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Ultravox / Lament on SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio

#24 in the SDE Surround Series

By Paul Sinclair

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171

40th anniversary blu-ray audio • Quick pre-order link

Ultravox’s 1984 studio album Lament is being reissued for its 40th anniversary in September and amongst the formats is an SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio with a Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos Mix (and other content) and will be available exclusively from SDE, via theSDEshop.com.

Lament was the band’s seventh album and the fourth with Midge Ure on vocals. After the George Martin polish of Quartet, the band produced Lament themselves reclaiming their new wave sound, with songs like ‘Heart of the Country’ and the title track. The album includes the UK top 10 hit ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’ and Lament and One Small Day were both top 30 singles in Britain.

‘Heart of the Country’ from Lament

The new SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio features the following audio streams of the album

  • Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos Mix
  • Steven Wilson 5.1 Mix (96/24)
  • Steven Wilson Stereo Mix (96/24)
  • 1984 Original Stereo Mix (96/24)

Additionally the blu-ray features three non-album B-sides (and an A-side!) in all four audio streams listed above. They are:

  • Easterly (B-side to ‘One Small Day’)
  • Building (B-side to ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’)
  • Love’s Great Adventure (single from Oct 84)

Finally, the blu-ray includes four bonus 1980s style extended remixes (in 96/24 stereo, only) created by Steven Wilson, for the RSD vinyl release in April. Two of these are in a 7CD+DVD box set – which is being released at the same time –  but two are not (denoted by *).

  1. White China [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]* 7.49
  2. Man of Two Worlds [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]* 8.49
  3. When The Time Comes [StevenWilson 12” Re-Mix] 7.16
  4. A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 8.11
The Lament blu-ray features Steven Wilson Atmos, 5.1 and stereo mixes

This Ultravox Lament SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio is #24 in the ongoing SDE Surround Series and will be packaged in the ‘High Fidelity Pure Audio’ amaray and ships with a free, collectible SDE Surround Series slipcase.

Other formats being reissued are a 7CD+DVD box set which pulls together a newly remastered version of the album, all the single versions, B-sides, 12-inch remixes and rarities, along with 45 previously unreleased tracks, including a brand new 1980s style extended remix of every track on the album by Moby, Steve Wilson and Blank & Jones and Midge Ure, a newly mixed full concert from Hammersmith Odeon 1984, a handful of work in progress mixes and Steven Wilson’s 5.1 mix on the DVD.

A 34-track 5LP clear vinyl box set pulls together the newly remastered version of the album, the 1980s style extended remix album (across two LPs) and the newly mixed full concert from Hammersmith Odeon 1984.

Both box sets are also available on the SDE shop alongside the exclusive blu-ray audio.

Lament will be released on 6 September 2024, via Chrysalis.

The blu-ray is a limited edition and the pre-order window will close in 10 days on 6 July 2024. Secure your copy now to avoid disappointment.

Order the blu-ray and/or other editions via the SDE shop using this link or the buttons below. Having to shop in your local currency on the SDE shop has been turned off for this announcement/campaign as a trial, in response to customer feedback.

The 7CD+DVD box is beautifully packaged with spot varnishing throughout (click image to enlarge)

Tracklisting

Lament Ultravox / SDE exclusive blu-ray audio

    • Steven Wilson Dolby Atmos, Steven Wilson 5.1 Surround (96/24), Steven Wilson Stereo Mix (96/24) and Original 1984 stereo mix (96/24)
      1. White China
      2. One Small Day
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
      4. Lament
      5. Man of Two Worlds
      6. Heart of The Country
      7. When The Time Comes
      8. A Friend I Call Desire
      Extra tracks
      1. Easterly
      2. Building
      3. Love’s Great Adventure
      Bonus Audio (Steven Wilson 96/24 stereo only)
      1. White China [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 7.49
      2. Man of Two Worlds [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 8.49
      3. When The Time Comes [StevenWilson 12” Re-Mix] 7.16
      4. A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 8.11

Tracklisting

Lament Ultravox / 7CD+DVD box set

    • CD 1: Lament 1984 Analog Master
      1. White China
      2. One Small Day
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
      4. Lament
      5. Man of Two Worlds
      6. Heart of The Country
      7. When The Time Comes
      8. A Friend I Call Desire
    • CD 2: Lament Steven Wilson Stereo Mix
      1. White China
      2. One Small Day
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
      4. Lament
      5. Man of Two Worlds
      6. Heart of The Country
      7. When The Time Comes
      8. A Friend I Call Desire
      9. Easterly
      10. Building
      11. Love’s Great Adventure
    • CD 3: Lament Extended Remix Album
      1. White China [Extended Re-Mix] 9.02
      2. One Small Day [Extended Re-Mix] 8.46
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Blank & Jones so8os Reconstruction] 6.00
      4. Lament [Moby Remix] 4.26
      5. Man of Two Worlds [Extended Re-Mix] 8.05
      6. Heart of The Country [Extended Re-Mix] 8.14
      7. When The Time Comes [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 7.20
      8. A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 8.12
    • CD 4: Single Mixes/B-sides/Rarities
      1. One Small Day [U.S. Single Edit] 4.39
      2. Easterly 3.48
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Single Version] 4.10
      4. Building 3.11
      5. One Small Day [U.S. Club Version] 7.44
      6. Lament [Single Version] 4.18
      7. Heart of The Country [Instrumental] 4.26
      8. Love’s Great Adventure 3.06
      9. White China [Live at Hammersmith Odeon June 1984] 3.46
      10. Man of Two Worlds [Instrumental] 4.31
      11. White China [Rough Mix, Sep ’83]* 3.51
      12. Lament [Backing Track, Sep ’83]* 5.18
      13. Man of Two Worlds [Monitor Mix, Aug ’83]* 4.45
      14. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Piano Version]* 3.20
      15. Love’s Great Adventure [Work In Progress]* 3.09
      16. Threads [Version 1] 1.04
      17. Threads [Version 2: Love’s Great Adventure Theme] 1.11
      18. Rivets 0.57
    • CD 5: Lament – The 1984 Extended Remixes
      1. One Small Day [Special Re-Mix]
      2. One Small Day [Special Extra Re-Mix Extra]
      3. White China [Special Re-Mix]
      4. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Special Re-Mix]
      5. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Extended]
      6. Lament [Extended Version]
      7. Heart of The Country [Unedited Special Re-Mix]*
      8. Love’s Great Adventure [Extended Version]
      9. One Small Day [Final Mix]
    • CD 6: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984 [Pt.I]
      1. Man of Two Worlds*
      2. Passing Strangers*
      3. We Stand Alone*
      4. New Europeans*
      5. I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)*
      6. Visions In Blue*
      7. Heart of The Country*
      8. Western Promise*
      9. Vienna*
    • CD 7: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984 [Pt.II]
      1. Reap The Wild Wind*
      2. We Came to Dance*
      3. White China*
      4. One Small Day*
      5. Hymn*
      6. The Voice*
      7. Lament*
      8. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes*
      9. All Stood Still*
    • DVD (Audio only)

