANGEROUS STRANGER (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
10. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
11. PANIC IN THE WORLD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
12. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
13. LOVE IN FLAMES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
14. BLAZING APOSTLES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” – 19th JANUARY 1978

15. SUPERENIGMATIX (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
16. POSSESSION (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
17. PANIC IN THE WORLD (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
18. LOVE IN FLAMES (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION –
30th JANUARY 1978

DISC THREE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE NEW STEREO MIXES

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. NEW PRECISION (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. NEW MYSTERIES (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. SURREAL ESTATE (NEW STEREO MIX)
5. LOVE IN FLAMES (NEW STEREO MIX)
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING) (NEW STEREO MIX)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. POSSESSION (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (NEW STEREO MIX)

SINGLES AND EP TRACKS
12. JAPAN (NEW STEREO MIX)
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO (NEW STEREO MIX)
14. BLUE AS A JEWEL (NEW STEREO MIX)
15. AUTOSEXUAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
16. FACE IN THE RAIN (NEW STEREO MIX)
17. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
18. SPEED OF THE WIND (NEW STEREO MIX)
19. QUEST FOR THE HARVEST OF THE STARS (NEW STEREO MIX)

For more information:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-4cd-2dvd-deluxe-box-set/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-2cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Be-Bop Deluxe “Drastic Plastic” 4CD/2DVD Deluxe Box Set Available For Pre-order

Released February 26, 2021

• A DELUXE 6 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1978 FINAL STUDIO ALBUM BY BE BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 88 TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, NON-ALBUM SINGLES, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED BILL NELSON DEMOS, A BBC RADIO JOHN PEEL SESSION AND THE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” PERFORMANCE FOR RADIO IN JANUARY 1978
• ALSO INCLUDES A VISUAL DVD FEATURING BILL NELSON’S HOME MOVIES OF THE DRASTIC PLASTIC SESSIONS AND THE 1978 BBC TV “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” BROADCAST
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered six-disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 4 CDs and two NTSTC – Region Free DVDs) of “Drastic Plastic” the classic 1978 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

“Drastic Plastic” would be the final Be-Bop Deluxe album and was recorded in the summer of 1978 in the South of France at The Villa Saint Georges, Juan-les-Pins, utilising the Rolling Stones mobile studio, with final sessions taking place at The Manor Studio and Abbey Road Studios. The record saw BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLES TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums) venture into new musical styles, with the album being ground-breaking in its move to more “art rock” and “new wave” influences. In many ways it can be seen as the signpost to where Bill Nelson would head with his RED NOISE project with a desire to continue to progress as an artist by pushing musical boundaries.

Co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE, “Drastic Plastic” was another hit album in both the UK and the USA and featured such classic material as “Electrical Language”, “Panic in the World”, “New Mysteries”, “Islands of the Dead” and “Surreal Estate”. The recording sessions produced many more tracks which would appear as singles (such as Japan) and others that were originally planned for release as an EP set (“Autosexual”, ‘Lovers are Mortal”, “Speed of the Wind”, “Quest for the Harvest of the Stars”, “Face in the Rain”), all of which eventually appeared on the retrospective compilation “The Best of & the Rest Of”… later in 1978.

This expanded deluxe reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 88 tracks, (43 of which are previously unreleased), drawn from stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio John Peel Show session from January 1978, along with a CD of Bill Nelson’s previously unreleased demos for the album, “A Feeling of Playing”.

Also included is an additional DVD featuring Be-Bop Deluxe in the South of France, (a collection of Bill Nelson’s 8mm home movies shot whilst recording “Drastic Plastic”) and the band’s Sight & Sound In Concert performance for BBC TV from 1978.

Another highlight of this limited-edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of “Drastic Plastic” is a fitting tribute to the creative vision of Bill Nelson and the musicianship of Be-Bop Deluxe.

