1980s 174 Items

SOURCED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES AND LIMITED TO 4,000 NUMBERED COPIES:

MOBILE FIDELITY'S 180G SUPERVINYL LP PRESENTS 1985 BLOCKBUSTER IN AUDIOPHILE SOUND, PLAYS WITH EXCEPTIONAL CLARITY
PCM digital master to analogue console to lathe



Whitney Houston’s self-titled debut album has few parallels. Viewed solely through the lens of sales numbers, Whitney Houston is a watershed statement on par with the most commercially successful and culturally dominant LPs ever released. Having sold more than 14 million copies in the U.S. and upwards of 25 million units worldwide, the 1985 LP became the equivalent of the television show or blockbuster film that everyone collectively experiences and discusses. Nearly four decades later, it’s lost none of its appeal or magnetism — and its artistic significance and historical import have only grown.

Sourced from the original master tapes, pressed at RTI on MoFi SuperVinyl, and strictly limited to 4,000 numbered copies, Mobile Fidelity's 180g SuperVinyl LP of Whitney Houston presents the breakthrough in audiophile sound for the first time. The signature traits Houston exhibits on every song — her three-octave range, radiant warmth, personal conviction, impossibly controlled register — come across with exceptional clarity, focus, and presence. Free of artificial ceilings and constricted dynamics, this reissue plays with an openness, airiness, and balance that put the singer’s once-in-a-lifetime instrument and immortal artistry into proper perspective.

It does the same for the songs’ cascading melodies and captivating arrangements. Individually produced by one of four renowned industry veterans — Kashif, Micheal Masser, Jermaine Jackson, and Narada Michael Walden — each composition feels grander, closer, more genuine. A vocal spectacular, Whitney Houston benefits from the high-end characteristics of SuperVinyl, which include a nearly inaudible noise floor, superb groove definition, and dead-quiet surfaces. This is how an album that changed the direction of popular music — opening previously inaccessible doors for Black artists; bringing smooth-singing vocalists back into the mainstream; kickstarting a movement that soon included several “divas” who would command the charts through the early 21st century — should look and sound.

Though Houston’s seemingly effortless performances suggest otherwise, creating the record Rolling Stone ranks as the 257th Greatest Album of All Time wasn’t easy. Nearly 18 months were required to identify songs suitable for a still-unknown singer who did not fit into the conventional frameworks of the mid ‘80s. Confident, powerful, and prodigiously talented, Houston would forge her own parameters with Whitney Houston. In the process, she obliterated the stubborn lines between R&B and pop, Black and white radio. She dared to reimagine who could be a superstar and then went out and defined the role. Recorded for nearly $400,000 and released on Valentine’s Day, the LP exceeded the wildest expectations of those most closely associated with it — save for Houston and her family.

Having made her first public appearance at the age of 11 singing at a Baptist church, Houston understood pressure and knew her way around, inside, and through a song. The invaluable guidance and support she received from her mother, Cissy, an accomplished gospel vocalist who backed Aretha Franklin and Elvis Presley, are on display throughout Whitney Houston. They arrive in the types of authoritativeness, discipline, and diction rare for even most seasoned veterans — and unheard-of for a 21-year-old newcomer. Houston brings a soulful elegance, understated glamour, and in-the-moment rapture to every note. Moving up, down, or staying in the middle of the vocal ladder; channelling softness or sweetness; showing restraint or increasing the volume, she is a marvel of emotionalism, a dynamo who can seamlessly transition from one mood to another within a verse.

Though the 10-track LP largely concerns itself with the ballad tradition, Houston covers the bases, getting into an R&B groove on the fleet “Thinking About You,” turning up the heat on the duet “Take Good Care of My Heart,” and investing the contagious dance-pop confection “How Will I Know” with all the anxiety, hope, energy, and enthusiasm its lyrics demand. Featuring her mom on background vocals and Houston’s pitch-perfect tone, uncanny precision, and skyscraper highs (no AutoTune here, friends), the synth-based anthem propelled Whitney Houston into the stratosphere, the vocalist into regular MTV rotation, and the term “crossover” into popular parlance. The double-platinum single reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, Hot R&B, and Adult Contemporary charts — a trifecta that foreshadowed accomplishments that would ultimately crown Houston as the most-awarded female artist of all time.