      Lament/B-sides: Steven Wilson Mixes

      1. DTS 24/96 5.1 Surround Mix
      2. DOLBY AC3 5.1 Surround Mix
      3. 24/96 LPCM Stereo

      Lament/B-Sides

      1. Original 1984 Mixes: 24/96 LPCM Stereo Mix.

       

Tracklisting

Lament Ultravox / 5LP box set

    • LP 1: Lament 1984 Analog Master
      1. White China
      2. One Small Day
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes
      4. Lament
      5. Man of Two Worlds
      6. Heart of The Country
      7. When The Time Comes
      8. A Friend I Call Desire
    • LP 2: LAMENT [Extended Album Re-Mix] Pt.I:
      1. White China [Extended Re-Mix]
      2. One Small Day [Extended Re-Mix]
      3. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes [Blank & Jones so8os
        Reconstruction]
      4. Lament [Moby Remix]
    • LP 2: LAMENT [Extended Album Re-Mix] Pt.II:
      1. Man of Two Worlds [Extended Re-Mix]
      2. Heart of The Country [Extended Re-Mix]
      3. When The Time Comes [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]
      4. A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]
    • LP 4: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984 [Pt.I]
      1. Man of Two Worlds*
      2. Passing Strangers*
      3. We Stand Alone*
      4. New Europeans*
      5. I Remember (Death In The Afternoon)*
      6. Visions In Blue*
      7. Heart of The Country*
      8. Western Promise*
      9. Vienna*
    • LP 5: SET MOVEMENTS: Hammersmith 1984 [Pt.II]
      1. Reap The Wild Wind*
      2. We Came to Dance*
      3. White China*
      4. One Small Day*
      5. Hymn*
      6. The Voice*
      7. Lament*
      8. Dancing With Tears In My Eyes*
      9. All Stood Still*

1 Tears For Fears / The Tipping Point

2 xPropaganda / The Heart is Strange

3 Gilbert O’Sullivan / Driven

4 Shakespears Sister / Hormonally Yours

5 Brian Eno / ForeverAndEverNoMore

6. Orbital / Optical Delusion

6.5 Various Artists / Concert For George

7 Ten Years After / A Space in Time

8 Bob Dylan / Time Out Of Mind (2022 Remix)

9 Tears For Fears / The Hurting

10 Mike Oldfield / Tubular Bells

11 Suede

12 ABC / The Lexicon of Love

13 Duran Duran / Danse Macabre

14 Trevor Horn / Echoes – Ancient and Modern

15 Soft Cell / Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret

16 Def Leppard / Diamond Star Halos

17 Paul Young / No Parlez

18 Mark Knopfler / One Deep River

19 Wham! / Fantastic

20 Wham! / Make It Big

21 Keane / Hopes and Fears

22 Luther Vandross / Never Too Much

23 Crowded House / Gravity Stairs

24 Ultravox / Lament

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171 Comments

171 thoughts on “Ultravox / Lament on SDE-exclusive blu-ray audio”

  1. Just received my bundle. According to the OBI strip the box set contains “12” Re-Mxes”… should we try to buy the record company an “i”? ;-)
    Apart from that it’s really a great release, it looks really classy. Looking forward to listening to all the content.

  2. My copy of the SDE arrived a couple of days and I have to say the stereo mix sounds incredible. I’ll give the Atmos mix a spin eventually but really impressed with the sound quality of the aforementioned stereo mix. In fact, this has been the case across the board with all the SDE releases. In short, even if you don’t have an Atmos setup at home, the stereo mix on the SDE is well worth it!

  3. Haven’t received my Ultravox blu-ray just yet since I added a couple of extra items from the SDE shop. Had to listen to the Dolby Atmos mix via Tidal and it doesn’t disappoint. All four Ultravox surround mixes have been enjoyable to listen to, I put it down to the mix of guitars and synths is easier to distinguish on the ears. Hopefully, it will continue with U-Vox.
    Mentioning streaming sites, Tidal introduced a section for new releases / re-releases of Dolby Atmos mixes. It’s also broken down in to genres which is also helpful since unfortunately, not all Dolby Atmos mixes have been released on blu-ray. The annoying thing is not every new release has been added so there are Dolby Atmos mixes of albums hidden away on the site. A few from this year include Elbow, The Black Keys, Declan Mckenna and Everything, Everything.
    Looks like there’s a lot more choices for an SDE release for you, Paul, this year.

    1. Same on Apple Music. I found an app that gives an update when a song or album in my collection has been “upgraded to spatial audio” but I wish I could just browse Atmos-only through my collection. Oh well.

      More OT: the Atmos mix for Lament sounds amazing. I’d forgotten just how good this album is. Can’t wait for the set and bluray to be delivered to hear the b-sides and Love’s Great Adventure…

  4. My copy of the CD/DVD & Bluray just arrived – thank you Paul! – and I have to say – it looks amazing! (Very, very dark!!) Worth every penny – the best looking so far. Putting the Vienna Deluxe box set (all white) next to this one (all black!) shows how far Ultravox have come by this stage. Now off for a listen.

    And WHOA! – the Stephen Wilson 12″ Remixes are amazing in Surround sound! Two are only on the Bluray, of course – but is worth buying for them alone. The rest I expected to be good – and it is! – but those really pushed my speakers.

  5. my blu ray arrived today blu ray and case look great cant wait to give it a listen but really disappointed that the classic outer slipcover was posted outside the shrinkwrap and has a crease smack bang in center of the front of it where it sticks out a mile

    1. Sorry Paul. I’m sure we can sort you a replacement if it’s particularly bad. The reason the slipcases are not on the blu-rays is because that is exactly how they do get creased (packing staff trying to do the job quickly). So that’s why I’m surprised to hear there’s any crease at all.

  6. Ordered, obviously. I have loved Ultravox since Vienna and their tour for it, although I worked backwards and quickly settled upon Systems of Romance as one of my favorite albums on earth. While Lament was well off peak for me – I got off the train before Station U-Vox – I have been looking forward to the remix by Steven Wilson and am quite excited to hear his 1980s-style extended versions. For the physical digital release of those RSD mixes alone, this blu-ray is a necessary purchase, but it is lovely indeed to have any of those first seven albums in this format, even if I am only interested in the (96-24 unsquashed) stereo audio. Knowing how wonderful the other blu-ray editions in the SDE series have been – The Hurting has been in my player for two days now as it continues to reveal its splendors – we can be assured that this will be a good one.