Track List:

DISC ONE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX REMASTERED

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE
2. NEW PRECISION
3. NEW MYSTERIES
4. SURREAL ESTATE
5. LOVE IN FLAMES
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES
10. POSSESSION
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD
BONUS TRACKS
12. JAPAN
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO
14. PANIC IN THE WORLD (SINGLE EDIT)
15. BLUE AS A JEWEL
16. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (SINGLE VERSION)
17. LOVE IN FLAMES (SINGLE VERSION)
18. FACE IN THE RAIN (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED ON CD)
19. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (TAKE FOUR) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
20. THE SAXOPHONIST (JUAN LES PINS VERSION) (PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC TWO:
ADDITIONAL TRACKS & SESSIONS

1. AUTOSEXUAL
2. LOVERS ARE MORTAL
3. BLIMPS
4. SPEED OF THE WIND
5. QUEST OF HARVEST FOR THE STARS

RECORDED AT THE MANOR STUDIO, AUGUST 1977 FOR AN INTENDED EP

6. NEW PRECISION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
7. SUPERENIGMATIX (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
8. POSSESSION (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
9. DANGEROUS STRANGER (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
10. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
11. PANIC IN THE WORLD (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
12. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
13. LOVE IN FLAMES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)
14. BLAZING APOSTLES (BBC IN CONCERT 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE “SIGHT & SOUND IN CONCERT” – 19th JANUARY 1978

15. SUPERENIGMATIX (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
16. POSSESSION (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
17. PANIC IN THE WORLD (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)
18. LOVE IN FLAMES (JOHN PEEL SESSION 1978)

BBC RADIO ONE JOHN PEEL SESSION –
30th JANUARY 1978

DISC THREE:
DRASTIC PLASTIC
THE NEW STEREO MIXES

1. ELECTRICAL LANGUAGE (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. NEW PRECISION (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. NEW MYSTERIES (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. SURREAL ESTATE (NEW STEREO MIX)
5. LOVE IN FLAMES (NEW STEREO MIX)
6. PANIC IN THE WORLD (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. DANGEROUS STRANGER (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. SUPERENIGMATIX (LETHAL APPLIANCES FOR THE HOME WITH EVERYTHING) (NEW STEREO MIX)
9. VISIONS OF ENDLESS HOPES (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. POSSESSION (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. ISLANDS OF THE DEAD (NEW STEREO MIX)

SINGLES AND EP TRACKS
12. JAPAN (NEW STEREO MIX)
13. FUTURIST MANIFESTO (NEW STEREO MIX)
14. BLUE AS A JEWEL (NEW STEREO MIX)
15. AUTOSEXUAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
16. FACE IN THE RAIN (NEW STEREO MIX)
17. LOVERS ARE MORTAL (NEW STEREO MIX)
18. SPEED OF THE WIND (NEW STEREO MIX)
19. QUEST FOR THE HARVEST OF THE STARS (NEW STEREO MIX)

For more information:
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-4cd-2dvd-deluxe-box-set/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-drastic-plastic-2cd-remastered-expanded-edition/

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Crossover Prog Review: Be-Bop Deluxe-Modern Music Reissue (4 CD/1 DVD)

Release Date:  December 6, 2019

Label:  Esoteric Recordings

Website

Born out of the blues-based British rock scene of the late 1960s, Be-Bop Deluxe are part glam, part pop, part punk, and part prog. This limited five disk (4 CD/1 DVD) reissue of their 1976 classic Modern Music is a complete remaster from the original tapes. The box set contains unreleased out-takes, a BBC Radio concert performance, A TV session from BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, and a previously unreleased bootleg of a performance at the Riviera Theater in Chicago. These recordings were all captured during the height of the band’s creativity in 1976.

Founder Bill Nelson’s vocals conjure the earthiness of Billy Joel mixed with the gravitas of David Bowie. Lyrically, the album was inspired by the disillusionment Nelson felt toward the music business after touring the U.S. and a longing for home. Far ahead of their time, one doesn’t have to listen too carefully to hear the influence they had on post-punk English bands such as The Jam, XTC & Joy Division.

