Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984 version) (3:51)
Band Aid 20 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2004 version) (5:05)
Band Aid 30 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2014 version) (3:48)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2024 Ultimate mix) (5:00)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (live) (4:33)
Review: The 40th-anniversary release of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' is a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of Band Aid, the charity/supergroup formed by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984. This special 12" vinyl not only celebrates the iconic track but also continues its mission to support the Band Aid Trust's charitable efforts. The record compiles key versions of the song, including the original 1984 rendition, the Band Aid 20 and Band Aid 30 versions and an all-new 2024 Ultimate Mix by Trevor Horn. This fresh edit creatively weaves together the contributions of countless legendary artists from across the decades into a seamless, unified anthem that feels both nostalgic and innovative. The inclusion of the live version from Wembley Stadium in 1985 shows the energy and passion of the song's historic performance. Across all versions, listeners are reminded of the track's power to unite the music world for a greater cause, featuring some of the finest voices in British rock history. This release is a compelling collector's item, combining timeless music with a renewed purpose, ensuring the song's message resonates for generations to come.
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (1984 version)
Band Aid 20 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2004 version)
Band Aid 30 - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2014 version)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (2024 Ultimate mix)
Band Aid - "Do They Know It's Christmas?" (live)
Review: This CD compilation brings together four decades of this iconic charity anthem, showcasing its evolution across generations while maintaining its heartfelt purpose. Featuring the original 1984 version by Band Aid, this release captures the raw urgency of the collective's mission to combat famine in Ethiopia. The 2004 rendition by Band Aid 20 introduces a modernised arrangement with a fresh lineup of artists, while Band Aid 30's 2014 version incorporates contemporary production and voices, reflecting the ongoing relevance of the cause. The 2024 version offers a reimagined take, balancing the classic's spirit with current musical sensibilities, ensuring it resonates with a new audience. Closing the collection is a powerful live performance from Wembley Stadium in 1985, a moment steeped in history and emotion that amplifies the song's legacy. Spanning generations of talent and commitment, this release is a celebration of unity and a reminder of the enduring power of music to inspire change.
Review: Bjork and Rosalia team up for the limited marble vinyl edition 12" double-sider, 'Oral', now coming packed with a stunning remix by Olof Dreijer from The Knife. The record is described by its releasers OLI as not just a single release but a "call to arms", with 100% of the profits being funnelled directly to AEGIS, the Icelandic charity dedicated to eradicating intensive fish farming in the country. 'Oral' itself is now a staple of the latest incarnation of Bjork's ever-mutant career, consummating her and Rosalia's recent rapport; a sabre-wielding, purblind aesthetic - befitting also of another of Bjork's collaborative contemporaries, Arca - fits seamlessly with the elegiac reggaeton of the song. Dreijer's remix is rabid and wonky by comparison, its draggy, morphemic rhythms belying Bjork and Rosalia's equally wetted vocals, producing a wacky litany of faunal electronics and whizzing FX.
Oh Santa! (feat Ariana Grande & Jennifer Hudson) (3:21)
The Star (3:59)
Christmas Wrapping (feat Roe - live At Madison Square Garden) (2:15)
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) (4:31)
Fall In Love At Christmas (5:08)
Joy To The World (Celebration mix) (8:01)
Review: Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" has cemented itself as a holiday classic since its debut in 1994. Featured as the lead single from her Merry Christmas album, the track mixes joyful love-themed lyrics with festive sounds like sleigh bells and synths. Co-written and produced by Carey and Walter Afanasieff, it garnered instant acclaim, becoming a chart success in markets like the UK and Japan. Over the years, its appeal has only increased, evolving into a perennial Christmas favourite that resurfaces every holiday season. The song has topped charts in over 30 countries and set records for the longest time between release and reaching number one in both the US and UK. This 12" version captures the song's timeless holiday cheer, making it a perfect pick for any festive playlist. With over 16 million copies sold globally and a place in the National Recording Registry, it's a seasonal staple that continues to brighten celebrations worldwide.
