Nirvana back on vinyl
NIRVANA fans and collectors have something to shout about this week as news arrives of a special vinyl release.
The product is a re-issue of the 2002 'best of ' collection simply titled Nirvana and will be available from August 28.
This is the first time that particular album has been committed to vinyl and is a must for those who like to physically hold and gaze lovingly at an actual record and its corresponding packaging.
Speaking of which, the edition comes complete with gatefold sleeve, liner notes and just to give it a modern twist, a digital download card.
Summer breeze
If you are fan of R&B it's a bumper week for you with two new equally attractive compilation albums on sale this week.
Ministry of Sound's Throwback R&B serves up a pretty substantial helping of silky soul pop songs that were huge hits over the past 20 years.
Everything from LL Cool J's Hey Lover to Ja Rule's Always On Time make an appearance on a collection that is difficult to switch off once the mood takes you.
Highlights include Missy Elliott's Get Ur Freak On and Notorious BIG's Hypnotize, which also indicates the slight lean towards rap and hip hop taken by the album.
The other compilation that partners this release very nicely is The Very Best of Chilled R&B. As the title suggests this selection reflects the softer side of the genre and houses a few velvet smooth treats like Right Here by SWV, TLC's Waterfalls and and Cry Me A River by Justin Timberlake.
Together, these records will cover most pop R&B bases for the casual fan and will probably sound great in your car over the summer – whenever that is.
New direction
Loving the Libertines' new track Gunga Din: the band are back on top form and sound like they have certainly put any musical differences aside to make a record that sounds like The Clash – good enough reason to like it and also ironic because Mick Jones hasn't produced the new material.
The new album, Anthems For Doomed Youth, is available on September 4. And, since we're talking production, it's worth pointing out that it was in fact produced by Jake Gosling who has worked on records by the likes of Ed Sheeran and One Direction.
Golden years
Years and Years have followed up the huge hit King with the equally catchy Shine. The track also comes from the guys' excellent album, Communion.
Shine, like so much of the record, combines electronic elements with pure pop melodies. Certainly not as immediate as King, but still one of the best single releases of the summer.