Disc 1 contains the remastered album in its entirety. “Kiss of Light” is chockfull of catchy hooks amplified by screaming guitar. It is but one side of the band as they switch gears with a softer, multi-textured beauty in “The Gold at the End of My Rainbow.” “Shine” is an extended seven-minute rock and funk jam initially released as the B side to “Kiss of Light” and this reviewer’s personal favorite.

Disc 2 is the real gem of the collection with “First Versions” and “New Stereo Mixes” of the entire album.  Those that stand out are: “The Bird Charmer’s Destiny” and “Forbidden Lovers.” Free from the sanitization of heavy production, these tracks are sharp, organic renditions, and the heart and soul of the collection. The “New Stereo Mixes” give the listener a feel for how alternative arrangements may have affected the final song.

Disc 3 gives the listener a taste of Modern Music live, with select tracks from a live show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. “Blazing Apostles” is an extended twelve-minute sojourn where the progressive runs of Nelson’s concise guitar work are met with Simon Fox’s deep rhythms and Andrew Clark’s dancing piano riffs. This respite rings a bell in the harbor of your mind, clearing the fog and guiding you safely to shore.

While Disc 3 constrains itself to Modern Music, Disc 4 reaches back with music from the band’s first three albums, Axe Victim (1974), Futurama (1975), and Sunburst (1976) live from Riviera Theater in Chicago. Previously unreleased, the live guitar work of Bill Nelson on this disk is exceptional and will leave you wondering how he flew under the radar for so long and never reached the commercial success he so deserves. On this disc, you’ll hear the unrestrained sounds of the band breathing new life into their most popular hits at the time.

Be-Bop Deluxe is a sound you’ll feel you’ve heard before, yet it is unlike anything you’ve heard before. Textures, even within the same songs, are interspersed to produce a profound effect. You’ll hear T-Rex-like rock riffs followed by Genesis-like playful explorations followed by Jeff Buckley-like resonant vocals. If you’re discovering Be-Bop Deluxe for the first time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and feel as if you’ve unearthed a real gem.  If you’ve known them all along, this reissue, especially Disc 2 and 4, will take your appreciation to new heights.
 
Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff
November 22, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:

The Final on Vinyl

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write a Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate the Tracks

TRACKS:
Disc 1: CD
Modern Music
The Original Stereo Mix:

01. Orphans of Babylon
02. Twilight Capers
03. Kiss of Light
04. The Bird Charmers Destiny
05. The Gold at the End of My Rainbow
06. Bring Back the Spark
07. Modern Music
08. Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone)
09. Honeymoon on Mars
10. Lost in the Neon World
11. Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids
12. Modern Music (Reprise)
13. Forbidden Lovers
14. Down on Terminal Street
15. Make the Music Magic
16. Shine (B-Side of Single)

Disc 2: CD
Modern Music
The New Stereo Mix:

01. Orphans of Babylon (New Stereo Mix)
02. Twilight Capers (New Stereo Mix)
03. Kiss of Light (New Stereo Mix)
04. The Bird Charmers Destiny (New Stereo Mix)
05. The Gold at the End of My Rainbow (New Stereo Mix)
06. Bring Back the Spark (New Stereo Mix)
07. Modern Music (New Stereo Mix)
08. Dancing in the Moonlight (New Stereo Mix)
09. Honeymoon on Mars (New Stereo Mix)
10. Lost in the Neon World (New Stereo Mix)
11. Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids (New Stereo Mix)
12. Modern Music (Reprise) (New Stereo Mix)
13. Forbidden Lovers (New Stereo Mix)
14. Down on Terminal Street (New Stereo Mix)
15. Make the Music Magic (New Stereo Mix)
16. Shining (New Stereo Mix)
17. Forbidden Lovers (First Version)
18. The Bird Charmer’s Destiny (First Version)

Disk 3: CD
BBC Radio One “In Concert” October 2, 1976 at Hammersmith Odeon London

01. Made in Heaven
02. Bring Back the Spark
03. Kiss of Light
04. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape
05. Fair Exchange
06. Ships in the Night
07. Twilight Capers
08. Modern Music
09. Blazing Apostles

Disk 4: CD
Live at the Riviera Theatre, Chicago, March 1976.