All I Want For Christmas Is You (feat Jermaine Dupri & Lil' Bow Wow - So So Def remix)
Christmas Time Is In The Air Agaiin (Magical Christmas mix)
Christmas Wrapping (feat Roe - live From Madison Square Garden)
Miss You Most (At Christmas Time) (video version)
Joy To The World (Celebration mix)
Review: Mariah Carey's iconic 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' has become a timeless holiday anthem since its 1994 release. The song, featured on her album Merry Christmas, continues to be a festive favorite, blending pop, soul and classic holiday charm. Carey's powerful vocals, combined with its upbeat melody and nostalgic feel, make it a perfect seasonal hit. The CD single captures the infectious joy and warmth of the holidays, driven by its catchy chorus and irresistible energy. Known for re-entering the charts each year, this track has cemented its status as a Christmas staple. Whether you're decorating the tree or gathering with loved ones, Carey's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' is an essential feel-good addition to any holiday playlist.
Simon Williams (Fierce Panda Records) - "The Story Of Brothers & Sisters" (5:45)
Review: Today marks a significant milestone as Coldplay's iconic Brothers & Sisters EP celebrates its 25th anniversary with a special edition release. Originally launched via Fierce Panda Records, the EP was pivotal in shaping the band's early sound and building their devoted fanbase. Released as a gatefold double BioVinyl 7", this commemorative edition includes the classic tracks 'Brothers & Sisters' and 'Easy To Please', alongside the addition of 'Only Superstition'. Recorded for a modest L450, the EP made its mark, climbing to number 92 on the charts. As an intriguing bonus, the anniversary release features a new track, 'The Story of Brothers & Sisters', offering a spoken word insight into Coldplay's formative years. Lifted from Simon Williams' audiobook 'Pandamonium! How Not To Run A Record Label', this excerpt vividly recounts the band's early days at iconic venues like Camden Falcon and Kentish Town Bull & Gate, where they caught the attention of Radio One's Evening Session and garnered their first NME reviews. Celebrating both Coldplay's journey and Fierce Panda's 30th anniversary, this release encapsulates a pivotal moment in music history.
Wie Schon Du Bist (feat Armin Teutoburg-weiss & The Dusseldorf Dusterboys) (3:46)
Amor (feat Cesar Lacerda) (3:43)
Review: DJ Koze teams up with Arnim and the Dusseldorf Dusterboys to craft an evocative tribute to East German soul icon Holger Biege. Building around the haunting line "Du hast erzahlt, gelacht / Mir gezeigt, wie schon du bist" from Biege's 1978 classic 'Bleib doch', Koze creates a track rich in both nostalgic warmth and forward-looking soundscapes. This release showcases Koze's unique ear for blending past and present, turning Biege's heartfelt lyrics into a fresh, emotional journey that pays homage to a timeless soul legacy with a truly modern twist.
Review: A new song by the acclaimed DJ Mitsu The Beats (a member of Sendai's hip-hop crew Gagle) and rapper Sorane, 'Daily Meets' is a chillaxed, fluid lo-hi-fi hip-hop tonic for those whose ears require polishing, refreshing and/or full-blown aneling in the morning. Getting at a quotidian "everyday life" themes - bleary eyes, coffee shop hissings, cutlery tinkles, long gazes out the window - this jazzy track blends sharp lyricism with repetitious slice-of-life themes, finding joy in those life periods that the less patient among us dare to call groundhog days. Backed up by the instrumental too, you're more than well equipped for both DJ and home system play here.
Review: 'Departures' is one of the most renowned singles by the Japanese band Globe, originally released in 1996. The track achieved significant success and became the group's second number-one hit on Oricon's weekly chart and went on to sell a total of a rather astonishing, especially in comparison to these digital times, 2.2 million copies, making it one of Japan's best-selling singles. Now the tune gets reissued on 7" and is a raw, dense pop-rock tune that comes with a bonus cut on the flip.
