Black Story, Universal Music Recordings’ initiative spotlighting the artists, scenes, and communities that shaped Black music in the U.K., is returning for 2024. This year’s release slate includes titles from Neneh Cherry, Gabrielle, Big Youth, Rizzle Kicks, the Joe Harriot Quintet, and more.
Neneh Cherry’s 1992 genre-jumbling sophomore album Homebrew is coming back to vinyl for the first time since its initial release. The album features the Michael Stipe duet “Trout,” a hit on U.S. alternative radio, as well as “Somedays,” co-written and co-produced by Portishead’s Geoff Barrow, and “Move With Me,” also known from the soundtrack to the Sharon Stone film Sliver. Other highlights on the tracklist include the international hits “Money Love” and “Buddy X.” Praised by AllMusic Guide as “magnificent and risk-taking,” it’s a pillar in the Swedish-born, U.K.-based artist’s catalog.
R&B singer Gabrielle’s debut LP Find Your Way is also coming back to vinyl in the U.K. for the first time since its 1993 release. The album features a quartet of U.K. Top 40 singles including the No. 1 hit “‘Dreams,” which first emerged as an underground club hit and eventually made its way to Paul Thomas Anderson’s movie Magnolia. The Find Your Way reissue will be available in a 140g 1LP package worldwide.
Reggae toaster Big Youth’s Dread Locks Dread, first released in 1975, became a key release for Front Line label when reissued in 1978. The dubby masterpiece held a massive influence over the punk and new wave artists of the time, with supporters including Front Line founder John Lydon (of Public Image Limited and the Sex Pistols) and The Clash. The groundbreaking, socially conscious release finds Big Youth backed by the Skin, Flesh & Bones band, featuring a stellar lineup including bassist Sly Dunbar before he began working with Robbie Shakespeare as Sly & Robbie. Remastered at Abbey Road in London, Dread Locks Dread is coming back into the print for the first time in over 20 years.
Hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks’ sophomore swan song Roaring 20s, first released in 2013, will be reissued on colored vinyl for its 11th anniversary. The Gold-certified album features production from Rizzle Kicks’ longtime collaborators Ant Whiting and Norman Cook, AKA Fatboy Slim, as well as Jamie Cullum. It includes the U.K. Top 10 single “Lost Generation” and a Top 20 hit in “Skip to the Good Bit.”
The Joe Harriot Quintet’s Movement will also be reissued as part of Black Story, marking the album’s first time in print since its original 1964 release. Movement is coveted by collectors, with original copies going for more than £1,000. A highlight in the Jamaican/British jazz saxophonist’s catalog, it was released as part of the Lansdowne Series, overseen by the pioneering U.K. independent record producer Denis Preston. It represents a giant step forward in terms of freeform expression within jazz. The new edition of Movement was remastered using high definition 24bit/192kHz audio files copied directly from the original stereo analogue master tapes, marking the first time the stereo version of the album will be available on vinyl. The package includes liner notes from author, compiler, and documentary maker Tony Higgins.
Check out all the Black Story releases here.