01. Fair Exchange
02. Stage Whispers
03. Life in the Air Age
04. Sister Seagull
05. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape
06. Maid in Heaven
07. Ships in the Night
08. Bill’s Blues
09. Blazing Apostles

Disk 4: DVD

Crossover Prog Review: Be-Bop Deluxe-Modern Music Reissue (4 CD/1 DVD)

Release Date:  December 6, 2019

Label:  Esoteric Recordings

Website

Born out of the blues-based British rock scene of the late 1960s, Be-Bop Deluxe are part glam, part pop, part punk, and part prog. This limited five disk (4 CD/1 DVD) reissue of their 1976 classic Modern Music is a complete remaster from the original tapes. The box set contains unreleased out-takes, a BBC Radio concert performance, A TV session from BBC’s Old Grey Whistle Test, and a previously unreleased bootleg of a performance at the Riviera Theater in Chicago. These recordings were all captured during the height of the band’s creativity in 1976.

Founder Bill Nelson’s vocals conjure the earthiness of Billy Joel mixed with the gravitas of David Bowie. Lyrically, the album was inspired by the disillusionment Nelson felt toward the music business after touring the U.S. and a longing for home. Far ahead of their time, one doesn’t have to listen too carefully to hear the influence they had on post-punk English bands such as The Jam, XTC & Joy Division.

Disc 1 contains the remastered album in its entirety. “Kiss of Light” is chockfull of catchy hooks amplified by screaming guitar. It is but one side of the band as they switch gears with a softer, multi-textured beauty in “The Gold at the End of My Rainbow.” “Shine” is an extended seven-minute rock and funk jam initially released as the B side to “Kiss of Light” and this reviewer’s personal favorite.

Disc 2 is the real gem of the collection with “First Versions” and “New Stereo Mixes” of the entire album.  Those that stand out are: “The Bird Charmer’s Destiny” and “Forbidden Lovers.” Free from the sanitization of heavy production, these tracks are sharp, organic renditions, and the heart and soul of the collection. The “New Stereo Mixes” give the listener a feel for how alternative arrangements may have affected the final song.

Disc 3 gives the listener a taste of Modern Music live, with select tracks from a live show at the Hammersmith Odeon in London. “Blazing Apostles” is an extended twelve-minute sojourn where the progressive runs of Nelson’s concise guitar work are met with Simon Fox’s deep rhythms and Andrew Clark’s dancing piano riffs. This respite rings a bell in the harbor of your mind, clearing the fog and guiding you safely to shore.

While Disc 3 constrains itself to Modern Music, Disc 4 reaches back with music from the band’s first three albums, Axe Victim (1974), Futurama (1975), and Sunburst (1976) live from Riviera Theater in Chicago. Previously unreleased, the live guitar work of Bill Nelson on this disk is exceptional and will leave you wondering how he flew under the radar for so long and never reached the commercial success he so deserves. On this disc, you’ll hear the unrestrained sounds of the band breathing new life into their most popular hits at the time.

Be-Bop Deluxe is a sound you’ll feel you’ve heard before, yet it is unlike anything you’ve heard before. Textures, even within the same songs, are interspersed to produce a profound effect. You’ll hear T-Rex-like rock riffs followed by Genesis-like playful explorations followed by Jeff Buckley-like resonant vocals. If you’re discovering Be-Bop Deluxe for the first time, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and feel as if you’ve unearthed a real gem.  If you’ve known them all along, this reissue, especially Disc 2 and 4, will take your appreciation to new heights.
 