Whitney Houston became the first album by a Black female performer to top the Billboard charts. It remained there for 14 non-consecutive weeks en route to claiming the title of the best-selling LP of 1986. It stands as the first debut and first album by a solo female artist to spawn three No. Hits, as well as the first album by a Black female artist to top the year-end charts in Australia and Canada. These are just a handful of the accolades — along with four Grammy nominations — that surround a set that also contains the unforgettable ballad “Saving All My Love,” string-accompanied “Greatest Love of All,” and sensual “You Give Good Love.”

As TIME observed in an article written two years after the album took the world by storm: “This is infectious, can't-sit-down music, and her performance dares the listener not to smile right back.” We’re still smiling.

SACD

Sourced from the original master tapes and strictly limited to 3,000 numbered copies, Mobile Fidelity's hybrid SACD of Whitney Houston presents the breakthrough in audiophile sound for the first time. The signature traits Houston exhibits on every song — her three-octave range, radiant warmth, personal conviction, impossibly controlled register — come across with exceptional clarity, focus, and presence. Free of artificial ceilings and constricted dynamics, this reissue plays with an openness, airiness, and balance that put the singer’s once-in-a-lifetime instrument and immortal artistry into proper perspective.

Originally released in 1978 Recorded at the legendary Pitt Inn in Roppongi Pressed on 180g black double vinyl Limited edition This album is an unforgettable live recording featuring both original songs by Yamashita as well as covers! What’s more, Yamashita is accompanied by several top-class musicians including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Minako Yoshida, Shuichi “Ponta” Murakami, Tsunehide Matsuki, and Akira Okazawa at the legendary Pitt Inn.

Originally released in 1984
Due to becoming a big hit from her previous record, “Timely!!”, Anri was brought to record her next album in L.A. with producer, Toshiki Kadomatsu. The studio musicians that took part in making of this album include Leon Chancler・Ed Green (Dr)、Nathan East (B)、Paul Jackson Jr.・Calros Rios (Gt)、Don Grusin (Key)、Ernie Watts (Sax)、Jerry Hey (Tp) participated. From dance tracks to mellow tunes, the colorful and vivid songs on this album are truly the culmination of the Kadomatsu trilogy, and a prologue to the dance-ability of Anri of the late 80's.

Kazuo Shiina, Hiroyuki Namba, Yoshihiro Naruse, Akira Inoue and other skilled musicians participated in Takako Mamiya's only album released in 1982, a masterpiece representing 80's city pop, on clear sky blue vinyl. Limited re-release!

* Originally released in 1980 * Pressed on Black Vinyl * First ever vinyl reissue / The first ever reissue of this highly sought after album is finally here! This is Takuya Takahashi's second album, which includes 'coast-line', the opening number of the popular compilation 'Light Mellow~Dream' edited by Hisakazu Kanazawa, who led the city pop scene.

Originally released in 1980 Limited edition 180g vinyl Pressed on black vinyl Ride on Time is the fifth studio album by Japanese singer-songwriter Tatsuro Yamashita, released by Air/rvc in 1980. This record includes everything from up-tempo songs to ballads, making it an absolute masterpiece beloved by many.

Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

One of the finest albums of the classic rock era!

Hybrid Stereo SACD

After half a century of crafting an astonishing array of chart-topping albums and embarking on triumphant global tours, Yes's The Yes Album marks the origin of their meteoric rise, through the recording sessions for this 1971 masterpiece.

