Best of 2024 – the top ten reissues

The cream of this year’s reissue crop

1. Kruder & Dorfmeister – The K&D Sessions (25th Anniversary) (K7)

For the 25th anniversary of Kruder & Dorfmeister’s iconic Sessions, this CD box set is the best version yet for fans and collectors. The set includes previously unreleased music and remixes from artists like Madonna, Lewis Taylor, and Count Basic. Originally released in 1999, Sessions compiled Kruder & Dorfmeister’s masterful remixes and original tracks, defining the “mood music” genre with its rich blend of dubby downtempo, drum & bass and Brazilian sampladelia. The compilation’s subtle complexity and cinematic allure remain as influential as ever, capturing the essence of its era with a smoky, introspective vibe that continues to resonate. This edition includes a 40-page booklet plus a poster as an added bonus.

2. Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II (Expanded Edition) (Warp)

It’s the album that redefined ambient music, not least for a generation of parasympathetic ravers. Aphex Twin’s Selected Ambient Works Volume II marked a stylistic shift away from the first edition in the infamous ambient LP ‘series’, Selected Ambient Works 85-92. Volume II differed substantially; this time, there would be no ‘techno’ addendum to ‘ambient’, and all tracks thereupon would lack the usual indulgence of beats, however easy-on-the-ears these had been beforehand. Known for its many numbered tracks – which on the original edition, rather than track names, denoted references to images of natural forms, textures and geologic readymades, all bathed in orange, and from which fans had to infer the written names – this expanded edition stays faithful to this origin. Even so, it adds two unreleased D Jamesian treats – provided you don’t count the massive Soundcloud dump of 2015 as a release – ‘th1 [evnslower]’ and a reversed version of ‘Rhubarb’ – as well as a the previously vinyl only ‘#19’.

3. Sleaford Mods – Divide & Exit (10th Anniversary Edition) (Rough Trade)

Sleaford Mods’ second album, Divide and Exit, originally self-released, now sees a remastered reissue through Rough Trade Records, commemorating its tenth anniversary. This album marks a pivotal moment for the duo, encapsulating the societal decay and class consciousness of contemporary Britain with a fiercer focus than before via tracks like celebrated ‘Tiswas’ and ‘Tweet Tweet Tweet’. The album’s urgent, compact sound reflects a raw punk energy, serving as a powerful vehicle for their outrage and socio-political commentary. Reflecting on the album’s impact, Williamson notes its punk ethos and pioneering spirit, with each song seamlessly flowing into the next, creating a cohesive sonic journey. Indeed, Divide and Exit stands as a beacon of originality, carving out new territory in the musical landscape.

4. Hypnotone – Hypnotone (Musique Pour La Danse Holland)

Hypnotone’s iconic self titled mini album reissued and released just in time for this Summer Solstice. Originally released by Creation Records in 1991 – long out of print and now reissued – this one comes now meticulously remastered and pressed onto pristine white vinyl, aesthetically bolstering its pure, ascendant sound to match. The Hypnotone moniker was formed out of the bemused miasma that came after the wake of the infamous Hacienda nightclub in Manchester; made up of another related but no less legendary Tony (Martin, not Wilson) and yet another Martin (Mittler) (don’t get confused, now), their eponymous debut came after an inspirational spell of digital sampler experiments and intentional Balearic hitmaking.

:

5. Susumu Yokota – Acid Mt Fuji (30th Anniversary Edition) (Musicmine Japan)

Susumu Yokota’s venerated 1994 classic Acid Mt. Fuji is reissued in expanded, deluxe fashion, as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the label that originally released it. Japan’s Musicmine – specifically its electronic subsidiary Sublime – released the album on June 29, 1994, simultaneously with Ken Ishii’s Reference To Difference, as their inaugural joint offering. Tantamount to a fusion of ambient acid/rave – then still nascent in Japan – with new age music, Susumo Yokota was likely the best man for the job at the time. With his first album, The Frankfurt-Tokyo Connection, he’d not yet established his electro-pastoralist style, yet it was Acid Mt. Fuji that divined the latter-day emotes of Sakura, a new age so adroitly fused with electronica yet emulable by few. Though the later years of Yokota’s life have been couched in a good deal of privacy and mystery, Acid Mt. Fuji certainly betrays a fittingly shrewd and introspective character on the part of the artist, one that served him well. Its long, drawn-out nature soundscapes – tempered by the piquant sounds of modern synths like the TB-303, which animistically, pseudohallucinogenically blend with the animal sounds themselves – recall something like an alpine augur’s waking dream.

