my favourite reissues of 2025

„Anyone familiar only with the string-drenched, bucolic epics of Stars Of The Lid’s 21st-century work may be surprised by the Austin duo’s debut album, released on vinyl for the first time this year. A home-recorded set of guitar-based drones, „Music For Nitrous Oxide“ is as unsettling as it is meditative, laced with samples of Twin Peaks, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Apocalypse Now.“ (Jon Dale)

What a number of re-releases and archival discoveries, every year. The memory lane, buried treasures, lost classics, and more. Some of them were kind of enlightening, at least elevating for me. One was Tim Buckley‘s „Happy Sad“, I missed that one when i was young and, well, „happy sad“, so to speak. Awesome sound. Deep soul searching and passionate. Then, I still remember, in those 1970‘s in Würzburg, I was never into The Grateful Dead, with the tiny exception of „Blues For Allah“: that really hit me then and it hits me now with its vinyl reissue by Rhino. Haven‘t listened to it in decades, and it haunts me again. From all the great ECM reissues (from the „Luminessence series“), Paul Bley‘s „Open, to love“ is the standout, one of the early ECM solo piano strokes of genius. An album to always return to. The real re-discovery was Jan Garbarek blowing his horns in a way your walls may come down during the ride. On „Madar“ he‘s acompanied by Anouar Brahem and Shaukaut Hussain. What an absolute and audiophile delight, this release from 1992. Another burner for the happy few who ever came across ist, was the double vinyl reissue of David Sylvian‘s „Manafon Variations“: radical, sensual, deep-diving! Moving to my music in surround, 2025 was the year I finally fell in love with an album by Tangerine Dream, „Phaedra“. I‘m far away from calling Rod Stewart‘s „Atlantic Crossing“ a guilty pleasure, but I always preferred his ballads, and side two of that ancient album (now brought to the public in shining quad) is a series of irresistible ballads. Okay, we have all listened to „Sailing“ too often, but so what?! Steve Wilson‘s newest remixes of some early King Crimson works are killer – and a heavenly experience for surrounders: „In The Wake Of Poseidon“ and ther jazz-driven „Lizard“. In America one of the most heartbreaking break-up albums ever came out as a double vinyl, and I trust Norman Maslov that it sounds as great as ever. This album of love falling apart always meant more to me than the canonical – and great – „Tusk“ by Fleetwood Mac. Oh, oh, no reason to keep you waiting: i am speaking of The Jayhawks‘ „Rainy Day Music“! Looking out of the window, i am sure you‘ll find your own „rainy day music“, for all the good reasons! The Stars of the Lid’s debut may be a good choice here! I haven’t played it on air, my mistake. Did I forget some more for this list? Sure I did!