With an ever interesting line-up of world class musicianship, this highly regarded chapter of Yes consisted of Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (bass/vocals), Bill Bruford (drums), Tony Kaye (keyboards) and the introduction of Steve Howe (guitars/vocals), The Yes Album was the band's breakthrough album, ultimately remaining on the sales charts for 34 weeks, selling more than 1 million copies.

This important piece of music consists of six amazing Yes workouts such as the definitive album opener "Yours Is No Disgrace," the hard rocking "Starship Trooper" and the brilliant "I've Seen All Good People" plus the massive hit single "Your Move." From this moment on, there was no looking back for this superstar quintet.

Yes enthusiasts were superlatively rewarded with even more progressive rock favorites as the brilliant acoustic driven guitar work of Steve Howe's "Clap," Chris Squire and Jon Anderson's superb "Perpetual Change" and the jazz-rock fusion of "A Venture" truly made this album a standout.

The album was a critical success and a major commercial breakthrough for Yes, who had been at risk of being dropped by Atlantic due to the commercial failures of their first two albums. It reached No. 4 in the United Kingdom and No. 40 in the United States, and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for surpassing 1 million copies.

Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series)

Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records!

Yes' breakthrough album!

Includes hit singles "Roundabout" and "Long Distance Runaround"

Hybrid Stereo SACD

Mastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering direct to DSD from the original master tape

Fragile was Yes' breakthrough album, propelling them in a matter of weeks from a cult act to an international phenomenon. Not coincidentally, it also marked the point where all of the elements of the music (and more) that would define the group's success for more than a decade fell into place fully formed, writes AllMusic, giving Fragile a 5-Star rating.

Propelled by the timeless hit "Roundabout," Yes' fourth album, Fragile, became an instant classic and is undoubtedly one of prog-rock's finest moments. It was the first Yes record to feature Rick Wakeman on keyboards and the first to display the inimitable artwork of Roger Dean. Here's the ultimate way to enjoy one of Yes's most popular and enjoyable albums.

Dream on, on to the Heart of the Sunrise!

This wonderful collection of mostly overlooked gems has been remixed and remastered from the original master tapes. Finally available again after 20+ years of unavailability.

The Freddie Mercury produced title-track features the iconic Queen frontman on piano and vocals and Brian May on guitar. The further Eddie Howell tracks on the album are from around the same period and feature cameo appearances from Phil Collins, Gary Moore, Ray Cooper, and many others.

Pressed on 180gram audiophile quality white vinyl, presented in an exclusive boxset including photos, poster, plectrum, QR code (for the Dolby Atmos version of the album) and the story behind the project.

The 10th original album, "CRIMSON," includes the famous songs "Eki" and "OH NO, OH YES!" This luxurious album was completed with five songs each provided by two female musicians, Mariya Takeuchi and Akiko Kobayashi.

The second single collection features all 10 singles from the 14th single "desire - Jounetsu -" (winner of the 28th Japan Record Award) to the 22nd single "I Missed 'the Shock'" (including "Nonfiction Ecstasy" released as a single cassette). This best album was simultaneously released on December 24, 1988, in three formats—LP, cassette tape, and CD—each with a different cover photo pose.

The debut single collection, featuring all 13 singles from "Slow Motion" to the 13th single "SOLITUDE," includes a total of 13 tracks. This best album was simultaneously released in three formats—LP, cassette tape, and CD—on April 1, 1986.

"The long-awaited first album ""Nelson Magic"" by Nelson Super Project, a super band of nine gorgeous musicians who were indispensable for the tours of Tatsuro Yamashita and Mariya Takeuchi, has been released on analog for the first time!

Nelson Super Project is a super band of nine gorgeous musicians who gathered as the backing band for Tatsuro Yamashita's live tour ""Tatsuro Yamashita Performance '98-'99"" in 1998. Their debut album released in 2002 has been released on analog for the first time!

Nelson Super Project member profile Hidefumi Toki (Sax) A leading figure in the Japanese jazz world, he has played countless sessions with bands such as Chicken Shack. He is also the father of Asako Toki.