    This is another reason to be happy to be an Ultravox fan. The reissue program has had something for all of us, and the Black Friday RSD double CD and LP issues with instrumental mixes have been a great way to get Steven Wilson’s remixes without massive cash outlay or unsustainable shelf bloat, with the alternative covers a special bonus. The new mixes have put the albums into a larger context, and Quartet had a welcome hint of “what would Conny Plank have done” about it, getting closer to the idealized band in a room sound of the three albums before it. (Why was it that that two groups on Chrysalis with names beginning with U both turned to George Martin within a few years of each other and left their classic sound behind?)

    Beyond these, however, lies the tantalizing possibility that Steven Wilson could create more extended remixes in the early 1980s style, the kinds of mixes that transformed songs like Uncertain Smile by The The or Wishing by A Flock of Seagulls into worlds on the dancefloor. Imagine if Sleepwalk or, going back to the John Foxx era, The Man Who Dies Every Day, got this treatment. Perhaps Ure & Karn’s After a Fashion, or John Foxx’s No-One Driving, a song I think of often as I see the driverless cars haunting our streets. Or leaving Ultravox, maybe Japan’s Gentlemen Take Polaroids, which could go on another ten minutes without losing my attention. (No-Man and most of Japan went on for more than 20 minutes on Heaven Taste, which still ended too soon.) What about an epic remix of The Way You Are, of which I have always wished Tears For Fears had given us more than just seven minutes. NOW That’s More Like What I Call an Extended Remix, anyone? NOW That’s What I Call an SDE blu-ray Instapurchase.

  7. love the track “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” : it was the only song i knew from this group in the 80’s (in France) , and didn’t know they were named Ultravox.

    So this release will be a very good way to discover the whole album !

    Thank you Paul, and thanks to have enabled the GB currency : really appreciate this !

  8. Why isn’t Monument cd and/or DVD on the blu-ray as bonus? Now it has been skipped. I think there will be enough space on the blu-ray.

    2. The track Monument is on the Quartet box, also mixed in 5.1. They released the concert on dvd a couple of years back, I’m thinking they don’t see it as a full album (with only 1 new track, understandably so) so they’ll pass it over. Same with Love’s Great Adventure, which is featured on this box set.

  9. Briljant ! Thanks Paul !
    A suggestion for SDE #25 could be Billie Eilish – Hit me Hard and Soft.
    Maybe we can start a survey among the SDE community and tell us all which album you like to hear and see in Dolby Atmos on Blu-ray ?!

    1. Not sure the majority of SDE readers would go for Eilish although a survey isn’t a bad idea. But it’s all about licencing or whether Paul can swing a deal with the record companies so a survey could be a moot point.

        1. Previous sets in this series didn’t include an obi either. And they didn’t have 8 discs. And there weren’t 2LP packages with only 2 sides of music (what were they thinking?). Things change, and having an Atmos blu-ray in the box would be a good change.

          OTOH, if Ultravox wants to work with Paul to add Vienna, Rage In Eden, and Quartet blu-rays to the SDE Surround Series, I will be there with money in hand! Digitally, of course.

          I’m actually very happy with the continuity they’re maintaining over time with these 40th anniversary campaigns (hopefully it extends to getting a Lament SW mix/instrumentals 2LP set for record store day this year!).

    3. Then people would be complaining about it being box-locked. What about those who like Atmos mixes but don’t need all the edits, extended versions, demos, and outtakes present in boxed sets?

      The discs in the SDE series are not general releases but mostly limited to SDE readers and subscribers in limited quantities. The absence of 2 exclusive SW mixes in the boxed set maintains their wider exclusivity to the purchasers of the RSD vinyl. I think it is a treat and godsend for digital buyers to get all 4 SW mixes on the SDE Blu-ray. And it gives incentive for people to get the SDE Blu-ray and keep SDE going as a purveyor of Atmos mixes on Blu-ray. I am so looking forward to these releases.

    4. Wikipedia are mistakenly saying it does include a blu but obviously the box set contains a DVD minus the two exclusive remixes detailed above on the SDE blu.

  11. A question re Dolby Atmos, how effective are soundbars that are Dolby Atmos?? I am looking at a Bose Smart Soundbar 600, are they as good as an old type surround sound system with woofer and rear speakers etc?

    1. In general, soundbars are not ideal for music reproduction given their lack of stereo separation; even the best rated soundbars are only four feet wide or less. However, most employ a bit of digital trickery to provide the impression of a wider soundstage, with varying results. With regards to reproducing Dolby Atmos height effects, soundbars have two options: upward firing speakers or psychoacoustics. While dedicated vertical speakers are vastly superior for spatial sound, even they have limitations within soundbars. And without rear speakers and a subwoofer, your surround sound experience will be limited using a soundbar alone. I purchased the Bose 600 on sale for USD $399 about a year ago and I’d say that’s what it’s worth – does sounds ‘bigger’ than its small dimensions but only generates a hint of Atmos. Bottom line: soundbars are more about convenience than quality, and generally geared toward movies versus music.

      1. Thank you very much for the feedback and information, I think the last sentence summed it up well, convenience over quality. You can’t seem to buy a surround sound system anywhere, that includes Blu-Ray player/DVD Player and all the speakers.

        1. You used to be able to get “5.1 in a box” systems but they were not particularly great. I think most people with 5.1 or Atmos systems have bought them as separates which gets expensive fast.

          I agree with Shelf though I should state I have never had or heard a Soundbar, but have had a 5.1, 7.1, 7.1+2 (upper fronts), and now have a 7.1+4 system and I can’t believe that a Soundbar can effectively create the immersive experience of 6 (i.e., 5.1) or 12 (i.e., full Atmos) speakers. I am sure a soundbar will increase the feeling of presence of multichannel music, increase the sound field in the front, and maybe achieve some effects by bouncing off walls and ceiling. My system evolved over time and each step was an improvement. Now, I am slowly upgrading my speakers and will hopefully one day upgrade my amplification. It’s not cheap and that’s why it has taken me 20 years to go from 5.1 to full Atmos.

    1. As all Atmos mixes are. It is a requirement that they are full dynamic range and as it is an object based format, it will sound just fine and dandy on a 2 or 2.1 system

  14. I mentioned on the Quartet thread that having missed out on the Vienna 4 lp clear vinyl set and with it going for silly money on eBay and discogs I preordered Rage in Eden (and Quartet) on that format ASAP only to discover that they’re both still easily available online at the original price ! On RSD last Nov I was looking online for the Steve Wilson stereo/ instrumental sets when I noticed the official store
    had everything reduced as it was Black Friday so given that it still had all the original 3 formats (CD/DVD, 4 lp clear vinyl and half speed master) of.the first 3 SDE’s (apart from the Vienna clear vinyl) I decided I’d save a few quid on the Lament sets by waiting till Black Friday this year in case the sale was repeated. However I noticed the official store mentioned that the Lament sets are limited editions worldwide (CD/DVD 5,000, clear vinyl 2,500 and hair speed 3,000), something not mentioned for the previous sets so I’ve decided to preorder the CD/DVD, clear vinyl and Blu ray (cheers Paul) sets. Still can’t believe One small day wasn’t the huge hit it deserved to be….

