Universal Vinyl & CDs

Review: If the name Vangelis conjures images of new age music or the overplayed 'Chariots of Fire', you might be surprised by his earlier work. Before his solo fame, Vangelis was a member of Aphrodite's Child, a rock band from the late 60s to early 70s. While the band was based in France due to political unrest in Greece, they produced music far removed from Vangelis's later style. Another well-known member was Demis Roussos, who also had a later solo career. Initially, Aphrodite's Child released two psychedelic pop albums, Rain and Tears and It's Five O'Clock, reminiscent of Genesis' early work on From Genesis to Revelation. 666 marked a significant shift toward progressive rock, blending Greek ethnic influences with experimental sounds. Highlights include 'Loud, Loud, Loud,' featuring a spoken word piece by a young Greek diplomat's son, and 'All the Seats Were Occupied,' a lengthy jam that samples the album's other tracks. The notorious, untitled track featuring actress Irene Papas caused discomfort at their label, but it solidified the album's status as a groundbreaking work in progressive rock. Despite the musicians' later mainstream personas, 666 remains a bold and innovative album.

Review: Chase Atlantic's fourth album offers a more mature sound than previous LPs while exploring themes of loneliness, depression and fear. The title reflects the paradox of being in an ideal place yet feeling miserable and the music showcases the band's evolution into a fusion of pop, rock and r&b in their signature genre-defying style. The lead single quickly gained popularity by amassing millions of streams and views and follow-up 'Doubt It' continues the trend with addictive melodies and fresh sounds. Although Chase Atlantic pushes boundaries here, their original fans will still remain happy with the signature energy of this album.

Review: The second album from Culture Club solidified their status as 1980s pop icons, surpassing their debut with a polished sound and global appeal. Kicking off with their biggest hit, 'Karma Chameleon', the album bursts with charm and infectious energy. While the track's instrumentation and lyrics are straightforward, the effortless blend of Boy George's unique voice and the band's vibrant arrangements create an undeniable dance anthem. The soulful depth of George's vocals reaches new heights on 'Black Money', enriched by harmonised backing vocals that beautifully complement his emotive delivery. Meanwhile, 'Time (Clock of the Heart)' is brilliant, combining heartfelt lyrics with a bass-driven melody that recalls the sophistication of contemporaries like Michael Jackson. The band's knack for turning simple melodies into rich, layered experiences is evident on 'Church of the Poison Mind', where a flute melody enhances the already dynamic composition. While 'That's the Way'ia stripped-back piano balladishowcases George's vocal prowess, it highlights how integral the full band is to their success.
A vibrant release, this album see Culture Club at their artistic and commercial peak.

Review: Dusty, The BBC Sessions brings Dusty Springfield's timeless voice to vinyl for the first time, highlighting her incredible musical journey from 1962 to 1970. The disc set, remastered at Abbey Road, shows what helped made her a defining figure in British music. Starting with tracks from her early days in The Springfields, this collection traces Springfield's transformation into the queen of blue-eyed soul. It includes standout performances of some of her biggest hits, like 'Wishin' and Hopin', 'Son of a Preacher Man', and 'I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself', The album also features her unique takes on classics, such as Stevie Wonder's 'Uptight' and The Bee Gees' 'To Love Somebody'. Known for her emotional depth and vocal power, Springfield's influence on pop and soul is undeniable. Her performances at the BBC showcase her ability to make every song her own, blending vulnerability with strength. A true icon of the Swinging Sixties, this collection celebrates her enduring legacy and cemented her place as one of the most revered singers of her generation.

Review: Ariana Grande was still on the up when she released her My Everything album back in 2014. Although slightly delayed, this is a special tenth-anniversary edition that reminds of its charming mix of pop, r&b and EDM influences. The album is mostly defined by Grande's powerful vocal range and emotional depth while belting out hits like 'Problem,' 'Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart' and 'Break Your Heart Right Back' all of which remain bangers to this day. Plenty of top-tier guests also feature like The Weeknd, ASAP Ferg and Childish Gambino. As a celebration of her breakthrough era, My Everything remains a modern pop milestone.

Review: Guns N' Roses' 2004 compilation taps into the heart of their storied career, delivering a powerful mix of their most iconic tracks. The energy that defined their 80s and early 90s output is still evident, whether it's the anthemic riffs of 'Sweet Child O' Mine' or the soaring balladry of 'November Rain.' This vinyl reissue brings those songs to life with a warmth that digital formats just can't replicate. It's not just about nostalgiaithis collection showcases the rawness and precision that made the band legends, capturing their wild spirit and musical mastery in a way that feels as vital today as it did when these tracks first hit.

Review: By 1975, Paul McCartney's Wings had cemented themselves as a global phenomenon with Band on the Run. Rather than replicate that album's formula, Venus and Mars embraces a looser, more exploratory approach, reflecting the band's evolving lineup and musical ambitions. Recorded primarily in New Orleans, the album incorporates rock, ballads and playful genre-hopping, embodying a free-spirited energy that defined mid-70s McCartney. The title track's gentle acoustic opening transitions seamlessly into the bombastic, arena-ready 'Rock Show', setting the stage for Wings' ambitious world tour. 'Listen to What the Man Said' delivers pure melodic bliss, its breezy saxophone flourishes making it one of McCartney's most effortless pop triumphs. Meanwhile, 'Letting Go' stands out with its bluesy, soulful atmosphere, contrasting the vaudevillian charm of 'You Gave Me the Answer'. New guitarist Jimmy McCulloch steps into the spotlight with 'Medicine Jar', a riff-driven rocker that, alongside 'Spirits of Ancient Egypt', adds grit to score. The album's whimsy shines through 'Magneto and Titanium Man', inspired by comic book lore, while 'Call Me Back Again' sees McCartney delivering one of his rawest, most impassioned vocal performances. The cinematic instrumental 'Crossroads' closes the album on an unexpected yet fitting note. An album that saw Wings at their most eclectic, harnessing both their playful charm and growing ambition while making it an essential piece of McCartney's post-Beatles journey. 50 years since it first was released, this reissue sounds better than ever.

