A reissue of Tales of Ephidrina has long been expected, and it's finally coming out for this year's Record Store Day. The LP edition will be in print for the first time since the album's release 30 years ago, which is exciting in itself; even more notable is the fact that this is the first expanded reissue in the band's catalogue. While we've been spoiled with a wealth of unreleased material in the From the Archives series, this is nevertheless very much overdue, with the group being one of an increasingly small number of major label acts not to be given the deluxe reissue treatment. The LP edition comes with a bonus 12" featuring four tracks, and the release is pleasingly accompanied by a CD reissue featuring the same tracks on the end. Both editions have been remastered by Matt Colton. The four bonus pieces are 'Mountain Path' - giving a recording date to this Environment Six track that has long been rumoured to be a 'Mountain Goat' alternate take - 'Static Field', as previously heard on one of the Touched Music nights, as well as an extended mix of 'Sky-Scraper' and an alt take of 'Swab'. All in all this is a wonderful release, and with it being the band's first album for Virgin, it does pose the question whether the rest of the Universal catalogue will see similar treatment, or maybe even a boxset release.
The FSOLDigital release this year is different to past years, but equally exciting in its own right: with the RSD blurb revealing that the initial CD release was limited to a staggeringly low 250 copies, hence ridiculous prices of £100+ on Discogs, it's great to know that Life in Moments will finally be getting a reissue. It's also an opportunity for vinyl fans to get this previously CD-only release. The LP edition features a single bonus track, 'Sonata Andantino' - aka the Schubert Violin Sonata first heard on a Touched Music night and initially planned for the Environment 7 trilogy - at the end of side A. To the best of my knowledge, a further expanded CD edition will follow in the vein of previous Record Store Day releases. The album cover is the same image as the Most Important Moments in a Life book, as opposed to the Dollis Hill station shot from the original CD.
Record Store Day is on 22nd April. Life in Moments is limited to 1,000 copies; no limitation is given for Tales.