  15. Always loved LAMENT. But, why do deluxe releases like this take half a lifetime to anticipate for ? Waiting 40 years is pretty sad. I bought the bundle from SDE; I skipped the Steve Wilson 12″ remixes simply because my turntable got retired around Y2K and the fancy Bluray makes me feel a little less old. Hopefully Ultravox BRILLIANT’s 40th anniversary deluxe box set will be released in 2052, with 32 additional Blank&Jones remixes of the title track spread across 23 single-side etched 7” singles delivered straight to my graveyard, …

    1. It usually takes an advocate within or outside to get labels to do a series like this. And not all bands or albums are so revered 20, 30, or 40 years later.

      In the case of the Ure era Ultravox albums, there had been cassette + vinyl when released, then came the CD, a CD with bonus tracks, 2CD, and a 2CD with deluxe packaging. Presumably sales were good enough and someone (I am thinking Simon Muselle at Chrysalis) pushed this idea after finding additional unreleased material, and getting Steven Wilson on board added a lot of credibility to the remastering and multichannel mastering. So the promise of such a series grew to the point of an exec pulling the trigger. One can tell that a lot of work goes into these sets in terms of research, finding source material, design, etc.

      They have been superb and the Lament box looks like it will be even better. And the SDE Blu-ray is the cherry on top of the cream on a very good cake, IMO. Thank you Chrysalis and Simon.

      While I don’t need or necessarily expect a similar set for U-Vox, I hope that Vienna, Rage in Eden, and Quartet also get the SDE Blu-ray treatment, and somewhere, somehow, that the masters for The Voice and I Remember (Death in the Afternoon) are found or turn up so that the Steven Wilson mixes of the Rage in Eden album can be restored to its full original content in stereo, 5.1 and (pretty please) Atmos.

      1. I’m kind of hoping for a similar set for U-Vox actually. Can’t wait to hear what mr. Wilson can do with it…

        (And Dream On in 5.1 or Atmos alone would be worth it…)

        1. Hi Bram. I heartily agree. Surely they must/ have to complete this superb series with a U-Vox Deluxe Edition. In the meantime I look forward to Lament to arrive in eleven days time.

  16. Paul – would you please confirm if the Blu-ray will includes both the DTS and Dolby encoding of Wilson’s 5.1 mix? (like the box set DVD)

    Also, I’ll add my vote for Steven Wilson to produce Dolby Atmos mixes of Japan’s “Gentleman Take Polaroids” and “Tin Drum” (with associated singles, b sides, alternate versions, etc) – been 20 years since the last remastered reissues, so new editions are definitely due.

  17. I understand that if you dont have a dolby atmos mixer it will fold down to 5.1. What happens if you have a dolby atmos mixer but you only have 5 speakers plus a subwoofer? Does this mean some of the mix is lost because it is trying to go to spekers which don’t exist? I know the Ultravox disc has a seperate 5.1 mix but not all have this ofcourse.
    Hopefully someone can help.

    1. Five speakers plus a subwoofer is 5.1.. ? Not sure what this question is about since the disc has both a Dolby Atmos Mix and a dedicated 5.1 mix. If you only have 5.1 setup (as you have) then you’d play the 5.1 mix.

  18. I just have a wee question about the 2x LP, vs the LP box vs the CD box:

    CD Box Format:
    12″ sized Box Set with 20 page booklet, featuring an 8,000 word interview conducted by John Earls (Classic Pop), a reproduction tour program and previously unseen photographs

    LP Box Format:
    6-panel roll fold insert inside a rigid slipcase.

    2xLP:
    ¾ Length slipcase and 4-panel insert.

    Are we in fact getting more content in booklet form in the CD box than the LP box?
    The CD box has a 12″ size slip case with the 20 page booklet (also appearing to be of 12″ size) along with the inserts to hold the discs.
    The LP box has a six panel 12″ sized fold out.
    Yes, there is more content in the CD box (along with the DVD) so the additional pages are no doubt being used to accommodate the extra info/credits for the additional material. I’m wondering if the tour programme, photos and John Earls essay are also included in the LP box?
    Obviously the 2xLP just contains the original album so the four panel insert suffices.

  19. I’m surprised there hasn’t been more discussion on the 2 LP version including 2 sides of etching! So much material could have been used for the 2nd LP, incl the bonus LP on the original release. Pure greed?

  21. This does look amazing. Great way to celebrate Chris also.
    I’m know there’s a million suggestions for projects on here, but to me it’s just bizarre that Scritti Politti’s amazing “Cupid & Psyche ’85” has not even ever had the most basic of remastering. High time for a remaster with b-sides and extendeds.

    1. Amen to “Cupid & Psyche”, Andy. Another college-era album that is woefully in need of some remastering love. But next year is the 40th anniversary. Maybe Green will get something together?… Fingers crossed…

  22. My favourite Ultravox album – not a duff track on it IMHO, and having the other boxes I’ve ordered the CD bundle plus blu ray. A great ending to a good week…

  23. Speaking of alternate formats. Came across Auro-3D when I purchased Boris Blank’s Resonance. Current setup is a 5.1.2 system and Atmos for me is hit and miss so I listen to the 5.1 or the Atmos folded down. When I listened to the Resonance Auro-3D option (also folded down given my system) my ears pricked up and I enjoyed it more over the Atmos fold down.

  24. This is absolutely not intended as a criticism, I realize most folks here have good Atmos setups, but is any consideration ever given to including Atmos headphone (i.e. binaural) mixes? It seems to be a standard plug-in in most pro Atmos rendering setups and since it’s mixed down to 2 channel, wouldn’t be a space hog. That way people like myself who can’t afford full surround or (again like me) who couldn’t have a surround setup because they’ve got half a dozen neighboring apartments that are easily disturbed, could still get the Atmos experience. I already use my WH1000XM5 headphones in wired mode hooked up to my DAC to get the most out of stuff I’ve bought that’s 24/96 and 24/192, and I’m guessing the Atmos binaural mode would boil down to the same bandwidth requirements as these (i.e. wireless is not an option but it’s within the limitations of a USB DAC) since all the cleverness is done by the Atmos rendering process, not dynamically like a “real” Atmos setup.