Fighting For Your Life (Blood On The dance Floor remix) (5:58)
Fighting For Your Life (After Dark mix) (5:36)
Review: Lockdown Records has put together this useful new 12" which offers up the notorious duo of Matt Early & Lee Jeffries. 'Fighting for Your Life' is a classic pop single that comes with the electrifying Blood on the Dancefloor Mix and the sultry After Dark Mix, both of which are inspired by the iconic sounds of Michael Jackson. They make for effective dancefloor weapons that come with a hint of nostalgia and plenty of weighty grooves.
Review: George Michael's timeless Careless Whisper is an iconic pop record which this year marks its 40th anniversary. It was released in 1984 and soon topped charts in 25 countries while also achieving multiple Platinum certifications globally. To celebrate the milestone, a limited edition Careless Whisper EP has been compiled and features all versions of the song in one exclusive release. This special 12" includes instrumental and extended mixes along with a previously unreleased live version recorded at Madison Square Garden, New York. It is an EP that reminds us of the late great Michael's skills and reworks the single in club ready format for DJs.
Careless Whisper (live From Madison Square Garden - previously unreleased) (5:32)
Careless Whisper (instrumental) (4:55)
Review: A unique edition of an iconic track. Originally released in 1984, Careless Whisper has subsequently solidified its place as a pop masterpiece, topping charts worldwide and earning multiple platinum certifications. This limited-edition EP is cut at 45rpm half-speed for extra clarity and features a remastered version of the original hit, an extended mix enhancing its sultry allure and an intriguing live performance of it from Madison Square Garden, adding a new dimension to the track's timeless appeal. The EP also includes an instrumental version, allowing fans to appreciate the lush production and unforgettable saxophone solo in its purest form.
Careless Whisper (live At Madison Square Garden, July 2008)
Careless Whisper (instrumental)
Review: George Michael's Careless Whisper 40th Anniversary Edition on CD is a nostalgic treasure for fans of one of pop's quintessential anthems. Released in 1984, the track's lush saxophone riff and Michael's emotive vocals made it an instant classic, topping charts worldwide and becoming a (slow) dancefloor staple. This commemorative CD presents four versions of the iconic song: the newly remastered original, an extended mix that amplifies its steamy appeal, a previously unreleased live performance from Madison Square Garden capturing its live charm and an instrumental version that highlights its exquisite musicality. While Michael himself was critical of the track's lyrical simplicity, viewing it as a minor achievement compared to his other work, the song's enduring appeal remains undeniable. This edition celebrates its lasting impact with a collection that offers fans both a trip down memory lane and a deeper appreciation of its musical legacy.
Review: To celebrate the 40th anniversary of George Michael's iconic hit 'Careless Whisper,' it is now releases as a single once again. The record features a previously unreleased live recording from his memorable Madison Square Garden concert on July 23, 2008. This performance marked his reunion with the New York audience after a 17-year hiatus, part of his monumental 25Live tour that captivated over 1.3 million fans worldwide. This special edition also includes newly mastered versions of the original single, extended mix and an instrumental. Written by George Michael and Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley, it topped charts in 25 countries in 1984. It is certified 7x Platinum in the US and has sold over 1.5 million copies in the UK, with Platinum and Diamond certifications in 20 other countries. This timeless classic, written when Michael was just 17, continues to be celebrated for its masterful songwriting and enduring legacy.