Yasuhiro Mitani (Vo) After debuting as a keyboardist for Stardust Revue 14 years ago, he left the band and has since been performing solo and in sessions.

Kumi Sasaki (Organ, Vo) Debuted with Masaki Ueda's band, playing organ and chorus. His chorus arrangements are the best in the world.

Yurie Kokubu (Vo) His duet with Toshiki Kadomatsu was a big hit, and he has been active as a solo artist ever since. He also wrote the lyrics for Miho Nakayama's million-selling hit.

Jun Aoyama (Dr) He dominated the music world as the most popular drummer in the studio during the 80s and 90s. He was also a member of Prism and Square.

Koki Ito (B) A versatile bass player who is indispensable to Tatsuro Yamashita.

Yoshiyuki Sahashi (G) A member of Yamagen, a session guitarist who was indispensable to J-pop in the 90s. His wife is Takako Matsu.

Toru Shigemi (Key) He has been active as a session musician since the early 80s. He is currently the band leader of MISIA's band.

Hiroyuki Namba (Key) Debuted with Mari Kaneko & Bugs Bunny. Although he is a leading figure in progressive rock, he is also active in a wide range of genres, covering all genres."

The 4th album "next DOOR," released in 1983 and heavily influenced by early 80s American pop, will be reissued as a limited edition on clear green vinyl. This city pop album exudes an urban atmosphere throughout.

Remastered from the original analog tapes especially for this first ever re - issue, Aftapati” (Illusion) is the only studio album by Idyli Tsaliki.
Tsaliki’s poetic style and distinct voice along with moody jazz - funk rock arrangements are beyond comparison to any other 80s Greek album.
Immerse yourself in this musical journey and discover one of the rarest albums of the Greek jazz scene.
Released by Philips Greece in 1983 and never been released before not even on CD.
Reissue by Veego Records for the 40th anniversary of this holy grail of Greek Jazz Masterpiece.

* Originally released in 1988 * Shimada's 6th album * Pressed on Black Vinyl / Curiosity' is Nami Shimada's 6th album, and is known by many to be a city pop and 80s boogie masterpiece. The album features poems and songs by Takashi Matsumoto and Shinji Harada, two of the era's most famous artists. Also included on the record is a diverse lineup of songs such as, 'Curiosity Girl', which Shimada wrote under her real name, Naoko Shimada, and 'HE Loves Her', a song composed by Kenichi Kurosawa.

Remastered from the original analog tapes especially for this first ever re - issue, Aftapati” (Illusion) is the only studio album by Idyli Tsaliki.
Tsaliki’s poetic style and distinct voice along with moody jazz - funk rock arrangements are beyond comparison to any other 80s Greek album.
Immerse yourself in this musical journey and discover one of the rarest albums of the Greek jazz scene.
Released by Philips Greece in 1983 and never been released before not even on CD.
Reissue by Veego Records for the 40th anniversary of this holy grail of Greek Jazz Masterpiece.

To celebrate Christmas Eve’s 40th years anniversary, originally released in 1984, it will be released on 12-inch analog record. On side B, the different version of White Christmas will be recorded.

Limited edition repress on bone vinyl of cult-favorite Captured Tracks release, including bonus flexidisc featuring a rare cover of Free's "All Right Now". Saada Bonaire. The fantastic German disco/world music project from Bremen which never was meant to be. Formed by Bremen DJ Ralf Behrendt in 1982, Saada Bonaire was a unique concept band centered around two sultry female vocalists (Stefanie Lange and Claudia Hossfeld) and dozens of local musicians culled from the local immigration center. Originally signed to EMI in 1982, their first and only single, "You Could Be More As You Are" was produced by legendary Matumbi, Slits and POP Group producer Dennis Bovell in Kraftwerk's studio in Cologne. Its fusion of husky female vocals, Eastern instruments, dub and African music aesthetics, drum computers and synthesizers remains unique to this day. EMI cancelled the project upon its release. Saada Bonaire compiles two songs from the original EMI single plus eleven previously unreleased songs recorded between 1982 and 1985. Also included are never before published photos and in depth interviews with band members and a full gate fold cover for those dedicated vinyl buyers. Saada Bonaire. A bizarre mix of Kraftwerk, Grace Jones, and Marlene Dietrich. These lost recordings from the early eighties still sound fresh on today's dance floor.