  25. If you have a moment Paul….how about….

    Any of the last three Japan albums – Quiet Life, Gentlemen take Polaroids and Tin Drum. Although GtP is probably the superior album of the three I think Quiet Life is a wonderful album that deserved better than the pile of tosh it got from the SDE released in 2021. The album plus associated non-album singles (Life in Tokyo, European Son etc.)

    Mike Oldfield – Tubular Bells II. Again, dwarfed by it’s elder and better known sibling but it is a much more cohesive album than the original. Given 50 minutes to live and having to pick between the pair of them, II would sneak it and I think it would sound terrific in Atmos. Plus…. It’s Trevor Horn and we’ve already had Lexicon.

    Talking of Trevor Horn, Given that many here would “welcome” Welcome to the Pleasuredome. I would rather have the “best of”, rather than the bloated mess that is WttP. There are only 9 or 10 tracks or so that make the grade but what a 9 or 10 tracks they are. And given the space on a Blu-Ray it would be wonderful to have the 12″ ers, single versions and album versions. 13 minutes of the title track or, and this would be immense Rage Hard – The young person’s guide to the 12″ in full Dolby Atmos. It’s a disgrace that most of these tracks languish in HD with only a couple of Atmos mixes available.

    Not even going to mention Hounds of Love or, even better, The Dreaming….. Got more chance of winning the Euromillions.

    Wouldn’t have thought for a second that we would have Make it Big, so there is room for (The) dreaming.

    1. I would love a TBII but Oldfield himself has said that the tapes from his Warner Music era, which includes TBII, have been lost. A release is unlikely for now. He did do a 5.1 mix for Amarok years back but it still has not seen release (seems since he retired, the rereleases have stopped). I have bugged Paul about releasing Amarok already.

    2. FYI: Welcome to the Pleasuredome is out later in October (40th anniversary) and Steven Wilson has already said he’s his usual ATMOS work on this release.
      As you suggest though, we can dream we’d get ATMOS of those amazing 12″ mixes from ZTT in 1984/85

      I’m still hoping for a Slave to the Rhythm deluxe, an ATMOS Blu-Ray would be a dream. Considering it was one of the most expensive albums to make and Trevor considers it one of his best, it’s amazing it’s never really had a proper re-release in 39 years.

  26. Bundle ordered. Unedited Heart of the Country remix caught my eye. Any more info?

    Ooh, something else caught my eye just now. I have a photo:

  27. While I, and I’m sure I’m not alone in saying this, would rather have had (preferably) Rage In Eden or Vienna, to have any Ultravox material in atmos sound is a big YES! I thought we would have definitely had a 40th anniversary release for either Dare!, New Gold Dream, or Tin Drum. But there are so many bands who don’t seem to have an interest in celebrating such milestones in their careers. Luckily Ultravox isn’t one of them.

    Keep the good stuff coming Paul.

    2. There was a BRD of New Gold Dream a few years ago.
      Also Sparkle in The Rain and Once Upon A Time.
      Street Fighting Years had a box, but no BRD.

    3. With Steven Wilson having remixed/remastered all 4 Ure-era Ultravox albums for their 40th anniversary reissues, and now the label releasing the Atmos mix at the same time as the boxed set, it makes me think that there are likely Atmos mixes of Vienna through Quartet on Wilson’s and Chrysalis’s harddrives ready for release. So I hope that we will see them dribble out through SDE over the next year or so. BUT I’d like to see TFF’s TSOL come sooner.

      I don’t care for very much of what Apple is putting out on Atmos on their streaming and if I like something always try to get a Blu-ray if available because it sounds so much better on disc (because Blu-ray’s put out 20-30 times the amount of data as streaming).

  28. I’ve been looking out for this for some time now. And then you give me two options!
    I have the 3 other box sets, but it’s the 5.1 that gets out of the packaging the most, so I was tempted to go for the blu-ray alone, but who doesn’t like an 80s style remix?
    In the end I “had” to bite the bullet and get all the round shiny things.

    Thank you Paul for this opportunity. One question: is it possible to change the posting address from my home to my work?

  29. After the Crowded House SDE release, I was left with nothing on pre-order, fortunately that has changed with this release but wouldn’t mind having a couple of more SDE exclusives on pre-order. We know we can suddenly be hit with two or three titles in quick succession.
    As Chrysalis have opened the doors to their vaults with rumours of a Spandau Ballet Atmos Mix on the table, I wouldn’t mind hearing a 45th anniversary of The Specials debut album in Dolby Atmos.

  30. What a fantastic week for releases this has been , first A Ha, then Soft Cell and now this. What will the record companies spoil us with next I wonder, a golden age of releases indeed.

    1. And Thomas Dolby has just released a new expanded The Flat Earth on digital only. I really hope this gets a physical release of some sort, preferably vinyl. Physical deluxe editions of Mr Dolby’s back catalogue are long overdue.

      2. To be fair, the 2009 deluxe editions of Flat/Wireless ablums were very good, that’s essentially all that’s now gone online. So I don’t think we’ll see anything soon as Dolby is on tour and I’d expected it to have been at the same time if it had happened.

        1. As good as that CD/DVD edition of The Golden Age Of Wireless is, there isn’t one 12″ version on it. They did manage to cram a lot onto the one CD but there still wasn’t room for all of the extra tracks, a couple of them were download only.

  32. Looks pretty exhaustive! Don’t know how I feel about the contemporary remixes, etc, but I guess it’s better to have them than to not. Personally, I’d like to see a video/audio upgrade of the stunning live Monument video, preferably with any additional footage that might still exist.

  33. Interesting…I have to admit I never owned an Ultravox record before, not a fan from back in the day, nothing, but I’ve always liked em, saw Midge play a co-headlining gig with Paul Young, quite enjoyable, but was never convinced to buy any of the deluxe reissues… UNTIL this SDE BRA cuz I buy the series…and that boxset looks cool too, dig the charcoal patterned artwork, Steven Wilson involvement…sooo here’s my decision…I’m going to preorder the BluRay by July 6 & I preordered the CD/BR boxset on Amazon cuz I’m a Prime member & I won’t have to pay the price for it till September…but this might be the key to buy the Ultravox catalogue…

  34. Thanks Paul for bringing this one to us, loved Ultravox when I was a teen with the Vienna album being my first ever LP purchase. I still remember going to the record store in the village I lived in to buy it and being excited. Still have that album too, though I upgraded to the box set a few years ago. Ordered the 7cd box set and the 5.1 blu Ray. Thank goodness I’m paid tomorrow. Can’t wait to give this a listen.

    1. Ultravox also filmed the video for One Small Day there as well. My only gripe with this campaign is that the videos haven’t been included especially as Midge and Chris directed the majority of them.
      Hoping for an 4K upgrade of ‘Dancing with tears in my eyes’, still remember seeing the video on TOTPs and being only 11 years old it scaring me.

