Record Store Day 2024, the Black Friday edition, is almost upon us – in just two days, to be exact, on November 29, 2024. What better way to beat the typical turkey tryptophan lull than on Friday to go to your favorite indie record store and see what your LP lover likes? That’s what this is about AP Plan to do this as we usually do on this sacred special release day.

Plus, as usual, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite RSD picks with you in advance – and ultimately reviewing everything we can, depending on how many of them we can get our hands on. As always, you can find a full RSD 2024 list here on the official Record Store Day website. As always, if you want to follow their web version and/or download the PDF to have your own checklist ready, you can find it. By my count, there are 158 titles listed for this year’s RSD event.

I’ll let my fellow LP reviewer Mark Smotroff first present his five favorites for RSD 2024, then following his five favorites I’ll present my own. Take it away, Brother Mark!!

MARK SMOTROFF

Thanks, Mike! Joe Bataan’s 1968 LP Uprising! (Fania/Craft Recordings) is the rare (in any condition!) second album from this pioneer of Latin music – also known as “The King of Latin Soul”. While I’m looking for this one (and it’s on 180g, by the way), I’m hoping I can also find a copy of Bataan’s 1967 debut LP Gypsywhich Craft relaunched in January 2024. (1,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

It’s the first time on vinyl (and 2LP color vinyl at that!) for The Carl Stalling Project Music from Warner Bros. Cartoons 1936-1958 (Rhino/Warner), a classic 1990 Warner Bros. cartoon music compilation that I’ve had on CD for decades. It also contains many hints from Raymond Scott! (5,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

Brah, humbug! Christmas in NOLA is a little misleading, as this track was released back in 2022 via the label that released it on RSD, Tipitina’s Record Club – but still, if the price is right (and remember that SRPs for RSD releases are not normally available in the to be announced in advance). , it sounds like a fun romp. I like the official description of this collection: “Not your parents’ Christmas album – this compilation shows how New Orleans puts a new twist on old classics and some fun holiday originals.” Guaranteed to get your holiday party going.” Works for me! (500 copies; RSD First)

Tracing Curtis Mayfield’s early production and songwriting work for Vee Jay, The Soul and Songs of Young Curtis Mayfield: The Spirit of Chicago (Vee Jay/Craft Recordings), appears to be an interesting 2LP compilation containing tracks from his former group The Impressions as well as his work with Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler and others. It was reportedly remastered from the original analog tapes by Paul Blakemore. I’m pretty sure I already have some of this material – but it’s not always easy to find early Curtis and The Impressions LPs in even half-decent condition, so this collection is definitely attractive, especially if they used single mixes . (1,500 copies; RSD Exclusive)

Lights on a Satellite: Live on the Left Bank (Resonance) is good – and fun! – new archived live recording of Sun Ra and his Arkestra from 1978. This is the big band Sun Ra spinning futuristic jazz sounds and even standards like Harold Arlen’s “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and tunes by Fletcher Henderson (“Yeah Man” ), Miles Davis (“Half Nelson”), and Tadd Dameron (“Lady Bird”). My Short Cuts review of this 2LP set, as well as other recent non-RSD vinyl releases from Sun Ra, will be posted here AP pretty soon. (1,500 copies; RSD Exclusive)

MIKE METTLER

Lots of great choices there, Mark! Here are mine. I was first fascinated by Angelo Badalamenti’s work for (and with) David Lynch on the legendary director’s still-harrowing 1986 film. Blue velvet – not to mention what he did Twin Peaks (although I probably just mentioned it) – so I can’t wait to get my hands and ears on his Music for film and television LP (Varèse Sarabande). Pressed on translucent red vinyl, Music for film and television Also includes brand new artwork from renowned illustrator Brianna Ashby, depicting Badalamenti surrounded by numerous identifiable props from many of his projects. Damn good piece of vinyl cake, this one! (1,500 copies; RSD Exclusive)

I’m an unabashed completist when it comes to The Doors, so I’m all about getting them Live in Detroit 4LP set (Rhino/Elektra) recorded on May 8, 1970 at the famous Cobo Arena in Detroit. This collection is from the Motor City stop on the band’s Roadhouse Blues Tour and includes a number of blues covers including “Back Door Man” (Side A), “Mystery Train” (Side D) and Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads” (also). Page D). According to the press releases Live in Detroit was one of the Doors’ longer shows, as they played an hour past curfew and were subsequently banned from the arena. Oh, show me the way to the nearest whiskey bar. . . (5,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

Speaking of that certain elixir, the last time I interviewed Echo & The Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch, he promised to buy the whisky/whisky the next time we see each other in person – and I’m still keen to take him up on that offer . In the meantime, I’m pleased to receive and consume the 12-inch single for one of my favorite songs from the 1980s, “The Killing Moon” (Rhino/Warner), released in part to celebrate E&TB’s 40th anniversary appears release in May 1984 on Korova/Sire, Ocean rain. This full-length single also features “The Killing Moon (All Night Version)” on side 1, available on vinyl for the first time since its original release, and “Do It Clean (Live)” on side 2. There you have it also releasing a 12 inch single for another key Ocean rain Titled “Silver”, so it looks like I’ll have to get that one too! (3,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

Stevie Nicks has been a bit crowded in traditional media lately as her current solo world tour comes to an end, but she recently wrote and released a poignant new song, “The Lighthouse,” that is highly worthy of her rich catalog legacy . According to the press materials, it’s this song (which I recently saw her perform). SNLFeaturing Waddy Wachtel on guitar) is “intended as a rallying cry to current, past and future generations of women at this pivotal moment in history.” “The Lighthouse” (Warner Records) was produced by Nicks, Sheryl Crow and Dave Cobb and presents RSD 2024 in the form of a 7-inch single on white vinyl. However, there is no advance information as to whether it features a new B-side or just a repeat of side 1. (5,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

U2 are frequent RSD releasers and this year is no different. How to Reassemble a Nuclear Bomb (Iceland/Interscope) is said to be a collection of ten songs taken from the original recording sessions for their rather strong November 2004 release on Iceland. How to dismantle a nuclear bombjust in time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the core album. The source material was recently rediscovered in the band’s archive and these selected tracks are being released for the first time as a standalone LP, alternately referred to as the “Shadow Album”. Unreleased songs include “Luckiest Man in the World,” “Happiness,” and “Country Mile,” while newly remastered tracks include “Picture of You (X + W).” Given the number of copies Assemble U2 fans like myself should keep their fingers crossed that they’ll find this easier than some of the other RSD releases on our list. (20,000 copies; RSD Exclusive)

And there you have it – our top 10 RSD 2024 tips. Happy hunting – and in the meantime, we wish everyone reading this a happy Thanksgiving. We here at AP I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you!

How to put an Irish band back together: U2, circa their 2004 resurgence. Photo by Andrew McPherson.