The final part of this ‘A.R. Kane reissue collection is 1989’s astonishing double-LP ‘i’ which

followed up on ‘sixty nine’s promise and saw the duo fully unleash their experimental

pop sensibilities over 26 tracks, plunging the A.R. Kane sound into a dazzlingly

kaleidoscopic vision of pop experiment and play. Suffused with new digital

technologies and combining searingly sweet and danceable pop with perhaps the

duo’s strangest and boundary-pushing compositions, the album did exactly what a

great double-set should do - indulge the artists sprawling pursuit of their own

imaginations but always with a concision and an ear for those moments where pop

both transcends and toys with the listeners expectations. Jason Ankeny has noted

that “In retrospect, ‘i’ now seems like a crystal ball prophesying virtually every major

musical development of the 1990s; from the shimmering techno of ‘A Love from

Outer Space’ to the liquid dub of ‘What’s All This Then?’, from the alien drone-pop of

‘Conundrum’ to the sinister shoegazer miasma of ‘Supervixens’ — it’s all here, an

underground road map for countless bands to follow.” Perhaps the most

overwhelmingly all-encompassing transmission from A.R. Kane, ‘i’ bookended a

three year period in which the duo had made some of the most prophetic and

revelatory music of the entire decade.

After ‘i’ the duo’s output became more sporadic with Tambala and Ayuli moving in

different directions both geographically and musically, with only 1994’s ‘New Clear

Child’ a crystalline re-fraction of future and past echoes of jazz, folk and soul, before

the duo went their separate ways. Since then, A.R. Kane’s music has endured, not

thanks to the usual sepia’d false memories that seem to maintain interest in so much

of the musical past, but because those who hear A.R. Kane music and are changed

irrevocably, have to share that universe which A.R. Kane opened up, with anyone

else who will listen. Far more than other lauded documents of the late 80s it still

sounds astonishingly fresh, astonishingly livid and vivid and necessary and NOW.

NOW Music is proud to present the second in our ongoing series of vinyl compilations, NOW That’s What I Call 80s Dancefloor. Each edition features an essential collection of tracks representing key genres from the incredible diversity that were all part of 1980’s Dance music. This volume, featuring 29 tracks across 2-LPs, pressed on 1 Purple and 1 Pink vinyl, presents the best in Disco and Electro.