  36. I’m a huge fan so an instant order bundle cd+blu-ray. Had but lost original Lp with special all black sleeve. One small day video one of my favourites, although not included, and was so different a song to anything previous a bit like ABC That was then after Lexicon of Love for me.

  37. Definitely their greatest album. I was hooked on it from the first listen, and still am. Heart of the Country (if any track on Lament deserves an instrumental version its this one), Lament, and When The Time Comes were huge hits in my house way back when.
    Very interested to hear what Moby does with it. His new album, Always Centered At Night, is the surprise release of the year for me. An absolute return to form.

  38. Ordered the blu-ray! Not that familiar with the band, but most of Steven Wilson’s mixes are good and Atmos can elevate all music to greatness. And supporting albums from the 80’s might eventually lead to other releases (Pet Shop Boys, Talk Talk etc)

    1. Ooooooh Talk Talk! I’ll have that entire catalog in Dolby Atmos please!!
      I read somewhere that Mark Hollis stated (or even made arrangements) that his music was “never to be touched” before he died so I’m afraid that’ll be a long wait though…

      1. Sadly that won’t be much of a problem since Mark Hollis passed away in February 2019.

        That won’t count in case of arrangements in his will though of course.

  39. Me too, I got all the exclusives and this will be the next in the line of amazing releases. Since it offers the Atmos mix, which is not in the (excellent!) box, this makes it even more of a no-brainer!!

  40. Hello all,

    This is great news for all fans of Ultravox!
    Like others I did not hesitate when this SDE release was announced and will definitely pre-order the box set as well.
    ‘Lament’ will look great on the shelf alongside ‘Vienna ‘,’Rage In Eden’ and ‘Quartet’.
    I grew up listening to these remarkable artists like Roxy Music, Kraftwerk, and Ultravox!,especially their third album ‘Systems Of Romance’ blew my mind.

    Thank you so much Paul for making this happen!

    Kind regards,

    Henrik

  41. I had decided that although I’d bought the first 3 Ultravox super deluxe box sets I would pass on Lament when it can out. I never rated this album but I will get the Blu Ray to support the ongoing survival of this format and the SDE Blu Ray series.

  42. Blu-Ray ordered with almost no hesitation – before even seeing all the content! Great offering and so tempted to pick up one of the other sets because there’s so much stuff to wade through!

  43. I have every SDE Blu Ray and this release will continue that run! I’m happy to see that it features some Exlusive content and is a BR instead of the DVD packaged within the big box set. Well done Paul!

  44. Firstly, “Lament” is my favorite Ultravox album. I wore the cassette out when I got it in 1984 and the fact that the cassette included special mixes of ‘One Small Day’ and ‘Lament’ mean these versions felt like they were natural part of the album, so it is great to get them all together in one place in this anniversary package (well at least on the CD version).

    Points of interest:

    • No Steven Wilson stereo mix as part of the LP box set. I presume this will be released as a standalone 2x LP in the future (vocal and instrumental versions over 2x LPs, and will include the two B-sides ‘Easterly’ and ‘Building’ as well as ‘Love’s Great Adventure’.

    • The LP box set does not include the original extended mixes, edits, works-in-progress etc. That content is only in the CD box (and presumably will be on streaming). Of course, to include this content would have added several more LPs to the box set but I would have preferred that content over the live concert or the “new remixes”, given the fact the original extended versions were integral to the album and would make for a more album-definitive package.
    You can get many of these tracks on vinyl though via the very good “Extended” LP box set (2018) which contains:
    One Small Day (Special Re-Mix)
    One Small Day (Special Re-Mix Extra)
    White China (Special Re-Mix)
    Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (Special Re-Mix)
    Dancing With Tears In My Eyes (US Extended Re-Mix)
    One Small Day (US Club Version)
    Lament (Extended Mix)
    Heart Of The Country (Special Re-Mix)
    Love’s Great Adventure (Extended Version)
    One Small Day (Final Mix)

    • The new “Extended Remix” album – it is not clear if these mixes are all in fact ‘new’ or only the Moby, Blank & Jones and Steve Wilson versions.
    ‘White China’ [Extended Re-Mix], ‘One Small Day’ [Extended Re-Mix] and ‘Heart of the Country’ [Extended Re-Mix] were all 1984-era remixes and is unclear if these are in fact the same mixes or new mixes (some press says these are “Midge Ure” remixes).
    Yet we have a Moby Remix of ‘Lament’ (there’s an original 1984 long mix of this so… ????)
    ‘Man of Two Worlds’ [Extended Mix] – isn’t denoted as the Steve Wilson version and there was never an extended mix for this AFAIK so this would have to be a new (Midge Ure?) version.

    • The etched version of the two LP 1984 remaster looks pretty, but why weren’t the tracks just spread out over the 2x LPs and cut at 45rpm?

    • Of the Steve Wilson remixes – ‘White China’ (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix) and ‘Man Of Two Worlds’ (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix) are not included in any of the variants and appear to be exclusive to the RSD 12″

    • The price is great for the LP box set . Hopefully these will be available in the U.S. so we don’t get burned by the UK shipping!

    • CD box set seems a bit pricey given the Nik Kershaw Cherry Red 10x CD box is £54.99 and the 7x CD Dream Academy was £37.99.
    Of course this “Lament” box set does include the hi-res DVD audio version along with rather lavish packaging, but I’m sure there are plenty of people who have no use for the hi-res DVD and would prefer just the CDs, opting for the SDE blu-ray if they want hi-res.

    1. It is not practical to put everything on vinyl without making it horribly expensive and out of reach for many buyers. CDs are much cheaper, smaller, have a higher capacity, and are less fragile to make and don’t increase shipping costs as much. I’d say we are getting far superior packaging with the Ultravox sets than with Cherry red’s CD-sized clam box offerings (I have the Dream Academy and Kissing the Pink boxes) and the price is fair given for 7 CDs and a DVD. And I would think more would like the fact it incudes a DVD than those who do not. If you don’t want the DVD, might as well stream or download it. I have ordered the Digital Deluxe and the Blu-ray as I can enjoy stereo, 5.1, and Atmos and am looking forward to this release immensely.

      1. Fair comment – yes the packaging looks more substantial than a Cherry Red box – probably worth the extra £20 with the DVD to boot.

    2. The Extended Remix CD is all new mixes.

      If you look at the tracklisting for disc 5 you’ll see all the original 1984 extended mixes.

      1. Indeed they are – I was “lamenting” *cough cough* the fact the vinyl box favors the live concert over the 1984 remixes.