6. MF Doom – MM…Food (20th Anniversary Edition) (Rhymesayers US)

First released in 2004, Mf Doom’s Mm..Food is a critically acclaimed hip-hop classic that stands out for its imaginative production and clever lyricism. The album weaves food-themed metaphors into sharp social commentary, creating a unique narrative full of humour and depth. Tracks like ‘Beef Rapp’ explore the glorification of conflict, while ‘Hoe Cakes’ and ‘One Beer’ touch on themes of indulgence and escapism. Celebrating the 20th anniversary, this reissue is available on 2xLP galaxy vinyl, with all-new artwork by Sam Rodriguez, making it a must-have for collectors and fans of Doom’s singular creative vision.

7. Plastikman – Musik (30th Anniversary Edition) (Novamute)

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, techno titan Richie Hawtin aka minimal pioneer Plastikman has remastered his influential second album Musik from the original tapes and pressed it up to limited edition bio-vinyl. It was first released in November 1994 via NovaMute and his own Plus 8 and was soon hailed as a masterclass in minimal techno, catapulting Hawtin toward the heights he still enjoys today. Prior to the full album release, the track ‘Plastique’ hinted at a more dancefloor-oriented sound while maintaining an unsettling edge that characterises much of the ensuing album’s abstract and alien allure.

8. Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (30th Anniversary Edition) (Capitol)

The Beastie Boys’ fourth studio album remains a hallmark of their creative versatility. Released in 1994, this groundbreaking record merges hip-hop with punk rock, jazz, and funk, marking a significant shift towards live instrumentationia progression from their previous album, Check Your Head. Co-produced by the Beasties and Mario C, the album showcases their talent for genre-blending, featuring iconic tracks like the explosive ‘Sabotage,’ the funky ‘Get It Together’ with Q-Tip, and the raw ‘Do It’ with Biz Markie. The album also includes jazzy breakbeat grooves such as ‘Root Down’ and ‘The Scoop,’ along with instrumental jazz-funk tracks like ‘Ricky’s Theme’ and ‘Sabrosa,’ and even nods to their punk roots with ‘Heart Attack Man.’ With further contributions from Money Mark, Eric Bobo, and Amery ‘AWOL’ Smith, Ill Communication is a testament to the Beastie Boys’ ability to innovate. Now available on cassette for the first time ever, it continues to resonate as one of the band’s most diverse and celebrated works.

9. Ken Ishii – Reference to Difference (30th Anniversary Edition) (Sublime)

Ken Ishii’s 1994 album Reference to Difference is a crucial, yet often overlooked, masterpiece in the world of techno, ambient and electronic music from Japan. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Musicmine Records, this album is now reissued and remastered, available on vinyl with its original track-list for the first time. Born in 1970 in Sapporo, Ishii’s journey into electronic music began with arcade games and pioneers like Yellow Magic Orchestra and Kraftwerk. The discovery of Detroit techno in the late 80s shaped his artistic vision, blending with influences from British and American IDM and ambient techno. Reference To Difference is a futuristic blend of ambient atmospheres, techno rhythms, and minimalist compositions. It transports listeners back to the mid-1990s, a golden era for Japan’s unique techno culture. This era saw Tokyo’s clubs like Maniac Love becoming essential hubs for the underground scene, where Ishii and peers like Susumu Yokota thrived. Ishii and Yokota set benchmarks for Japanese techno with their early works. Ishii’s Reference to Difference and Yokota’s Acid Mt. Fuji, released simultaneously on June 29, 1994, were pivotal in putting Japan on the global techno map. Martyn Pepperell’s new liner notes accompany this reissue, shedding light on Ishii’s influence and the album’s significance. Rediscover this gem and experience a landmark moment in electronic music history.

10. Sparks – Kimono My House (50th Anniversary Edition) (Demon)

Released in May 1974, this marked a pivotal moment in Sparks’ career, propelling them to commercial success with their defining sound, blending glam rock with experimental and electronic elements, aligning with contemporaries like Roxy Music and David Bowie. Produced by Mervyn “Muff” Winwood, the album’s standout track ‘This Town Ain’t Big Enough For The Both Of Us’ remains a defining moment in Sparks’ legacy, with its soaring vocals and innovative production. Tracks like ‘Amateur Hour’ and ‘Falling In Love With Myself Again’ showcase the band’s knack for crafting unforgettable pop moments, while ‘Thank God It’s Not Christmas’ displays their forward-thinking sound that would influence bands decades later. The album’s eclectic mix and striking originality cemented its place as a landmark in 70s pop, and its influence is still felt today.