Record Store Day 2025. The Rock-afire Explosion was an animatronic band that played in ShowBiz Pizza Place restaurants from 1980 to 1993. The show was pioneering in many respects to other animatronic shows of the early 1980s, featuring life-sized characters capable of facial expression; some were even programmed in such a way that they could actually play simple melodies on musical instruments. They would perform medleys of classic rock, pop, and country music, as well as original compositions. The show was created and manufactured by Aaron Fechter, through his company Creative Engineering in Orlando, Florida. In addition to overseeing the production of the animatronics, Fechter also wrote skits, provided the voices for several characters, and programmed the showtapes. This LP is an unreleased collection of original material from this famous pizza band.

"The Best Footie Anthems In The World…Ever!" is a 1996 compilation celebrating iconic football-themed tracks from the UK and beyond. This energetic collection, released by Virgin Records, captures the spirit of football culture through a mix of pop rock, indie, Britpop, and classic football chants. It’s designed to evoke the passion, nostalgia, and camaraderie of match day—whether in stadiums, pubs, or living rooms.

City Hall, Sheffield, England, December 22, 1970. The definitive edition!

The ever persistent and prolific ensemble known as Bright Dog Red return with their EIGHTH album release here at Ropeadope. Never Would We begins with the ensemble digging into heavier musical dialogue, a seemingly metal-inspired industrial response to the chaos of the world. From there a story unfolds like a soundtrack to a film that is yet to be made, envisioning dark cityscapes at night and summer drives up-river. There is mastery in the mix, as each player gets their crystal-clear time in the spotlight, with the bass as an ever present driving force. The care with which this band has been cultivated by leader Joe Pignato is stunning, as each album deviates from yet builds on the last.

It has become increasingly difficult for me to listen to vibraphonists since first hearing Sasha Berliner, whose artistry redefined my sense of the instrument’s possibilities. Yet one must admit that this album, steeped in bebop accents and marked by an exceptional attention to detail in its compositions, cannot leave any listener indifferent. The New York vibraphonists perfectly measured playing heightens the beauty of the works, lending them both poise and depth.

Geometrical Sardine takes listeners on a daring sonic expedition with Last Flight Before Extinction, released on Produccions BLAU S.L. Fusing electronic precision with organic intensity, the album unfolds as a vivid exploration of rhythm, texture, and emotion—where pulsing beats collide with haunting melodies and atmospheric layers. Each track feels like a dispatch from a world on the brink, balancing urgency with fragile beauty. Boldly experimental yet deeply human, Last Flight Before Extinction captures the sound of survival, transformation, and the enduring will to create amid chaos.

Winner of the 2022 Charles Cros Academy Prize for her second album, Varka, French-Greek singer Dafné Kritharas invites us on a musical odyssey between the lands of Byzantium and the shores of the Orient, accompanied by musicians from here and elsewhere. A journey that sings of exile, love, and joy with a pure and heartbreaking voice.

This is the definitive collection of Charles Mackerras’s Mozart recordings for Linn, with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Comprising nine symphonies plus the Requiem, this boxed set exemplifies why Mackerras was acclaimed as one of the world’s greatest Mozartians and the SCO is internationally recognised as one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras. Mackerras’s recording of Mozart’s four late symphonies (Nos. 38–41) won multiple awards: the 2009 Classical BRITs Critics’ Award and the 2009 BBC Music Magazine Disc of the Year and Orchestral Awards, whilst his recording of symphonies Nos. 29, 31 (‘Paris’), 32, 35 (‘Haffner’) & 36 (‘Linz’) was named Symphonic Recording of the Year at the 2011 ECHO Klassik Awards. Completing the collection is Mackerras’s recording of the Mozart Requiem, boasting stellar soloists led by soprano Susan Gritton and mezzo Catherine Wyn-Rogers. The score, prepared by the renowned American academic Robert Levin, aims for a more historically authentic performance of the choral masterpiece. It was named a benchmark recording by BBC Music Magazine amongst other accolades.

Unreleased versions. Rare and unreleased material from Brian Eno and David Byrne’s groundbreaking 1981 collaboration, “My Life in the Bush of Ghosts.”

