the original canon of B-52's albums are being remastered on SHM and re-released in japan in mini-lp style.
no bonus tracks, unfortunately; but it wouldn't be hard to improve on the mastering sound quality.
get them while they're hot, kids!

cdjapan.co.jp or hmv.co.jp are two good options to check-out for more details.

Excellent news! This is a catalogue that requires an upgrade. I'll be getting these!

I have always enjoyed: 'Nude On The Moon: The Anthology'

I'm surprised that Rhino has never done expanded reissues of the first 5 or 6 albums.

I still have an unfulfilled item on my wish list-an expanded Mesopotamia with the UK mixes and the songs that were cut out from the final EP

rick, jimbo, et al.:
i'm only a moderate B-52's fan... so i own the single-disc Time Capsule best-of plus my favorite cd and Whammy -
(noting that the 2cd Nude On The Moon was loaded with live versions, but ALSO noting that Time Capsule has not even ONE original track from "Bouncing Off The Satellites" - my favorite cd from this band). for me... my Time Capsule best-of, plus the new remasters for my favorite cd + Whammy! will do nicely.

and yes, Jimbo, i'm quite surprised their catalog has been domestically overlooked all these years.

fellow music fans on this site should also be aware that they will save about $15 per disc by buying directly from japan,
and the shipping isn't expensive, and if they've never owned a japanese-made product, they are in for a lovely surprise.

of these newly japan-remastered/repackaged titles, i only purchased "Whammy!" and "Bouncing Off The Satellites."
just a few observations/details about the product:

1- japan does cd's like no one else can - japan quality is, almost without fail, extraordinary.
2- these are mini-lp styled re-releases; but unfortunately, the faithfulness to the original artwork did NOT extend to the inner liner notes and label for "Bouncing Off the Satellites" - with "Whammy!" you DO get a nifty reproduction of the original record sleeve.
(NOTE: perhaps my copy is inadvertently missing the inner sleeve - i will be emailing cdjapan to verify.)
you DO get the (routine for japan) lyrics in both the original language (english here) and the japanese translation.
3- the remasters are 2017 flat-transfers on SHMCD as 192kHz/24bit - the quality improvement is evident, but VERY minor.
(i usually don't petition for adjustments upward in volume with remasters, but that would have been helpful here with these as to match the sound levels of previously released best-of collections or anthologies.)
4- NO bonus tracks.
5- OBI's... yes.

in sum: if you're a fan, then yeah... maybe.
if you're NOT a fan, then meh... no.
i'm now still hoping for a domestic and/or UK reissue that addresses some of the aforementioned shortcomings.

Thanks for the review. I went for the first album to see what they would be like.

Great assessment my friend. Thanks!

Is "Don't Worry" still missing in action from Whammy?

nice catch, Glenn... the cd cover lists that track, but it is indeed NOT included on this cd.
the japanese liner notes show tha Riley Rousell and Stephen Nowlen did "Tape research" -
hmmm.... i'm thinking, NOT SO MUCH!

i just heard back from cdjapan.co.jp who contacted Universal Japan and was told that whereas "Whammy!" DOES come with the mini-inner lp sleeve,
"Bouncing Off The Satellites" does NOT. very nice of cdjapan to follow-up and clarify that for me (us).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2pljSVp0Uk

This sounds good but still not as good as the B-52s box set!

Are you referring to this one John?



If so, wholeheartedly agree that it sounds great.