    3. You pointed out…

       Of the Steve Wilson remixes – ‘White China’ (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix) and ‘Man Of Two Worlds’ (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix) are not included in any of the variants and appear to be exclusive to the RSD 12″

      But you’re on a discussion of a product which includes these.
      In fact, it’s the primary reason I’m buying this as I’m also buying the 7 disc/box set too.

      1. Thanks for the reply.
        Some confusion (to me) here.
        I mentioned this because on the remix album track listing ‘White China’ [Extended Re-Mix] and ‘Man of Two Worlds’ [Extended Re-Mix] doesn’t seem to clarify these are Steven Wilson remixes whereas  ‘When The Time Comes’ [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] and ‘A Friend I Call Desire’ [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] both denote they are Steven Wilson mixes.

        On the RSD 12″ the tracks are listed as follows:
        • White China (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix)
        • Man Of Two Worlds (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix)
        • When The Time Comes (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix)
        • A Friend I Call Desire (Steven Wilson 12″ Re-mix)
        And it is noted that [from the Discogs notes] “All tracks previously unreleased but B1 & B2 are to be included in the forthcoming ‘Lament’ album deluxe edition.”
        So that kinda implies ‘White China’ [Extended Re-Mix] and ‘Man of Two Worlds’ [Extended Re-Mix] on teh box set are not the Steven Wilson versions – they don’t have his name in the titles like the RSD 12″, and it would make ether RSD version essentially a redundant release if they were just including them again in the box set?

        Interested to know your thoughts.

      2. Oh course I went back and actually READ Paul’s original article lol:

        “Finally, the blu-ray includes four bonus 1980s style extended remixes (in 96/24 stereo, only) created by Steven Wilson, for the RSD vinyl release in April. Two of these are in a 7CD+DVD box set – which is being released at the same time – but two are not (denoted by *).

        1. White China [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]* 7.49
        2. Man of Two Worlds [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix]* 8.49
        3. When The Time Comes [StevenWilson 12” Re-Mix] 7.16
        4. A Friend I Call Desire [Steven Wilson 12” Re-Mix] 8.11

  47. Conflict time. The Blur-ray has everything I want, but I love the previous box sets and so looked forward to this box… so box set it is! However, if U-Vox gets a separate bluray, it would an instant buy since it’s an album I dont need as a boxed set, but would love a SW remix

  48. (well, this explains the #6 embossed on the Lament SW 12″ Remixes RSD vinyl … sort of)

    This is fantastic! I love the Ultravox deluxe/anniversary series, and to have the newest/biggest/best release in that series as … a footnote in this announcement! Love it!

    The Blu-Ray content is really nice, with the album + remix EP + more tracks. This is an immediate purchase.

    There’s a lot of overlap between the exclusive Blu-ray and the CD/DVD boxset, so let me see what’s exclusive to each…
    The SDE BD has the exclusive Atmos mixes of the album & 3 extra tracks. The 2024 SW remixes are exclusive-ish to this release — they were on vinyl for RSD, and 2 are in stereo in the big box, but 2 of the tracks only here & in hires stereo.
    The CD/DVD box offers the new extended remix album, some rarities and the live show (in CD stereo only). Also we get all the single mixes/B-sides/extended versions in stereo and (probably) hires stereo*.

    Looks like I’m definitely buying both!

    * The Vienna, Rage In Eden, & Quartet CD boxsets all list the content of their DVDs as “album + B-sides” without detailing exactly which “B-sides”. In each box, the DVD has included most non-album tracks from the singles/B-sides CD. With the Lament box having 19 tracks of classic single, B-side, extended & alternate versions, we’ll see what makes it onto the DVD.

    The new alternate extended version of the album looks like it would be great as a stand-alone release. BUT, I’m hoping they will continue with the tradition of offering a RSD 2-LP with the SW mixes + instrumental version of the album.

  49. One of my Super favourite albums by Ultravox. Ordered the whole set plus the Atmos Bray. Soo happy, can’t wait to play all that fantastic music. Thanks Paul, you’re the best mate !!!

  50. These Ultravox sets keep getting better. An instant no brainer order for me, though I did shop around for prices. I am torn about whether to buy the Blu Ray though. I have a number of SDE Atmos Blu rays that I play on my 5.1 system and they all sound great. This is one of my favourite albums, but the 5.1 mix is in the box so I’d be buying the blu ray in the hope of eventually building an Atmos system in my basement to replace the current 5.1. Not sure that’ll ever happen tbh but if it did, I’d be heartbroken not to have this among my collection. Maybe I can just convince myself it’s a lot more convenient than opening up the box, (or sliding the envelope out in this case).

    One comment on the box. Not enough versions of One Small Day. No, not a joke. Wish they’d found or commissioned more of them. I swear it’s one of the greatest driving songs. I haven’t double checked to see if they missed any of the previously released versions off but I have a play list that alternates between versions of One Small Day and Two Tribes (With a little Pleasuredome thrown in to break it up) that has taken me from Ottawa to Toronto and doesn’t repeat until I’m nearly at Kingston. (Obviously that’s for personal use and when tried with my wife in the car I get no further than midway through the 2nd version of either).

    Paul, I appreciate turning off the local currency force. I haven’t actually pulled the plug on the Blu Ray, but the change makes it more likely I will succumb in the next few days.

  52. Like many others here I was waiting for Lament’s “SuperDeluxeEdition” to complete our Ultravox Collection.
    I’d preferred the Blu-ray would have been included in the box, but after knowing it would be an exclusive of this site I’ve preordered the bundle.
    Paul, you’re doing a lot for our collections and for our ears!
    Thanks!!!

  53. I’ll be all over this.
    Its amazing the quality in this series.
    But I do hope room could be made for the solid 12 inches.
    Dancing with tears in my eyes in particular had an amazing extended mix.
    And if I remember correctly, the Love’s Great Adventure 12inch was only available on the digital deluxe some years back.

  55. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!! BUNDLE PRE-ORDERED! I have been *praying* that the Ultravox SDE series would make it to this point. One of my favorite college-era albums, remastered, chock full of extra stuff, with a big-ass book. YAY! Oh man, after the couple of weeks I’ve just slogged through, this is EXACTLY what I needed. Thanks, Paul, for championing the good stuff!

  56. Order the blu-ray and the 7cd/dvd box. I was looking forward to this release, it completes a great set of surround mixes from Ultravox

  61. Instant pre-order! Paul, aren´t you bursting with all your knowledge about what other Blu Ray-Audios will be released as SDE exclusives in the near future and not allowed sharing it with us?
    Regards
    Kai

  62. BluRay ordered immediately! And thank you, Paul, that it’s possible to pay in GBP again! Gives me a much better conversion rate on my credit card.
    Any chance of the other three already released Ultravox albums getting the Dolby Atmos treatment by Steven Wilson? Would make a cool package or even a box set. All three deserve being upgraded to Atmos!