Tom Endyke - MuzikMan.net Staff
November 22, 2019

REVIEWS PROVIDED BY:

The Final on Vinyl

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write a Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate the Tracks

TRACKS:
Disc 1: CD
Modern Music
The Original Stereo Mix:

01. Orphans of Babylon
02. Twilight Capers
03. Kiss of Light
04. The Bird Charmers Destiny
05. The Gold at the End of My Rainbow
06. Bring Back the Spark
07. Modern Music
08. Dancing in the Moonlight (All Alone)
09. Honeymoon on Mars
10. Lost in the Neon World
11. Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids
12. Modern Music (Reprise)
13. Forbidden Lovers
14. Down on Terminal Street
15. Make the Music Magic
16. Shine (B-Side of Single)

Disc 2: CD
Modern Music
The New Stereo Mix:

01. Orphans of Babylon (New Stereo Mix)
02. Twilight Capers (New Stereo Mix)
03. Kiss of Light (New Stereo Mix)
04. The Bird Charmers Destiny (New Stereo Mix)
05. The Gold at the End of My Rainbow (New Stereo Mix)
06. Bring Back the Spark (New Stereo Mix)
07. Modern Music (New Stereo Mix)
08. Dancing in the Moonlight (New Stereo Mix)
09. Honeymoon on Mars (New Stereo Mix)
10. Lost in the Neon World (New Stereo Mix)
11. Dance of the Uncle Sam Humanoids (New Stereo Mix)
12. Modern Music (Reprise) (New Stereo Mix)
13. Forbidden Lovers (New Stereo Mix)
14. Down on Terminal Street (New Stereo Mix)
15. Make the Music Magic (New Stereo Mix)
16. Shining (New Stereo Mix)
17. Forbidden Lovers (First Version)
18. The Bird Charmer’s Destiny (First Version)

Disk 3: CD
BBC Radio One “In Concert” October 2, 1976 at Hammersmith Odeon London

01. Made in Heaven
02. Bring Back the Spark
03. Kiss of Light
04. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape
05. Fair Exchange
06. Ships in the Night
07. Twilight Capers
08. Modern Music
09. Blazing Apostles

Disk 4: CD
Live at the Riviera Theatre, Chicago, March 1976.

01. Fair Exchange
02. Stage Whispers
03. Life in the Air Age
04. Sister Seagull
05. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape
06. Maid in Heaven
07. Ships in the Night
08. Bill’s Blues
09. Blazing Apostles

Disk 4: DVD

BE-BOP DELUXE MODERN MUSIC 5 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET

Released December 6, 2019

• A DELUXE 5 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1976 ALBUM BY BE-BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 55 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, A CONCERT RECORDED BY BBC RADIO FROM OCTOBER 1976, A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED “OFFICIAL BOOTLEG” RECORDING OF A CONCERT AT THE RIVIERA THEATER IN CHICAGO IN MARCH 1976, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED OUT-TAKES FROM THE ALBUM SESSIONS, ALONG WITH A BBC TV OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST APPEARANCE FROM NOVEMBER 1976
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered five-disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 4 CDs and a DVD) of MODERN MUSIC the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

Recorded in June and July 1976 at Abbey Road Studio Three, MODERN MUSIC was the fourth album by Be Bop Deluxe and the second to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLES TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). Following on from the success and critical praise for the band’s previous album SUNBURST FINISH, the album was once more co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE.

Much of the material appearing on the album was conceived by Bill Nelson whilst Be Bop Deluxe were undertaking their first tour of the USA in March 1976. The wonderful and expansive MODERN MUSIC “suite” which dominated the album was inspired by Bill’s experiences of America, the disillusionment with the US music business and a longing for home. Beside the fine achievement of the suite, MODERN MUSIC also featured other fine songs such as Orphans of Babylon, Kiss of Light, The Bird Charmers Destiny and the epic Down on Terminal Street, all of which ensured that the album was a hit in both the UK and the USA.

