Back catalogue: Funk/Reissues

Review: One of the most popular and influential groups in popular music, The Bee Gees' career spanned five decades, five Grammys and eight platinum albums-but until now, the group's extraordinary catalogue has never been upgraded. Reprise begins its complete restoration of their repertoire with 2xCD expanded remasters of their first three internationally released albums. 'The Studio Albums 1967-1968' is the definitive overview of the 5-piece Bee Gees line-up that shot to stardom in the late 60s: harmonising brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, and Australian musicians Vince Melouney and Colin Petersen. The revitalisation of these three early albums marks the first time the group has opened their extensive tape vaults for archival mining. On Bees Gees' 1st, Horizontal and Idea, the musical genius of the Bee Gees now sounds better than ever. Each reissue features the original album remastered in stereo and mono, plus a second disc of rare and unreleased tracks pulled for the first time ever from the Bee Gees' tape vaults. In-depth liner notes feature brand-new interviews from Barry and Robin Gibb. The Booklets also feature rare and previously unseen photos. The deluxe gatefold digipaks are in individually numbered limited-edition slipcases. Bee Gee's 1st, originally released in 1967, reached #8 on the UK Album chart and includes "To Love Somebody," "New York Mining Disaster 1941," and "Holiday." Disc 2 features 14 previously unreleased tracks, include alternate versions of most of the album cuts plus the recorded debut of "Gilbert Green," "House Of Lords," "All Around The Clock," and other ultra-rare recordings. "Horizontal", which debuted in early 1968, introduced the signature hit "Massachusetts," a chart-topper in Britain as well as the standouts "World" (a global hit), "Words," "Harry Braff," and the psychedelic title track. Disc 2 features thirteen rarities including nine previously unreleased tracks, among them "Out Of Line," "All My Christmases Came At Once," plus the medley "Silent Night/Hark The Herald Angels Sing" (one of only two songs in this box that doesn't feature a Gibb songwriting credit). "Idea" followed in August 1968 and broke the Bee Gees into the US Top 10 singles chart for the first time with the classics "I've Got To Get A Message To You" and "I Started A Joke". Disc 2 includes alternate mixes of "Idea," "Kitty Can," and "Let There Be Love," the film songs "Chocolate Symphony" and "Gena's Theme," plus, two previously unissued Coca Cola commercials.