    1. I am a little weary of amazon.com right wo after they failed me with the HoJo sets. Pre-ordered a month before release and they could not deliver. Said they’d let me know when it will arrive as other retailers sold out. I ordered from JPC and got hem and then cancelled my Amazon order as I couldn’t wait for the “we’re sorry email.”

      1. I have had 2 x similar Amazon experiences. The H Jones sets and Air’s Moon Safari. And the longer you wait for something from Amazon the more you risk missing out altogether!

    2. When I decided to jump on the SDE BRA by July 6, was looking at prices of the CD/BR box on Amazon, jumped on that preorder price…it may drop moreso still by September 6 tho…

  68. It’s 4:30 AM here in CA and I’m pulling an allnighter to get a report out that is due today and this pops up, my most looked forward to release of the year. And not only is there the boxed set but the next in the SDE Surround Series with an Atmos mix! And not only that but also all four of RSD Steven Wilson stereo 12′ mixes which I thought I’d never own in high quality digital, and there they are in 96/24! I feel like I have died and gone to heaven.

    Ordered the digital boxed set/Blu-ray bundle to get all of it in one package.

    Thank you Paul for making my year!

  69. Ordered! :-)
    Is there any chance of Ultravox’s first three albums (on Island) getting this treatment? A Steve Wilson atmos mix of Systems of Romance would be amazing! Or Hiroshima Mon Amour!
    Indeed I’d die and go to heaven to get SDE BluRays of John Foxx’s 4 Virgin solo albums…
    (I believe John’s virgin catalogue reverted to him, and he has made sure there have been good collectors editions, usually via Edsel, mopping up all the myriad of bonus tracks – but so far his only foray into surround sound has been 5.1 mixes of his Cathedral Oceans 1 & 3…. METAMATIC in all it’s primitive 8-track glory remixed in Atmos would be amazing!)

    1. SW was asked about this in an interview some months ago:
      https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/qa-steven-wilson-on-touring-the-harmony-codex-remixing-the-grateful-dead-in-dolby-atmos-and-more/

      “The Ultravox reissues started with 1980’s Vienna, when Midge Ure joined the band, but is there any interest in covering the John Foxx era? I think Systems Of Romance (1978) would sound great in surround.

      I like the first three records, but they didn’t sell as well at the time and are now considered cult albums. By contrast Vienna was massive, though maybe not as much in America versus England. The single “Vienna” in particular was really everywhere here in 1980. So that was definitely their commercial breakthrough.

      The other issue is that the earlier records belong to a completely different label. Vienna through Lament belong to Chrysalis, whereas the early records were released on Island Records which is now part of Universal. I don’t have a relationship with the team looking after that catalog, but I suspect those records aren’t popular enough to justify the expense. Not that I’m the limiting factor there–I’ll do a project for almost any budget if I really love the music–but you have to factor in the other costs like baking the tapes, disc authoring, licensing fees, etc.”

      1. I wouldn’t disagree, but having said that, the first three Grace Jones albums (Island releases going to Universal) were released very successfully and they, compared to the next four, could also be considered cult.

        1. For a moment i thought i missed something and Grace Jones’ first three albums had been remixed in Atmos but then it dawned on me that you’re possibly referring to the ‘Disco’ box set that includes remastered versions of these albums plus some bonus tracks.

          Which of course also happened with the first three Ultravox albums (though original masters were used AFAIK) after Universal bought Island and released ‘The Island Albums’ box on their Caroline label in 2016 throwing in a fourth disc with rare stuff from that period.

    2. You forget to mention Underpass in 5. 1 (included in his Metatronic set) but yeah at the very least, remix Metamatic and Systems of Romance. At least!

  70. An immediate Pre-order of the Blu-ray and DVD/CD boxset for me Paul, so glad to finally see Ultravox on Blu so thank you for making it happen!!

  72. Compulsory purchase. For me, it’s neck-and-neck with Rage In Eden as their best album, and arguably marks the summit of their imperial, phase before decline and divorce (from Lament to descent…).

    Chryalis continue to do a fine, consistent job with this series. Now, how will they tackle that U-Vox cover artwork, I wonder…?

  73. Instant preorder! Thanks Paul! I think that this will be sound amazing in Dolby Atmos mix by SW.
    Hopefully we get soon also the preorder for TFT The seeds of love.

  74. Glad to see this finally announced. The box set looks really nice and was on my list for this year already. I wish I’d known that the 4 tracks from the RSD were going to be on the bluray, could’ve saved myself a vinyl. But that’s only a slight moan, will be good to have it on disc.

  75. Oh yes, this will be good!!
    Bought the CD box set + blu-ray bundle.
    Thank you Paul for all the purchase combinations of this release.
    Another geat blu-ray to add to the collection.

  76. Great album though never like ‘Dancing with Tears’. I think it’s the “epic” chorus that also plagued his first solo album. On the other hand, ‘Man of two Worlds’ IS an epic track. Total masterpiece.
    And what’s up with the 2 etched sides on the double album release? Plenty of extra material to fill those two sides with. Taking the pi$$ are they not?

    1. Looks like the b sides, the single versions and Love’s Great Adventure are not on either of the vinyl editions this time around. Not great that the 2LP edition has two blank sides. Glad I bought the 2LP edition that was released through Pledge a few years back, now that is a very nice release.

  77. One of the Hammersmith shows was my first gig! Great to see that Rivets is included (previously only available on the cassette available on the Set Movements tour). Just wish that they would release a live set from Messengers who were the tour support as they were great on the night I saw them.

    1. I was there as well, fantastic evening. If memory serves, wasn’t the cassette cover the same as the album cover but in white? Now I’m going to have try and dig that out!

  80. The first 100 super bundles pre-ordered via the Official Ultravox Store will come with a limited promotional 7” single of White China (Steven Wilson Re-Mix Edit) and Lament (Moby Re-Mix).

    1. You can also order the promo single separately for £0+ £4 shipping. I am not sure if this is a mistake but it works.

  85. Interesting way of keeping the Ultravox “Big Box” series and the SDE series going with a lot of the surround mix duplicated, but order placed. Looking forward to this, what I feel is the most underappreciated Ultravox album. Thanks for all your hard work putting the SDE’s together, now to learn some patience for the long wait till September.

    1. “… a lot of the surround mix duplicated”
      Yes, but not duplicated in the same way. Atmos blu rays have always been hi-res. The 5.1 mixes in all of the Ultravox deluxe boxes have been DTS 96/24, a lossy format. That’s my one gripe with these Ultravox box sets which I consider excellent and a good value otherwise. I’m in for the blu ray now and maybe pickup the box later.

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