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 55 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from October 1976, along with a bonus CD of a previously unreleased “official bootleg” of a performance at The Riviera Theater in Chicago in March 1976 recorded for FM Radio on Be Bop Deluxe’s first US tour which features a rare jam entitled Bill’s Blues. The set also includes visual material taken from a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show broadcast in November 1976.

Another highlight of this limited-edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of MODERN MUSIC is a fitting tribute to a fine band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.



TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: CD

MODERN MUSIC
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX:

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS
3. KISS OF LIGHT
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK
7. MODERN MUSIC
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC
BONUS TRACK
16. SHINE (B-SIDE OF SINGLE)

DISC TWO: CD

MODERN MUSIC
THE NEW STEREO MIX:

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY
(NEW STEREO MIX)
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
(NEW STEREO MIX)
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. MODERN MUSIC (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
(NEW STEREO MIX)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
(NEW STEREO MIX)
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE) (NEW STEREO MIX)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (NEW STEREO MIX)
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (NEW STEREO MIX)
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC (NEW STEREO MIX)
BONUS TRACKS
16. SHINE (NEW STEREO MIX)
17. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (FIRST VERSION)
18. THE BIRD CHARMER’S DESTINY (FIRST VERSION)

DISC THREE: CD

BBC RADIO ONE “IN CONCERT”
RECORDED 2ND OCTOBER 1976 AT HAMMERSMITH ODEON, LONDON

1. MAID IN HEAVEN (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
2. BRING BACK THE SPARK
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
4. ADVENTURES IN A YORKSHIRE LANDSCAPE
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
5. FAIR EXCHANGE (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
6. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
7. TWILIGHT CAPERS (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
8. MODERN MUSIC (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
i. MODERN MUSIC
ii. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
(ALL ALONE)
iii. HONEYMOON ON MARS
iv. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD
v. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM
HUMANOIDS
vi. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE)
9. BLAZING APOSTLES
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)

DISC FOUR: CD

LIVE AT THE RIVIERA THEATRE, CHICAGO 21ST MARCH 1976 –
THE OFFICIAL BOOTLEG

1. FAIR EXCHANGE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
2. STAGE WHISPERS
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
3. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. SISTER SEAGULL
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
5. ADVENTURES IN A YORKSHIRE LANDSCAPE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. MAID IN HEAVEN
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
8. BILL’S BLUES
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
9. BLAZING APOSTLES
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC FIVE: DVD

MODERN MUSIC–
THE 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX / NEW STEREO MIX (96 KHZ / 24-BIT) / ORIGINAL STEREO MIX (96 KHZ / 24-BIT)

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON (5.1 MIX)
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS (5.1 MIX)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (5.1 MIX)
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY (5.1 MIX)
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
(5.1 MIX)
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK (5.1 MIX)
7. MODERN MUSIC (5.1 MIX)
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
(5.1 MIX)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS (5.1 MIX)
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD (5.1 MIX)
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
(5.1 MIX)
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE) (5.1 MIX)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (5.1 MIX)
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (5.1 MIX)
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC (5.1 MIX)
BONUS TRACKS
16. SHINE (5.1 MIX)
17. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (FIRST VERSION)
(5.1 MIX)
18. THE BIRD CHARMER’S DESTINY (FIRST VERSION) (5.1 MIX)

VISUAL CONTENT
1. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (BBC OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST 1976)
2. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (BBC OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST 1976)

Also available Be-Bop Deluxe: Modern Music, 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

To pre-order: 
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-modern-music-4cd-1dvd-deluxe-boxset-edition/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-modern-music-2cd-expanded-remastered-edition/

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

BE-BOP DELUXE MODERN MUSIC 5 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET

