January 10, 2026: A Tribute to David Bowie
Today marks the 10th anniversary of David Bowie's passing, a shocking reminder of how time flies. It's a bittersweet feeling; while I long for his continued musical presence, the recent surge in activity around his back catalog has been a pleasant surprise. Bowie's absence during his decade-long hiatus between Reality and The Next Day made his return all the more special. Similarly, the two decades prior to that weren't always a constant celebration of his brilliance. Every groundbreaking album like Outside or Reality was followed by less memorable ones, such as Never Let Me Down or Hours...
His death, especially the release of Blackstar, served as a wake-up call for many, a reminder of his extraordinary talent. I still play albums like Black Tie White Noise and Tin Machine with great enthusiasm, but the 1970s era remains David Bowie's pinnacle. Each year, he produced an album that could rival the best work of other artists. Despite the lack of a Bowie studio album in 1978, he still released two albums in 1977 and co-produced Iggy Pop's albums, and the live album Stage in 1978, proving he wasn't slacking off.
David Bowie's ability to consistently deliver exceptional music during this period is remarkable. If he had never made another album after Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps), his legacy would have been secure. That album, released in 1980, marks the end of his 70s era, in my opinion. Interestingly, despite the acclaim for his Berlin Trilogy and the mid-70s masterpieces like Young Americans and Station to Station, I find myself drawn to his earlier albums, particularly David Bowie (aka Space Oddity) and The Man Who Sold The World. I recently played Space Oddity (the Ryko 2LP clear vinyl, acquired at the Den Bosch record fair in November). There's an undeniable charm to the albums recorded before Bowie became a household name...
As the founder and editor of a reissue website, I must admit I have a biased view. However, I believe Parlophone should take a break from David Bowie for a while. The constant barrage of box sets and vinyl reissues has been relentless over the past decade. They've done an excellent job, but the 45th anniversary vinyl releases, for instance, feel unnecessary. Perhaps it's time to pause and reflect, allowing the releases to feel special again. Or maybe not. When reissues become too commonplace, their allure fades.
Despite my personal preferences, I want to thank David Bowie for his incredible music. His songs have not only inspired me but also my friend Aubrey Day, who passed away a little over a year ago. I wrote about our shared love for David Bowie's music ten years ago, when he died. It's a testament to his enduring impact.
SDE in the Guardian
The Financial Times isn't the only publication to feature SuperDeluxeEdition! Martin Belam at The Guardian included a mention of our 2026 SDE Reissue Preview in the 'What else we've been reading' section of Wednesday's 'First Edition' newsletter. You can access it via this link (https://t.co/rLwZjCjZ8P).
RIP Bert Bevans
The music world mourns the loss of New York DJ, mixer/remixer Bert Bevans. McCartney fans will remember him from the 1986 single 'Press,' which he mixed with Steve Forward. Bevans also mixed Pete Wylie's 'Sinful' and many other 80s classics. Rest in peace.
Paul Young at the BBC
For UK residents, BBC One is broadcasting a special hour-long retrospective of Paul Young tonight. Entitled 'Paul Young at the BBC,' it will feature clips of his classic songs and Paul's reflections on his journey to fame, the stories behind his most memorable tracks, and the experiences that shaped his career, from his early days with the Q-Tips to his solo success in the 1980s and beyond. To celebrate this broadcast, we're offering a special deal on the SDE Surround Series Blu-ray of No Parlez. David Kosten's Atmos Mix is truly spectacular, so don't miss out! Order it via the SDE shop using this link (https://www.thesdeshop.com/products/exclusive-paul-young-no-parlez-limited-edition-blu-ray-audio) or the button below.
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