Review: Pikotaro is a fictional singer-songwriter created and portrayed by Japanese comedian Daimaou Kosaka; his persona's breakout single 'PPAP (Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen)' was first released on YouTube in 2016, becoming an overnight viral sensation. Once billed as the next 'Gangnam Style', 'PPAP' themes itself after an excruciatingly corny but funny household banality: Kosaka was allegedly sitting in his house, trying to come up with lyrics for his next song and realised that not only was he holding a pen, but also that there was a tin of pineapple slices resting on the kitchen counter. Thus, in the consequent music video, Pikotaro is seen dressed in a yellow leopard print costume, unaffectedly dancing around his living room, singing "I have a pen, I have an apple. Uh!", all while gesticulating and holding said items firmly in hand. Clearly, inspiration is a matter of feeling and intuition, not content. Only now, almost unbelievably, has this viral hit seen a 7" vinyl record release via Avex Japan.
Yuji Toriyama & Ken Morimura - "Night Together" (4:47)
Chie Sawa - "Sea Gull" (4:07)
Review: Way back in 1982, Japanese musicians and producers Yuji Toriyama and Ken Morimura joined forces to deliver Aerobics, a soundtrack for exercise classes (really) that joined the dots between boogie, disco and city pop. 'Night Together', a superb electrofunk instrumental rich in picturesque synthesizer melodies, jazz-funk guitar solos (Toriyama was a guitarist by trade), squelchy bass and drum machine beats. It's certainly well worthy of being reissued - as this tidy "45" from Pony Canyon amply demonstrates. Curiously, it's not backed by another gem from that set, but rather another slept-on Japanese classic - 'Sea Gull' from Chie Sawa's 1974 hybrid folk-rock/psychedelic rock album 23 - Twenty Three Years Old. It's decent, but the A-side is the real winner.
Review: 'EZ Do Dance' by Japanese band TRF was released on June 21, 1993 as their second single and it proved to be a breakout hit that also helped to make dance music more popular in Japan. The group blended Yellow Magic Orchestra's techno-pop style with rock music and was later inspired by a visit to the UK when he experienced the second summer of love in 1998. Here we get the original 7" mix as well as a more piano-laced and vocal flipside joint 'Track 2'.
Review: ABBA's new compilation, The Singles: The First Fifty Years, revisits their storied career with a fresh twist, building on the foundation laid by their 1982 collection, The Singles: The First Ten Years. This updated anthology spans the group's entire career, incorporating hits from their early days as well as tracks from their acclaimed 2021 comeback album, Voyage. While the original The Singles: The First Ten Years was a definitive collection for fans, featuring tracks like 'The Day Before You Came' and 'Under Attack,' it only covered up to 1982. The new compilation expands significantly, adding ten additional tracks not included in the previous release. These include early gems like 'People Need Love' and 'He Is Your Brother,' alongside classic hits such as 'Eagle' and the much appreciated 'Lay All Your Love On Me.' The 38-track compilation on vinyl is housed in a beautifully designed soft cover with floating vinyl pockets and a 24-page booklet filled with new liner notes and previously unseen band images. The collection seamlessly blends ABBA's golden era with their recent resurgence, offering a comprehensive and visually stunning tribute to their enduring legacy.
Review: Mayra Andrade's live album, recorded at Union Chapel, features the warmth and eclecticism of her music in an intimate setting. Known for blending Cape Verdean Creole, English, and Portuguese in her songs, she pulls from a variety of cultural influences to craft a sound that's truly global. Her live collaboration with guitarist Djodje Almeida, 'reEncanto,' takes listeners on a journey through her discographyifrom Navega (2006) to Manga (2019).Andrade's music dances between traditional Cape Verdean rhythms and contemporary beats, with touches of reggae, African soul and pop influences, making every performance feel both rooted and adventurous. Her voice, full of depth and color, effortlessly shifts between romantic ballads and playful, rhythmic tunes. A nomadic spirit is evident in her music as she reflects her life's experiences and travels. On stage, Andrade is stunning, and the energy she brings in this live recording transports listeners straight to Cape Verde's sun-drenched shores. For those unfamiliar with her work, this album is an ideal introduction to the vibrant, evolving world she's built through her music, full of passion and heartfelt storytelling.
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