Released December 6, 2019

• A DELUXE 5 DISC LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET OF THE CLASSIC 1976 ALBUM BY BE-BOP DELUXE
• NEWLY REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES
• FEATURING AN ADDITIONAL 55 BONUS TRACKS DRAWN FROM NEW 5.1 SURROUND SOUND & STEREO MIXES FROM THE ORIGINAL MULTI-TRACK MASTER TAPES, A CONCERT RECORDED BY BBC RADIO FROM OCTOBER 1976, A PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED “OFFICIAL BOOTLEG” RECORDING OF A CONCERT AT THE RIVIERA THEATER IN CHICAGO IN MARCH 1976, PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED OUT-TAKES FROM THE ALBUM SESSIONS, ALONG WITH A BBC TV OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST APPEARANCE FROM NOVEMBER 1976
• INCLUDES A LAVISHLY ILLUSTRATED BOOK WITH MANY PREVIOUSLY UNSEEN PHOTOGRAPHS & NEW ESSAY BY BILL NELSON
• ALSO INCLUDES POSTCARDS AND A REPLICA POSTER

Esoteric Recordings is proud to announce the release of a new re-mastered five-disc deluxe expanded boxed set limited edition (comprising 4 CDs and a DVD) of MODERN MUSIC the legendary 1976 album by BE-BOP DELUXE.

Recorded in June and July 1976 at Abbey Road Studio Three, MODERN MUSIC was the fourth album by Be Bop Deluxe and the second to feature the line-up of BILL NELSON (vocals, guitars, keyboards), CHARLES TUMAHAI (bass, vocals), ANDY CLARK (keyboards) and SIMON FOX (drums). Following on from the success and critical praise for the band’s previous album SUNBURST FINISH, the album was once more co-produced by BILL NELSON and JOHN LECKIE.

Much of the material appearing on the album was conceived by Bill Nelson whilst Be Bop Deluxe were undertaking their first tour of the USA in March 1976. The wonderful and expansive MODERN MUSIC “suite” which dominated the album was inspired by Bill’s experiences of America, the disillusionment with the US music business and a longing for home. Beside the fine achievement of the suite, MODERN MUSIC also featured other fine songs such as Orphans of Babylon, Kiss of Light, The Bird Charmers Destiny and the epic Down on Terminal Street, all of which ensured that the album was a hit in both the UK and the USA.

This expanded reissue has been newly re-mastered from the original master tapes and features an additional 55 bonus tracks drawn from a stunning new 5.1 surround sound & stereo mixes from the original multi-track tapes by award winning engineer Stephen W. Tayler, previously unreleased out-takes from the album sessions, a BBC Radio “In Concert” performance from October 1976, along with a bonus CD of a previously unreleased “official bootleg” of a performance at The Riviera Theater in Chicago in March 1976 recorded for FM Radio on Be Bop Deluxe’s first US tour which features a rare jam entitled Bill’s Blues. The set also includes visual material taken from a session for BBC TV’s “Old Grey Whistle Test” show broadcast in November 1976.

Another highlight of this limited-edition boxed set is the lavishly illustrated 68-page book with many previously unseen photographs and an essay of recollections by Bill Nelson. Additionally, the set includes postcards and a replica poster. This special deluxe limited-edition boxed set of MODERN MUSIC is a fitting tribute to a fine band and the creative vision of Bill Nelson.



TRACK LISTING

DISC ONE: CD

MODERN MUSIC
THE ORIGINAL STEREO MIX:

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS
3. KISS OF LIGHT
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK
7. MODERN MUSIC
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC
BONUS TRACK
16. SHINE (B-SIDE OF SINGLE)

DISC TWO: CD

MODERN MUSIC
THE NEW STEREO MIX:

