antimusic.com: Remake-Remodel: Bryan Adams- Bob Marley- Tears for Fears Review

Bryan Adams- Bob Marley- Tears for Fears

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Lots of reissues, compilations, box sets and enhanced versions of vintage hit albums came out in 2014, so many in fact that it was hard to keep up with them all. With that in mind, here are our picks for a handful of good ones including Bryan Adams, Bob Marley, Tears for Fears, in case you missed them.

Bryan Adams
Reckless 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Ume

Adams put out a new record just a few months ago but it was a less-than-satisfying covers album; this souped-up version of his best album is a far better bet. Featuring hits like "Run to Me," "The Summer of '69," "One Night Love Affair" and "It's Only Love," a duet with Tina Turner, this re-mastered version of Reckless would be a prize without any enhancements. But appended are seven bonus tracks including "Reckless," surprisingly not-included on the original album that bear's its name. A second disc offers a 15-song live show taped for the BBC in '85 and with all the biggies from Reckless plus other goodies like "Cuts Like a Knife," "Straight from the Heart" and "Kids Wanna Rock." Get it here.

Bob Marley
Legend: The Best of Bob Marley 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition
Ume

2015 is the 70th anniversary of Marley's birth and Ume and the Marley estate are teaming up to release a series of recordings, mostly previously unreleased live shows, throughout the year. In the meantime fans already have access to this nice revamping of Legend that's packed with hits like "I Shot the Sheriff," "Jamming," "No Woman No Cry," "Stir it Up," "Is This Love" and lots more. A double-disc set, the second CD presents the collection in Blu-ray audio and with alternate versions of "Easy Skanking" and "Punky Reggae Party." Get it here.

Strictly the Best Vol. 50
Various artists
VP Records

Reggae fans can never go wrong with titles in this long-running series from VP Records, who celebrated their 35th anniversary in 2014. A two-disc set, Vol. 50 is a collection of "roots" and "lover's rock"-style reggae songs featuring 18 cuts by movers and shakers currently on the scene such as Gyptian, Queen Ifrica, Romain Virgo, Etana and Jah Cure. In a nice touch though, the second disc holds older cuts done in the same style but featuring big legacy names like Freddie McGregor, Beres Hammond, Dennis Brown and Jacob Miller. Get it here.

Tears for Fears
Songs from the Big Chair Super Deluxe Edition
Ume

Some may shake their head at the fact that this very comprehensive six-disc set contains 10 versions of "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," one of the massive hits from Songs from the Big Chair. But more than 10 million copies of that album were sold and among those purchasers are lots of hard core fans who will eat up every groove here, including a full disc of edits, a full disc of remixes and a full disc of unreleased songs including live versions, instrumentals and early mixes. A DVD is included that features mostly music videos but also some live clips and an interview with Songs producer Chris Hughes. Get it here

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