Audiophile Digital

The Doors
Various Artists
The Wonderful Sounds Of Quality Record Pressings
Analogue Productions CAPP 147 SA 2xSACDs

Forgive the irony: AP sent the SACDs, not the vinyl, despite this championing ‘pressings’. As such, this actually merits a title change to ‘The Wonderful Sounds Of SACDs’ because it may be the best-ever primer for those still wavering. Not only does it include classical, jazz, blues, female vocals and soul, it features familiar mainstream tracks like you have never heard them before – not just ‘audiophile’ recordings. Issac Hayes’ ‘Theme From Shaft’, Jean Knight’s ‘Mr Big Stuff’, two from Rickie Lee Jones, tracks from Wes Montgomery, Hugh Masekela, the Reference Recordings and APO libraries – the only samplers that come close are Japan-only discs from our friends at Stereo Sound. You’ll learn here what SACD players can do. KK
Sound Quality: 95%

Family
It’s Only A Movie
Esoteric ECLKEC22856 (two discs)

Following on from the fully-loaded reissue of Fearless [HFN Jan ’24], Family’s seventh and final studio album has enjoyed a similar host of goodies. The tri-fold pack contains two CDs and a detailed booklet, CD1 providing the original album from 1973, newly remastered, along with two B-sides and early versions of three songs. CD2 is filled with 14 tracks from the BBC, all radio sessions dating from 1973, including four from In Concert. Technically, this wasn’t the last of Family, which re-formed for a spell in 2012-2016, but it’s a helluva swan song from one of the most accessible prog-rock bands – especially if you love Roger Chapman’s inimitable vocals. KK
Sound Quality: 85%

UFO
Lights Out
Chrysalis CRCX1531 (two discs)

Sixteen years on from its last CD encounter with bonus tracks, here’s a newly mixed, expanded double-disc set of UFO’s arguably most successful album. Issued in 1977, it was swiftly recognised as a new phase in the band’s sophistication, with orchestral backing and superior compositions, while Michael Schenker pulled out some amazing guitar breaks. Amusingly, one of the high points is the sole cover version, that of Love’s ‘Alone Again Or’, attesting to UFO’s immaculate taste. The four live bonus tracks of the 2008 issue have been expanded to 13 to fill CD2, comprising the first show at The Roundhouse on 2 April 1977, and there are three bonus tracks on CD1. KK
Sound Quality: 90%">

Various Artists
You Can Walk Across It On The Grass
Grapefruit CRSEG3BOX140 (three discs)

Even if born long after the 1960s, you need this 93-track set if you were ever curious about ‘The Boutique Sounds Of Swinging London’. What a stunning collection! It ranges from huge hits like The Kinks’ ‘Dedicated Follower Of Fashion’ to utter obscurities and a smattering of previously unreleased songs, including one from the undervalued Dana Gillespie. Twiggy, early Bolan and Bowie, John Mayall, The Easybeats, The Who, ‘Kinky Boots’, The Troggs, The Yardbirds, ‘The Avengers Theme’, a demo of the Merseys’ ‘Sorrow’ – Grapefruit has surpassed itself here. Get out your kipper ties and listen to everything that inspired The Jam and Blur. KK
Sound Quality: 80%