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON (NEW STEREO MIX)
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS (NEW STEREO MIX)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (NEW STEREO MIX)
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY
(NEW STEREO MIX)
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
(NEW STEREO MIX)
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK (NEW STEREO MIX)
7. MODERN MUSIC (NEW STEREO MIX)
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
(NEW STEREO MIX)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS (NEW STEREO MIX)
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD (NEW STEREO MIX)
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
(NEW STEREO MIX)
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE) (NEW STEREO MIX)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (NEW STEREO MIX)
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (NEW STEREO MIX)
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC (NEW STEREO MIX)
BONUS TRACKS
16. SHINE (NEW STEREO MIX)
17. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (FIRST VERSION)
18. THE BIRD CHARMER’S DESTINY (FIRST VERSION)

DISC THREE: CD

BBC RADIO ONE “IN CONCERT”
RECORDED 2ND OCTOBER 1976 AT HAMMERSMITH ODEON, LONDON

1. MAID IN HEAVEN (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
2. BRING BACK THE SPARK
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
4. ADVENTURES IN A YORKSHIRE LANDSCAPE
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
5. FAIR EXCHANGE (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
6. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
7. TWILIGHT CAPERS (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
8. MODERN MUSIC (BBC IN CONCERT 1976)
i. MODERN MUSIC
ii. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT
(ALL ALONE)
iii. HONEYMOON ON MARS
iv. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD
v. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM
HUMANOIDS
vi. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE)
9. BLAZING APOSTLES
(BBC IN CONCERT 1976)

DISC FOUR: CD

LIVE AT THE RIVIERA THEATRE, CHICAGO 21ST MARCH 1976 –
THE OFFICIAL BOOTLEG

1. FAIR EXCHANGE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
2. STAGE WHISPERS
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
3. LIFE IN THE AIR AGE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
4. SISTER SEAGULL
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
5. ADVENTURES IN A YORKSHIRE LANDSCAPE
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
6. MAID IN HEAVEN
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
7. SHIPS IN THE NIGHT
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
8. BILL’S BLUES
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)
9. BLAZING APOSTLES
(LIVE 1976 – PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED)

DISC FIVE: DVD

MODERN MUSIC–
THE 5.1 SURROUND SOUND MIX / NEW STEREO MIX (96 KHZ / 24-BIT) / ORIGINAL STEREO MIX (96 KHZ / 24-BIT)

1. ORPHANS OF BABYLON (5.1 MIX)
2. TWILIGHT CAPERS (5.1 MIX)
3. KISS OF LIGHT (5.1 MIX)
4. THE BIRD CHARMERS DESTINY (5.1 MIX)
5. THE GOLD AT THE END OF MY RAINBOW
(5.1 MIX)
6. BRING BACK THE SPARK (5.1 MIX)
7. MODERN MUSIC (5.1 MIX)
8. DANCING IN THE MOONLIGHT (ALL ALONE)
(5.1 MIX)
9. HONEYMOON ON MARS (5.1 MIX)
10. LOST IN THE NEON WORLD (5.1 MIX)
11. DANCE OF THE UNCLE SAM HUMANOIDS
(5.1 MIX)
12. MODERN MUSIC (REPRISE) (5.1 MIX)
13. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (5.1 MIX)
14. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (5.1 MIX)
15. MAKE THE MUSIC MAGIC (5.1 MIX)
BONUS TRACKS
16. SHINE (5.1 MIX)
17. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (FIRST VERSION)
(5.1 MIX)
18. THE BIRD CHARMER’S DESTINY (FIRST VERSION) (5.1 MIX)

VISUAL CONTENT
1. FORBIDDEN LOVERS (BBC OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST 1976)
2. DOWN ON TERMINAL STREET (BBC OLD GREY WHISTLE TEST 1976)

Also available Be-Bop Deluxe: Modern Music, 2CD Expanded & Remastered Edition

To pre-order: 
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-modern-music-4cd-1dvd-deluxe-boxset-edition/
https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/be-bop-deluxe-modern-music-2cd-expanded-remastered-edition/

Press inquiries (North America): Glass Onyon PR, PH: 1-828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com