Mercury nominated trumpet player and composer Laura Jurd releases second solo album Rites & Revelations. Heavily influenced by folk music and pulled toward Celtic traditional music, Laura draws on her English and Scottish roots and is blessed with the collaborative powers of Martin Green & Ultan O'Brien. The album culminates a journey of exploration for Laura, rich with renaissance song, earthy drones, lilting jigs and highly ornamented ballads, Rites & Revelations is a personal renaissance.

A phenomenal live performer, Mitski brought the platinum The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We to the world’s stages in theatrical and daring fashion. Presenting as much a spectacle as an expansive live show, she showcased music from the album alongside reworkings and reimaginings of songs that color her expansive career. The Land: The Live Album converts the magic and majesty of witnessing Mitski live to an album. Recorded over three nights at Atlanta’s Fox Theatre in 2024 and mixed by Mitski’s long-standing producer Patrick Hyland, this is a thrilling listen portraying what kept hundreds of thousands of fans rapt at venues across the globe. The digital edition of The Land comprises 21 beloved tracks culled from Mitski’s catalog, including “Washing Machine Heart,” “I Bet On Losing Dogs,” “First Love / Late Spring,” “My Love Mine All Mine,” and “Nobody,” while the vinyl edition comprises 12.

Here For It All, Mariah Carey's highly anticipated 16th studio album and her first since 2018’s Caution. Blending pop, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop, this bold new project celebrates every era of Mariah’s iconic sound while introducing fresh collaborations and modern influences. Featuring 11 brand-new tracks, Here For It All showcases Mariah’s unmatched talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer. The album includes special guest appearances by Anderson .Paak, and and the legendary Clark Sisters, plus production from top names like The Stereotypes and HARV, along with a cover of Paul McCartney’s classic “My Love,” and an exclusive Mariah-only version of "Sugar Sweet."

Caro Emerald is a Dutch jazz singer who emerged in 2009 with the smash hit single "Back It Up" and made her chart-topping album debut in 2010 with Deleted Scenes from the Cutting Room Floor. Born Caroline van der Leeuw on April 26, 1981 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, she studied music at the conservatory, specializing in jazz and subsequently working as a vocal coach. Her breakthrough success came in 2009 with the single "Back It Up," written and produced by David Schreurs and Jan van Wieringen of Grandmono Records, along with songwriter Vincent de Giorgio. "Back It Up" began as a summertime hit but ended up spending 21 weeks on the Dutch charts, from July to December.

With Classical Dance – Simply the Best, Alex Christensen and The Berlin Orchestra continue their celebrated success series, in which iconic dance and pop hits are reinterpreted in a lavish, classical guise. Since the very first installment, Christensen has shaped a unique style with his blend of orchestral grandeur, club beats, and cinematic dynamics – and with Volume 6, he once again delivers a collection of tracks that combine nostalgia with goosebump moments.

Originally released in 1994 'Talk' was the 14th studio album by progressive legends Yes.
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Spirit of Unicorn Music re-issue this masterpiece of progressive rock with extensive sleeve notes written by Jerry Ewing. The deluxe edition features bonus tracks and an unreleased live show from New York, 1992. ''Glorious! It was like a renaissance of Yes to me.” Jon Anderson, speaking about the Yes album Talk in 2023. Originally released in 1994 ‘Talk’ was the 14th studio album by progressive legends Yes - and the last to feature guitarist Trevor Rabin and keyboard player Tony Kaye. A ground-breaking project, ‘Talk’ was one of the very first albums to be recorded and edited entirely digitally, without using traditional audio tape. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Spirit of Unicorn Music re-issue this masterpiece of progressive rock with extensive sleeve notes written by Jerry Ewing, editor of PROG magazine who spoke exclusively to Trevor Rabin and Jon Anderson about their recollections of writing and recording this classic. All format versions are fully remastered by renowned engineer Andy Pearce. The deluxe edition features bonus tracks and an unreleased live show from New York, 1992. Highly sought after among fans, original versions of the vinyl release exchange hands for over £100. A 1-CD version is also available. The album has been “out of print” for some considerable time and is much sought after by fans and collectors.