Review: Celebrating its 30th anniversary this Record Store Day, 'Original Soundtracks 1' is a bold, imaginative collaboration between British ambient pioneer Brian Eno and Irish band U2 under the moniker Passengers. Blurring the line between ambient experimentation and cinematic storytelling, the album features 15 tracks that were all conceived as soundtracks for fictional films. Highlights include the haunting 'Miss Sarajevo' with Luciano Pavarotti and contributions from Howie B and Holi and this remastered anniversary edition comes on recycled black vinyl. An adventurous 1995 release that stands up now as an atmospheric, genre-blurring work and a rare and inspired detour in U2's discography.

Review: Grunge was already dominating the world by July 1993, when Chicago's Smashing Pumpkins released their second album, but Siamese Dream would point the way forward for the sound, and, racking up six million sales, it would also prove to be one of its most successful landmarks after Nirvana's Nevermind. It was that album's producer - Butch Vig - who took the helm on this album, and his trademark crunchy and compressed take on the loud/quiet light and shade of 'Today' and the gloriously sludgy 'Mayonnaise' had a lot to do with its success. That and, of course, Bill Corgan's distinctive and vulnerable vocal performances, which make this the missing evolutionary step between the Pixies and the next generation of emo kings like My Chemical Romance.

Review: Steely Dan's cynical 1976 opus passes go once again, rounding off Universal's reissue campaign of the band's revered 1972-1980 catalogue. Known for its slick jazz-rock fusion and caustic topicality, the album houses fan favourites like the acid-laced 'Kid Charlemagne' and the tightly wound funk of 'The Fez'. The sardonic 'Haitian Divorce' became an unexpected UK top 20 hit; it was the only time the group ever cracked that territory's singles chart. Long hailed as one of the group's darkest and densest records, The Royal Scam signalled a transition toward the meticulous studio sheen that would define Aja the following year.

Review: Acoustic Sessions marks the first Thin Lizzy album of unheard material in over 40 years, offering re-imagined acoustic versions of songs from their first three albums. This project is a unique fusion of the band's legacy with fresh acoustic interpretations that feature newly recorded guitar parts from original member Eric Bell and previously unheard vocals from the late Phil Lynott. Tracks like 'Whisky in the Jar'. 'Eire' and 'Mama Nature Said' are stripped back to showcase their lyrical and melodic strengths, while highlighting the group's songwriting roots. In an effort to capture the aura of their early recordings, Bell replays acoustic guitar parts he originally wrote for songs like 'Eire', using the same 12-string acoustic that defined the song's foundation. Paired with Brian Downey's original drum lines and Lynott's distinct vocals, Acoustic Sessions is both a tribute and a fresh look at the band's early work.

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.

Review: The Weeknd's upcoming release marks the final chapter in the trilogy that began with After Hours and Dawn FM, bringing his signature fusion of nocturnal R&B and cinematic synthwave to new emotional depths. Highlights include 'Timeless', a brooding collaboration with Playboi Carti, and 'Sao Paulo', a sultry track featuring Anitta, blending Latin rhythms with atmospheric production. Thematically, the album explores redemption and self-reflection, with Abel Tesfaye's haunting falsetto weaving through stories of loss and longing. Fans can experience this new chapter live at a one-night-only show at Pasadena's Rose Bowl, a fittingly grand stage for what promises to be an unforgettable closing act.

Review: The Weeknd's latest project continues to push boundaries, but it's the quieter moments that really leave a mark. Take 'Dancing in the Flames'iit starts with muted synths, almost tentative, like something trying to find its footing, before blossoming into a dense, emotionally charged soundscape. Tesfaye's falsetto feels particularly vulnerable here, a perfect match for lyrics that seem to teeter between hope and resignation. On 'Timeless (feat Playboi Carti),' the mood shifts entirely. Carti's jagged verses cut through the lush production, creating a tension that makes the track feel alive and unpredictable. And then there's 'Sao Paulo (feat Anitta),' which bursts out with a vibrancy that feels like a releaseia rare moment of pure celebration. Overall, the album's impact lies in its restraint, in the contrasts and the spaces between moods where it truly resonates.

Review: "The Mothers of Invention cordially invite you to join them on Tuesday, July 23, 1968, when they will be taking over the Whisky a Go Go for five full hours of unprecedented merriment, which will be secretly recorded for an upcoming record album. Dress optional. Starting sometime in the evening. R.S.V.D.T." So the ad in the LA Free Press allegedly read. Five hours? Unprecedented merriment? Frank Zappa at the height of the 1960s youth awakening? Sounds decent to us, as does this package, pieced together from scraps of bits captured during that concert. A genuine ride into the wonderful insanity of a band that remain pretty much out there on their own in the great universe of rock & roll, its bluesy, proggy, funky, folky, punk-y business. And it could only be Zappa.