There are 11 record stores in Iowa that have signed a "pledge" to participate in Record Store Day 2021, meaning they'll be stocking at least a few of the new releases expected Saturday, June 12 and again on Saturday, July 17.
They include:
- Wax Xtatic Record Audio Stereo Shop in Marshalltown
- CDs-4-Change in Dubuque
- Zzz Records in Des Moines
- Marv's Music in Des Moines
- Vinyl Cup Records in Des Moines
- Ragged Records in Davenport
- Jay's CD and Hobby in Des Moines
- Weird Harold's Records in Burlington
- Moondog Music in Dubuque
- Record Collector in Iowa City
- The Dig Inn in Reinbeck
Here are the records we're excited to hear that are being released June 12:
"I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel To Be Free" - The Blind Boys of Alabama ft. Bela Fleck.
The Blind Boys of Alabama are among the most premier artists of the gospel world. Bela Fleck is among the most premier artists of the bluegrass world. Together, they have earned 20 Grammy Awards and scores of other accolades. For RSD Drops 2021, The Blind Boys of Alabama and Bela Fleck have joined together for a special 7" 45RPM vinyl release.
On the A-side, they cover "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free", the Billy Taylor and Dick Dallas classic made famous by Nina Simone. The song continues to be an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. On the B-side, the Blind Boys bring "See By Faith" to a physical format for the first time. A bonus track to their acclaimed LP, Almost Home, "See By Faith" is a previously unreleased Bob Dylan-penned track.
"Original Grooves: Ella in Berlin" - Ella Fitzgerald
Verve Label Group is proud to launch a new vinyl series, Original Grooves, available exclusively on Record Store Day. Original Grooves showcases the vinyl cutting technique known as "parallel grooves”, where grooves are cut side-by-side instead of one after another, allowing for a different aural experience depending on where the needle is dropped. The second of this series comes from Ella Fitzgerald. This 12" Single LP features live versions of Mack the Knife and Summertime from the legendary 1960 Berlin performance, with the 1962 “Lost Berlin Tapes” versions “hidden” on the neighboring grooves.
"Regimental Sgt. Zippo" - Elton John
For much of the 1960s, Elton John was a session vocalist and musician, and songwriter for hire. His own debut album came out in 1969. “Regimental Sgt. Zippo” was recorded before that, but not released, perhaps because it was already considered passé in 1968. The record is being described as “an affectionate nod to Sgt. Pepper and the era.”
"Acid, Incense and Balloons: RSD- Collected Gems From The Golden Era Of Flight" - Jefferson Airplane
"Acid, Incense and Balloons: RSD-Collected Gems From The Golden Era Of Flight"was created by the Record Store Day team and curated by record stores. The songs on this collection originally appeared on various Jefferson Airplane releases from 1966 to 1971. Some of the ‘gems’ here will be familiar, while others are obscure, live, or alternate versions of Jefferson Airplane songs. Wide stylistic swings, from sweet folk-pop to crushing psychedelic anthems, add up to a glorious portrait of the era, evoking Acid, Incense and Balloons.
"Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor Series" - Lupe Fiasco
Celebrating the 15 year anniversary of the album release, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor Series is a limited edition four LP set featuring Fiasco’s debut studio album Food & Liquor and follow up Food and Liquor II together on vinyl for the first time.
"House EP" - Lupe Fiasco
The projectwas born out of Lupe pulling a beat off of Twitter, posted by Kaelin Ellis with the caption, "get this to Lupe". Lupe recorded a rap over the beat and posted the new recording back on Twitter within an hour of Kaelin posting the instrumental. The two conversed over social media and agreed to work on more music, which led to the HOUSE EP being turned around within 3-4 weeks while quarantined during the COVID-19 pandemic. The project features narration from longtime friend of Lupe and international fashion designer and entrepreneur, Virgil Abloh (Louis Vuitton, Off White). The title of the EP is HOUSE because they recorded the entire project while in the house (due to COVID-19). Artwork for the EP is an original painting of Philip Johnson's iconic Glass House, and liner notes were written by the painter's son who is a good friend of Lupe’s. Previously available on cassette.
"Palo Alto: The Custodian's Mix" - Thelonius Monk
This newly-unearthed 1968 recording was the buzz of the jazz world in 2020 and one of the biggest points of interest has been the identity of the unnamed high school janitor who recorded this extraordinary concert. For the album’s release Grandmixer DXT worked his magic to bring the audio from the concert into the 21st century. Palo Alto: The Custodian's Mix uses the audio from the original tape to put you in that high school auditorium in October 1968 and lets you feel what it was like to be in the room. Additionally, Thelonious Monk’s signature will be etched into the runout groove.
