Classic Albums Re-issued on Vinyl

We are delighted to announce the release of a selection of classic Real World Records albums on vinyl. Available to pre-order now for a Friday 28 July 2017 release.

Some have been out of print on LP for many years and others are making their vinyl debut; each one is a cornerstone of the Real World catalogue.

Various Artists – Passion Sources – LPRW2
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Mustt Mustt – LPRW15
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan – Shahen Shah – LPRW3
Geoffrey Oryema – Exile – LPRW14
Ayub Ogada – En Mana Kuoyo – LPRW42
Papa Wemba – Emotion – LPRW52
Martyn Bennett – Grit – LPRW114 (DOUBLE LP YELLOW VINYL)

Another classic Real World Records release Joseph Arthur’s Redemption’s Son (LPRW103) is also being re-released on double LP, but a little earlier on 23 June to celebrate the album’s 15th Anniversary.

When Peter Gabriel launched Real World Records back in 1989, access to music from around the world was limited, relying on ethnomusicologists or traditional labels to find these sounds. Of course, the world is now totally transformed and finding new music has never been easier. We are, however, very happy be going back to glorious vinyl with these albums, which have endured over many years.

"It has been heart warming to see the return of vinyl. Even though I loved being free of its limitations in the digital world, there is still a warmth and presence to vinyl that somehow makes it a more natural human companion." ~ Peter Gabriel

Real World has always encouraged cross cultural collaboration, so it’ll be no surprise that included in the LP reissues we have creative magic between Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook (Mustt Mustt); Papa Wemba and Stephen Hague (Emotion); Geoffrey Oryema and Brian Eno (Exile).

Ayub Ogada’s En Mana Kuoyo is one of those unforgettable albums. Simply backing himself (albeit with virtuosic ease) on an East African lyre called a nyatiti, Ayub’s warm vocals never leave centre stage. At the other end of the scale, but equally indelible, is Martyn Bennett’s Grit which is arguably one of the most significant pieces of work to come out of Scotland in recent years.

We are not alone in considering Joseph Arthur to be one of the most talented American singer-songwriters in recent years. 2017 marks the 15th anniversary of one of his most beloved albums, Redemption’s Son, so we’re bringing it out for the first time on double vinyl, with a whole album of previously unreleased bonus tracks from that era. A delight.

Buy the LPs from the Real World Store

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Pakistan

The late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is one of the key artists on Real World Records and certainly one of the most influential. His voice is universally recognised as one of the great voices in musical history and he was key in bringing the Qawwali music tradition to the Western world.
Ayub Ogada

Kenya

Ayub Ogada is regarded as one of the greatest Kenyan artists of all time. He was born in 1956 in Mombassa as Job Seda, a descendant of the proud Luo people of western Kenya.
Geoffrey Oryema

Uganda
Martyn Bennett

Scotland

There have been few more thrilling sounds in the last decade than Martyn Bennett flattening the usual barriers of time, culture and genre that imprison music in boxes.
Papa Wemba

Democratic Republic of Congo

With his dynamic vocals and flamboyant personality, Papa Wemba played an essential role in the Central African music. Respectfully known as 'the king of Rhumba Rock', Wemba successfully fused African traditions with Western pop and rock influences.

By Online Editor

Published on Thu, 27 April 17

Classic Albums Re-issued on Vinyl

Further reading

Real World Records to release ‘lost album’ by the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Bab L’ Bluz KEXP Session

Track of the day: ‘IWAIWA FUNK’ by Bab L’ Bluz

‘I’m really moved by people’s response to it’ – John Metcalfe discusses the album Tree