Before we get into the new and forthcoming releases, I want to address a couple inquiries that a lot of people have recently sent me, both on the band U.K. First, in the last newsletter was the following entry for a forthcoming Japanese mini:

U.K. - LIVE IN BOSTON (JPN LP SLEEVE) $32.95

Japanese limited edition issue in a deluxe, miniaturized LP sleeve.

A lot of people have inquired into what exactly this was as U.K. never had a release titled "Live in Boston" and their "Night After Night" live album was recorded in Japan. Some of you may recall, though, that in 1999 there was another live U.K. album that was put out on the Renaissance label that was titled "Concert Classics Volume 4." This was a live recording of the original quartet - Eddie Jobson, John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth - performing songs not only from their debut album, but also three songs - The Only Thing She Needs, Carrying No Cross and Caesars Palace Blues - that would later end up on Danger Money. The significance was that Bruford and Holdsworth departed the group before recording that album and so aren't on those tracks, but here were live recordings featuring them performing those songs! Sadly that album went out of print within a couple weeks of its release and became an instant collectors item. But it so happens it was recorded in Boston in 1978! My suspicion was that Live in Boston was this recording. I had my import distributor look into it to get some more information. They were able to confirm it as being on the Universal label from Japan with the following track listing:

01. ALASKA 02. TIME TO KILL 03. ONLY THING SHE NEEDS 04. CARRYING NO CROSS 05. THIRTY YEARS 06. PRESTO VIVACE - IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT 07.

CAESAR'S PALACE BLUES

And wouldn't you know it, that's the precise track listing for UK/Concert Classics Volume 4. Hopefully this will have a longer life in release than it's predecessor. As of this writing I have no information on a release outside of Japan. Anyone interested should definitely pre-order this title.

The other UK inquiries had to do with remasterings of their three albums - UK, Danger Money, Night After Night - being released in September. I can confirm that all three of these albums are being remastered. Mark Powell is involved in this project. Many progressive fans will recognize his name for his involvement in remasters of the catalogs of Caravan, Camel, Van der Graaf Generator, Peter Hammill, Steve Hillage, Nektar, Steve Hackett and many more as well as his involvement in the Eclectic Discs label and now Esoteric Recordings. These remasters not only have had great sonic quality, but have often had lots of great bonus tracks and extensive liner notes on artist histories in the booklets. In general fans of those artists have praised Mark's work. So his involvement in the UK catalog is welcome news.

However, someone at EMI jumped the gun in spreading word of a September release. Mark's wife, Vicky, informs me that work is not yet complete, so a September release would be impossible. My rep at Caroline looked into it and said a release in 2008 was more likely. So, excellent news on the remasters, but patience is required on these. It'll certainly be in the newsletter when a solid date is available.