"Stories of A Stranger" - O.A.R.
This is the first-ever vinyl pressing of O.A.R.'s fifth studio album, originally released in 2005, featuring the singles "Loves and Memories," "Heard The World" and "Lay Down." It’s being released as a 2 LP set pressed on colored vinyl.
"The Police - Live! Vol. 1" and "The Police - Live! Vol. 2"
Two separate double LPs showcase the band on two stages:
Volume 1 Recorded in 1979shows a trio on the rise performing at its rawest, propelled by bassist and lead singer Sting, followed by drummer extraordinaire Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers, whose guitar textures are present throughout the show.
The live gig took place at the Orpheum in Boston during the tour for their second album, Reggatta de Blanc, and was broadcast on local radio station WBCN at the time. It captures The Police at their most frantic and energetic.
Volume 2 was recorded on the American leg of their Synchronicity tour in 1983 during a stop in Georgia, at a show at The Omni in Atlanta. The show highlights a band at its peak, their already sophisticated sound being complemented by three background vocalists – Dollette Mc Donald, Tessa Niles and Michelle Cobb.
"The Battle of Mexico City" - Rage Against the Machine
The Battle Of Mexico Citydocuments Rage Against The Machine’s legendary show at Mexico City’s Palacio de los Deportes in 1999. This was the band’s first ever show in Mexico and part of their Battle Of Los Angeles tour. This release makes its vinyl debut on red and green colored vinyl with a white label as a tribute to the Mexican flag.
"The Lost Phillip Glass Sessions" - The Raybeats
We use music by The Raybeatsall the time on Studio One as bed music. So, even if you haven’t heard of them, if you listen often, you’ve probably heard them.
"The Pleasure Is All Yours: The Pleased to Meet Me Outtakes & Alternates" - The Replacements
A collection of songs leftover from the sessions for The Replacements’ classic album “Pleased To Meet Me,” all available on vinyl for the first time, including alternate versions of “Alex Chilton” and “Can’t Hardly Wait.”
"The Saint Of Lost Causes" - Steve Earle & The Dukes / Justin Townes Earle
Steve Earle paid heartbreaking tribute to his late son Justin Townes Earle with his latest record “J.T.,” covering many of Justin’s best known songs. This release includes both the elder Earle’s cover of “The Saint Of Lost Causes” and the original by Justin.
"Truth To Power Project" - Various Artists
Dallas-based Eastwood Music Group has joined forces with the Dallas Mavericks and Universal Music Production Group to curate a "Soundtrack for Empowerment." The Truth to Power Project is a creative endeavor working to engage people with inspiring new music and multimedia content to encourage community involvement. Let’s bring truth to the light so that we can heal, grow, and prosper together. Hip-Hop, Soul, Psych and Jazz artists with a shared commitment to racial equity have donated their time and creative energies to produce Exclusive collaborations, including Leon Bridges, Black Pumas, BADBADNOTGOOD, Keite Young, Ghost-Note, Sarah Jaffe, Holy Hive, and many more. And it hasn’t taken long for this expansive, nonprofit musical endeavor to transcend its DFW roots and grow into Austin, New York, Detroit, and Toronto. On a local level, Eastwood is working with the Dallas Mavericks and Universal Music Production Group to identify nonprofits in the DFW-area that are aligned with their vision for supporting communities that have been damaged by inequitable structures. Released on RSD-Exclusive smoky clear vinylin a single wide-spine jacket designed by renowned Dallas artist Jeremy Biggers.
"Live at the Windsor Castle, Auckland, May 1986" - The Verlaines
Legendary New Zealand band The Verlaines are proud to release Live at the Windsor Castle, Auckland May 1986 for the first time ever, exclusively for RSD Drops 2021.
Packaged in a beautiful gatefold jacket, the artwork is a replication of the vintage gig poster. Sky Blue vinyl, complete with download code and liner notes from singer Graeme Downes: “This album may end up the hands of people who weren't even born when these performances took place, so, let me tell you what it was like. The Verlaines. at the time, were Graeme Downes, Jane Dodd and Robbie Yeats. We lived in Dunedin at the near-bottom of the South Island of New Zealand. We were at University. These gigs were recorded to try to capture a live version of Slow Sad Love Song for the upcoming Birddog album that we recorded later that year.” Limited to 1200 copies Worldwide.
