Essentials

October: Ray Barretto’s Acid

In October, VMP Essentials subscribers will receive the 55th-anniversary edition of Ray Barretto’s Acid, a Latin soul record that was his debut album for Fania Records. The VMP exclusive edition is pressed on 180g Orange Smoke vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the mono master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and comes with a Listening Notes booklet written by Gary Suarez, along with an art print designed by VMP’s Art Director, Clay Conder. 

Sign up now to receive Acid.

November: Ray Charles' Ray Charles In Person

November’s Essentials Record of the Month is Ray Charles’ Ray Charles In Person. The live album, recorded on May 28, 1959, in Atlanta, captures a pivotal moment in Ray Charles’ sound prior to his breakout. The album is pressed on 180g Blue vinyl and is mastered from the mono master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It comes with a Listening Notes booklet by Elijah C. Watson and includes an art print.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Ray Charles In Person becomes available starting October 19.

December: Herbie Hancock's Sextant

In December, VMP Essentials subscribers will receive Herbie Hancock’s Sextant, his 11th studio album. The 50th-anniversary edition of the electronic funk album is pressed on 180g “Lunar Marble” vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and includes a Listening Notes booklet by Marcus J. Moore and art print by Tomi Copi.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Sextant becomes available starting November 16. 

Classics

October: David Porter’s ...Into a Real Thing

In October, the VMP Classics Record of the Month is …Into a Real Thing, an album that served as a precursor to modern R&B and showcased David Porter’s solo production talents for the first time. The album is pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and includes a Listening Notes booklet written by Andrew Winistorfer.

Sign up now to receive …Into a Real Thing. 

November: The Mar-Keys / Booker T. & The M.G.'s Back to Back

In November, VMP Classics subscribers will receive The Mar-Keys / Book T. & The M.G.’s Back to Back, a live album recorded during their 1960s European tour. It’s pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the mono master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and features a Listening Notes booklet by Robert Gordon.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Back to Back becomes available starting October 19.

December: Héctor Lavoe’s Comedia

Héctor Lavoe’s Comedia will be coming to VMP Classics in December. The album topped Billboard’s Latin Albums chart when it was released in 1978 and remains as a favorite from the salsa icon’s catalog. The record is pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and is plated at RTI. It comes with Listening Notes written by Judy Cantor-Navas.   

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Comedia becomes available starting November 16.

Hip-Hop

October: Run–D.M.C.’s Tougher Than Leather

In October, VMP Hip-Hop subscribers will receive Run–D.M.C.’s Tougher Than Leather, the fourth album from the hip-hop trio and the second album from the group to be featured in VMP Hip-Hop. The 35th-anniversary edition of the album will be pressed on 180g Black and White Stripe vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering and includes a Listening Notes booklet by William E. Ketchum III.  

Sign up now to receive Tougher Than Leather.

November: Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor

In November, Lupe Fiasco’s debut and Grammy-award winning album Food & Liquor is coming to VMP Hip-Hop. The record is pressed on 2LP Green & Purple Twister vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. It includes Listening Notes written by Dylan Green. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor becomes available starting October 19.

December: Masta Killa’s No Said Date

Coming in December, Wu-Tang Clan member Masta Killa’s debut album will be featured as the VMP Hip-Hop Record of the Month. The album remains a Wu-Tang family affair with RZA as executive producer and Allah Mathematics and True Master as producers. No Said Date will arrive on 2LP Red Splatter vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. The Listening Notes booklet is written by Dimas Sanfiorenzo. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when No Said Date becomes available starting November 16.

Country

October: Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe

In October, Bobbie Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe is coming to VMP Country. Released in 1967, Bobbie Gentry’s debut album topped charts, reigning even above The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band on the Billboard 200. The album is a mono release pressed on 180g Orange vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and includes a Listening Notes booklet written by Brittney McKenna. 

Sign up now to receive Ode to Billie Joe.

November: John Prine’s Sweet Revenge

In November, VMP Country subscribers will receive the 50th anniversary-edition of John Prine’s third album Sweet Revenge, released in 1973. John Prine’s self-titled debut was previously featured as the VMP Country Record of the Month for January 2021. Sweet Revenge is pressed on 180g Black & Blue Smoke vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It comes with a Listening Notes booklet written by Amileah Sutliff. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Sweet Revenge becomes available starting October 19.

December: Willie Nelson’s Willie Nelson & Family 

Finally, in December, Willie Nelson also makes his second appearance in VMP Country with the 1971 Willie Nelson & Family, an album that precedes Shotgun Willie, the Country Record of the Month for April 2021. It’s pressed on 180g “Campfire Quad” vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It includes a Listening Notes booklet by Andrew Winistorfer.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Willie Nelson & Family becomes available starting November 16. 

Rock

October: System of a Down’s Toxicity

October’s Rock Record of the Month is System of a Down’s Toxicity, the band’s socially conscious record. It’s pressed on 180g “Toxic Red & Black Quad” colored vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering, and is the first-ever release with a gatefold jacket. This album will not include a hype sticker or Listening Notes booklet.

Sign up now to receive Toxicity.

November: Stone Temple Pilots’ Nº 4

In November, VMP Rock subscribers will receive Stone Temple Pilots’ Nº 4, the band’s introspective and experimental album from 1999. It’s here on Black and White Cornetto vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. This title will not include a Listening Notes booklet. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Nº 4 becomes available starting October 19.

December: ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres

In December, VMP Rock subscribers will receive the 50th anniversary-edition of ZZ Top’s Tres Hombres, the band’s hell-raising third album that laid the foundation for the band’s success and became a blueprint for southern rockers. It’s pressed on 180g “Hot Sauce” vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It includes Listening Notes written by Annie Zaleski.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Tres Hombres becomes available starting November 16.

Vinyl Me, Parton

October: Dolly Parton’s Hello, I’m Dolly 

Nothing introduces Dolly Parton like her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly, featured as the Vinyl Me, Parton Record of the Month for October 2023. Hello, I’m Dolly, kicks off a quarter of Vinyl Me, Parton records that highlight major moments in her career. The album is pressed on 180g Flame Galaxy vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

Sign up now to receive Hello, I’m Dolly and to join Vinyl Me, Parton. 

November: Dolly Parton’s Jolene

In November, Vinyl Me, Parton subscribers will receive Jolene, one of Dolly Parton’s biggest albums in her career, and features songs like “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” It’s pressed on 180g Purple and Blue Galaxy vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. 

December: Dolly Parton’s Halos & Horns

Finishing off 2023, the first-ever vinyl release of Halos & Horns is the December Vinyl Me, Parton Record of the Month. The Grammy-nominated album and sequel to Little Sparrow, the May 2023 Vinyl Me, Parton record, served as a final album to her circuit of bluegrass albums during this era. It’s pressed on 2LP Blue Galaxy vinyl with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.