Minimal Wave proudly presents a newly remastered deluxe double album of archival material by pioneering 80s minimal electronic duo Oppenheimer Analysis. Oppenheimer Analysis formed in London, England in 1982 by Andy Oppenheimer and Martin Lloyd. Their first meeting though was at the 1979 World Science Fiction Convention in Brighton. They quickly became good friends, sharing an interest in the work of David Bowie, electronic music and early synthesizer bands such as the Human League and Soft Cell. They also shared a love of old science fiction movies, 1950s graphics and comic book imagery and a fascination with post-World War II propaganda, the politics and aesthetics of the Cold War, and the social impact of the atomic bomb. Over the next few years Andy and Martin frequented the growing club scene, including Studio 21 on Oxford Street, and became involved in the developing Futurist and New Romantic style sub-cultures. During this period Martin recorded as Analysis, both alone and with David Rome of Drinking Electricity. They released their first single, “Surface Tension/Connections” on David’s Survival label in 1981. In 1982, Oppenheimer Analysis began writing and recording together at Feedback Studio in Battersea, and performed several times at The Bell, Islington, the 1983 World David Bowie Convention in Hammersmith, the Starzone Birthday Party at Camden Palace, the 1984 European Science Fiction Convention in Brighton and other live venues. Their first demo tape and twelve song “New Mexico” cassette were sold at gigs and by mail-order, and were reviewed in Melody Maker, Sounds and Soundmaker. For the years to follow, Oppenheimer Analysis became recognized among electro-music aficionados as a pioneering duo who influenced countless other bands during the club and home-recording era of the early 1980s and beyond. Their cassettes became massively collectible. In 2005 they re-formed with the release of a self-titled four song 12” EP of selections from the New Mexico cassette, including “Cold War” and “The Devil’s Dancers”. This marked the first release on Minimal Wave. Now in 2015, we’re happy to present the entire New Mexico collection, newly remastered and cut to vinyl for the first time ever, to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. This first edition of 1000 copies is pressed on deluxe ‘nuclear’ style black and white 160 gram vinyl, housed in a glossy gatefold silver and black printed sleeve, featuring all the song lyrics on the inside of the sleeve. First release date: May 16th, 2015. This quintessential reissue has been produced in loving memory of Martin Lloyd.

Dark Entries summons Philadelphia synthesizer scribes The Ghostwriters to rouse their ambient masterwork Remote Dreaming. The late Buchla maestro Charles Cohen and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Cain joined up in 1971 to craft electroacoustic chaos as Anomali, later renaming themselves The Ghostwriters. Their collaborations with choreographers and visual media artists led to their singular style, straddling improvisation and composition, the oneiric and the immediate. Following their debut album, Objects in Mirrors Are Closer Than They Appear, they were approached by ambient outlet Mu-Pysch. Remote Dreaming would take shape in various studios over nine months. Jeff Cain's instruments on this project included electric and acoustic pianos, the Juno 106 synthesizer, and a Mirage sampler, while Charles Cohen used his signature Buchla 200 Series Electronic Musical Instrument. A stark departure from the tightly wound first LP, Remote Dreaming shows the duo unfurling with soothing pianos and psychoacoustic textures, its somnambulant drones just skirting the edges of the uncanny. Although ignored in its time, Remote Dreaming is now heralded as a landmark in 80s experimental ambient music. It is here released for the first time on vinyl, spread across a double LP with five additional tracks, four of which were previously unreleased. Remote Dreaming has been freshly remastered and includes an insert with photos and liner notes. Proceeds will be donated to Sosa (Safe from Online Sex Abuse), a nonprofit that combats online child sex abuse and trafficking.

"Yoichi Takizawa's second album ""boy"" which follows his first album ""Leonids no Kanatani"", is miraculously released after more than 40 years!

This work was scheduled to be released on July 25, 1982, following his first single ""Sunday Park"". For unknown reasons, this is a phantom second album that was canceled just before its release.

*Also includes the original version of ""Kagirinaki Natsu"" from Hideki Saijo's 17th album ""gentle・a Man"" released on March 5, 1984.

The mixdown was once complete, but the original master of the 2-mix is currently missing, so the mixdown was done again for this album (except for Side B, 1st and 2nd tracks released as singles). The mix work this time was done based on the remaining karaoke masters of all the songs, and the album was revived as a supreme album that expresses a modern sound while staying as close to the original mix as possible.

The first album "" Leonids no Kanatani"" released by Alfa and traded at high prices long before the City Pop boom, has been reissued on vinyl. This second album is also finally being released in its entirety on vinyl for the first time in the world!"

"Yoshino Fujimaru's first solo album, ""yoshino Fujimal"" released in 1982 and produced with the members of Ab's, will be released on pink colored vinyl! The musicians who performed on the album included Makoto Matsushita, Naoki Watanabe, and Atsuo Okamoto, who would later become members of Ab's, with Haruko Kuwana on backing vocals and EPO also participating as backing chorus."