The ethos of Iconoclassic Records is perfectly captured in the company's name. Iconoclassic Records reissues classic titles by iconic artists, many of whom have handled their careers in an uncompromising, iconoclastic manner.
A CD reissue label focused on rock, pop, and R&B music of the 1970s and '80s, Iconoclassic Records specializes in notable albums that have never been released on CD, as well as classic titles that have fallen out of print.
Iconoclassic Records takes its inspiration from the sterling work of Legacy Recordings, Rhino Records, and Sundazed, among others, as well as from the music itself. Working with Grammy®-winning mastering engineers, acclaimed art directors, and incisive liner note writers, Iconoclassic Records delivers high-quality CD reissues. "Iconoclassic is run by the same people you see on the message boards and blogs: fans delighting in well-mastered and packaged reissues, and voicing their disappointment when their favorite titles are either unavailable or reissued in a manner not befitting their classic status," says label President Frank Ursoleo, a 25 year veteran of the music industry. "Having previously presided over the launch of BMG Entertainment reissue division Buddha Records, we've once again harnessed that passion and knowledge to bring underexposed musical treasures to light."
New Releases:
Weather Report
Tale Spinnin'
Recorded and originally released in 1975, Tale Spinnin’, Weather Report’s fifth
studio album, is an overlooked gem that stands with anything recorded during the
“jazz-rock fusion†era. On a range of fresh, intriguing originals by the band’s
co-founders and principle composers, keyboardist Joe Zawinul and saxophonist
Wayne Shorter, Zawinul’s pioneering interest in what we now call world music is
in evidence, and his synthesizer sophistication is growing along with the
available technology. Shorter’s work on soprano sax is more animated than on
Weather Report’s previous two albums, and Alphonso Johnson brings his melodic
bass to the fore. "Tale Spinnin' sets up a hypnotic groove, loose and funky with
more than a touch of Afro-Latin in the rhythm section and engaging melodic
detail on top. . . Spinnin' convinces once again that Weather Report is the most
adventurous, meticulous and consistently stimulating band working in the
electric-jazz idiom." - Rolling Stone. Jazz Album of the Year, 1975 Down Beat
Readers Poll. Click
here
to visit our site for more information.
Mott The Hoople
The Hoople
The last in the triumvirate of Mott’s classic glitter rock albums, The Hoople
(1974) was the band’s third album release on CBS/Columbia Records, following the
classic All The Young Dudes and Mott LPs. The Hoople featured a refocused band
after the departure of Mick Ralphs (who left to join Bad Company) and the
arrival of Ariel Bender (aka Luther Grosvenor, from Spooky Tooth). Singer Ian
Hunter was now established as the undisputed band leader and his songwriting
progresses by leaps and bounds on this recording, providing a preview of what
would later become an outstanding solo career. This special expanded reissue of
The Hoople features 7 bonus tracks, including studio recordings with Mick Ronson
(who had replaced Bender on lead guitar), as well as the hits "Roll Away the
Stone" and "The Golden Age of Rock 'n' Roll." Click
here to visit
our site for more information.
The Isley Brothers
Showdown
This Top 10 Platinum smash, originally released in 1978 on The Isley Brothers'
own T-Neck label, has remained criminally out of print on CD in the U.S. … until
now! Boasting the 1 hit "Take Me To The Next Phase (Part 1 & 2)" and "Groove
With You," and classic, frequently sampled jams like "Coolin' Me Out" and the
title track, Showdown was the perfect follow-up to The Isley Brothers'
groundbreaking Go For You Guns album. The 3 + 3 lineup—combining the vocals of
the 3 elder brothers (Ronald, Rudolph and Kelly) with the writing and producing
skills of younger brothers Ernie and Marvin and brother-in-law Chris Jasper—was
on fire at this point, producing hit after hit while innovating constantly.
Perhaps their funkiest album, Showdown was built to rock the house, as Chris
Jasper explains in his detailed, all new liner notes. Click here to visit our site for more information.
The Isley Brothers
Go All The Way
The Isley Brothers kicked off their fourth decade with this Platinum, 1 album
originally issued in 1980. Previously unreleased on CD in the U.S., Go All The
Way is highlighted by 1 hit ballad "Don't Say Goodnight (It's Time For Love)"
and finds The Isley Brothers embracing new technology while fortifying their
proven strengths. Go All The Way features a half dozen extended fan favorites
and chart hits (including "Here We Go Again" and the title track) that have not
previously been heard in pristine digital sound. One of their most melodic
albums, all was not quite as harmonious behind the scenes for the 3 + 3 lineup
at this point, as revealed in former Isley Brothers songwriter/keyboardist Chris
Jasper's enlightening liner notes. Jasper rates Go All The Way as one of his
favorite Isley Brothers albums, and millions of Isley fans agree. Click here to visit our site for more information.
Laura Nyro
Nested
Originally released in 1978, Nested marked a departure from Laura Nyro’s acclaimed early work (“Wedding Bell Blues,†“Eli’s Comin’â€), with its lyrical focus on impending motherhood and a more organic sound. Across Nested’s 10 self-penned tracks, Nyro also reviews her up-and-down love life, rails against music business greed, and muses on the nature of the universe, backed by instrumental contributions from John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonful), Felix Cavaliere (The Rascals), Vinnie Cusano (KISS’s Vinnie Vincent), Tony Levin, and Andy Newmark, among others. Largely ignored or misunderstood upon initial release, Nested, Nyro’s eighth album, can now be heard as the fulcrum on which her early and later career pivoted.
Nested is ripe for reappraisal as one of Laura Nyro’s most personal, moving, and artistically successful projects.
The new CD reissue of Nested from Iconoclassic Records presents the definitive version of this important musical work. In addition to faithfully reproducing all the elements from the original LP (including lyrics), the Iconoclassic reissue adds an incisive new 1,200 word essay by Michelle Kort, author of the definitive Laura Nyro biography Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro. Additional photographs of Nyro by acclaimed fashion photographer Adger W. Cowans, who shot the original album cover, enrich the package. The CD is mastered by Grammy Award®-winning engineer Vic Anesini, making Nested a warm, inviting sonic experience befitting its lyrical theme. Click here to visit our site for more information.
Laura Nyro
Season of Lights...Laura Nyro in Concert
Originally conceived as a double live album, but released as a 10 song single LP
in 1977, the Iconoclassic Records reissue of Season of Lights…Laura Nyro in
Concert restores the set to its full 16 song length. The single LP version as
originally released contained a solo piano rendition of "Timer," whereas a full
band performance of that same song was slated for release on the double album
version. The Iconoclassic CD includes both the solo and full band versions.
One of the factors that makes this live release so compelling is the involvement
of jazz players (John Tropea, Richard Davis, and Mike Mainieri) that had
performed on Nyro's then-current studio album Smile. As incredible as Laura was when performing live solo with just her piano as accompaniment, this is the place to experience her interaction with a full live band.
Iconoclassic Records' deluxe CD reissue of Season of Lights...Laura Nyro in
Concert features signature tracks from her early period ("And When I Die,"
"Sweet Blindness," "Emmie," etc.) mixed with newer songs from Smile and
exclusive material like "The Morning News" which was never recorded in the
studio and appears only here. Over 75 minutes of music remastered by Grammy®
Award winner Vic Anesini. Includes a 16 page booklet with full lyrics and new
liner notes by Nyro biographer Michele Kort. Click here to visit our site for more information.
