Vinyl Reports

A pair of recent reissues of two raw, rockin’ classic LPs by Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters are arguably ground zero for modern electric blues music as we know it today. Kicking off UMG’s 75th anniversary celebration of the venerable Chess Records label late last fall, Howlin Wolf’s Moanin’ in the Moonlight (1959) and Muddy Waters’ The Best of Muddy Waters (1958) are two of the LPs that ushered in the parent label’s Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, with Acoustic Sounds handling the 180g pressings. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see why both of these reissues are vital additions to your collection. . .

At the tail end of last year, we reviewed the inaugural release in UMe’s most excellent new Vinylphyle reissue series — The Velvet Underground & Nico’s 1967 self-titled debut LP — and this week, we’re going to dig into two more offerings from this most excellent series’ first run of releases: a) Bob Marley & The Wailers’ June 1977 global breakthrough LP Exodus, and b) The Band’s underappreciated yet iconic November 1975 original-lineup studio swan song, Northern Lights – Southern Cross. Read Mark Smotroff’s two-fer review to see why both of these Vinylphyle LPs deserve your immediate attention. . .

For many music enthusiasts just getting into jazz, the arguable best way to discover the work of the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane is to, in fact, listen to his seminal recordings made for the Atlantic label in the early 1960s — and listen to them in mono. And thus, that leads us directly to today’s review subject, John Coltrane’s 1960–1964 Mono, a 180g 6LP box set released via Rhino’s most excellent High Fidelity Series back in late November 2025 as the ostensible kickoff celebration for this year’s Coltrane Centennial. (The late, great Trane was born in September 1926.) Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see exactly why you should make the investment to get your hands (and ears) on the 1960–1964 Mono collection. . .

In December 1973, Yes issued Tales From Topographic Oceans, a double album that some fans consider to be the greatest record they ever made, while others view it as a time-marker pinpointing the precise moment where the entire progressive rock genre went off the rails. Either way you look at it, the galvanizing, chart-topping Tales From Topographic Oceans is being rightly celebrated today, February 6, 2026, with the release of an exemplary, expansive super deluxe edition from Atlantic/Rhino that includes 2LPs, 12CDs (yes, 12 CDs), and 1BD — a truly deep-dive for (re)consideration of this remarkable recording. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see exactly why this new collection of Tales is worthy of repeat sailing, er, spinning on your turntable . . .

Fifty years ago, upon the release of his 10th studio album on RCA, January 1976’s Station to Station, David Bowie painted a firm portrait of his future, presenting his Thin White Duke persona that was first hinted at on March 1975’s Young Americans. Now celebrating its so-called Golden Jubilee, Station to Station was re-released 50 years to the day on January 23, 2026, via Parlophone in a new half-speed-mastered, audiophile-worthy limited-edition 180g LP, alongside a fun, companion picture disc option. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if you need to check into either/both of these STS reissues. . .

Many music fans consider Electric Warrior, the classic September 1971 Reprise LP by Marc Bolan’s T. Rex, to be ground zero for the music genre known as glam rock. Indeed, popular music’s trajectory at that time would likely be very different if not for the success of this album, which has long been an in-demand fan-favorite LP. And thus, a new, audiophile-worthy remastered 180g 1LP version of it courtesy Rhino’s most excellent High Fidelity Series was very much in order. Read Mark Smotroff’s review to see if you need to get it on with the Kevin Gray remaster of Electric Warrior ASAP. . .

In a moment that truly signifies the end of an era, the passing of 1960s psychedelic music legend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Grateful Dead co-founder Bob Weir at age 78 on January 10, 2026, has certainly shook the souls of fans all around the world. It’s such a tremendous loss, and we here at AP can’t help but continue to be awe-inspired by his incredible career and joyously rich musical output. To properly fete the man’s accomplishments, we tasked our resident Deadhead Mark Smotroff to reflect on Weir’s life and times, in addition to recommending some choice Weir-centric listening moments on vinyl — both studio recordings and live performances — for fans old and new to seek out and enjoy. . .