Essentials

January: Labelle’s Nightbirds

In January, VMP Essentials subscribers will receive the 50th-anniversary edition of Labelle’s 1974 funk opus, Nightbirds. The album is pressed on 180g Marmalade vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It includes a Listening Notes booklet by Sasha Geffen and an art print by Jean Pierre Consuegra.

Sign up now to receive Nightbirds.

February: Fleetwood Mac’s Fleetwood Mac

The February Essentials Record of the Month is Fleetwood Mac’s 1975 self-titled album, commonly referred to as “The White Album,” and the first album to feature Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham as part of the band’s primary lineup. It’s pressed on 180g Black & Quad vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It includes a Listening Notes booklet by Rachel Brodsky and a photo print. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Fleetwood Mac becomes available starting January 18. 

March: Willie Nelson’s Phases and Stages

For the month of March, VMP Essentials subscribers will receive the 50th-anniversary edition of Willie Nelson’s 1974 concept album Phases and Stages. The record is pressed on 180g “Bloody Mary Marble” colored vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. The Listening Notes booklet is written by Andrew Winistorfer, and the package includes a poster print designed by Austin, Texas-based artist Mike Mitchell.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Phases and Stages becomes available starting February 15. 

Classics

January: La Lupe’s Queen of Latin Soul / Reina de la Canción Latina

In January, VMP Classics subscribers will receive La Lupe’s Queen of Latin Soul / Reina de la Canción Latina, a raw album that includes bolero, boogaloo and salsa tracks. It’s pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the mono master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and includes a Listening Notes booklet by Isabelia Herrera.

Sign up now to receive Queen of Latin Soul / Reina de la Canción Latina.

February: Gary Bartz’s Another Earth

Gary Bartz’s galactic and jazzy Another Earth is coming to VMP Classics in February. The album is pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling sound and comes with a Listening Notes booklet by Jeff Weiss. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Another Earth becomes available starting January 18. 

March: Nina Simone’s Silk & Soul

Nina Simone Sings the Blues was previously featured as the Essentials December Record of the Month in 2016, which is repressed and available here. Now, VMP Classics in March will feature Silk & Soul. Her multi-genre album will be pressed on 180g black vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. It includes a Listening Notes booklet by Ashawnta Jackson.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Silk & Soul becomes available starting February 15. 

Hip-Hop

January: Boogie Down Productions’ By All Means Necessary

In January, VMP Hip-Hop subscribers will receive Boogie Down Productions’ revolutionary sophomore album By All Means Necessary. On this album, Boogie Down Productions member KRS shifted the group’s music by exploring socially conscious lyrics, donning the persona as “The Teacha.” It’s pressed on 180g Orange Vinyl with lacquers cut by Cicely Balston at AIR Mastering and includes a Listening Notes booklet by Elijah Watson.  

Sign up now to receive By All Means Necessary.

February: O.C.’s Word...Life

O.C.’s debut and seminal album Word…Life is coming to VMP Hip-Hop in February. It’s pressed on 2LP Black & Yellow A-Side / B-Side vinyl with lacquers cut by Cicely Balston at AIR Mastering. The Listening Notes booklet is written by Will Dukes. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Word…Life becomes available starting January 18. 

March: Ol' Dirty Bastard’s Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version

Wu-Tang Clan member Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s debut solo album Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version is coming to VMP Hip-Hop in March. The VMP edition features the songs "Dirty Dancin'" and “Harlem World” reissued on vinyl for the first time ever. The record is pressed on 2LP Yellow & Blue A-Side / B-Side Vinyl with lacquers cut by Cicely Balston at AIR Mastering. It comes with a Listening Notes booklet by Jaelani Turner-Williams.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version becomes available starting February 15.

Country

January: Guy Clark’s Old No. 1

Guy Clark’s foundational debut album Old No. 1 is coming to VMP Country in January. It’s pressed on 180g Black & Blue Galaxy vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. Its Listening Notes booklet is written by Natalie Weiner. 

Sign up now to receive Old No. 1. 

February: Billy Joe Shaver’s Old Five and Dimers Like Me

Outlaw singer-songwriter and Texas legend Billy Joe Shaver’s debut album Old Five and Dimers Like Me is featured as the VMP Country Record of the Month for February. It’s here on 180g Brown Marble vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and includes Listening Notes by Geoff Edgers. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Old Five and Dimers Like Me becomes available starting January 18. 

March: Rodney Crowell’s The Houston Kid

In March, the first-ever vinyl release of Rodney Crowell’s autobiographically-inspired 2001 The Houston Kid will be featured as the VMP Country Record of the Month. It’s pressed on 180g Sepia Marble vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. Its Listening Notes booklet is written by David Cantwell.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when The Houston Kid becomes available starting February 15. 

Rock

January: Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality

January’s Rock Record of the Month is Black Sabbath’s Master of Reality. The landmark metal album is pressed on 180g Purple Orchid Splatter vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from the master tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. The package includes a Listening Notes booklet by Andy O’Connor and a foldout poster.

Sign up now to receive Master of Reality. 

February: The Replacements’ Hootenanny

In February, VMP Rock subscribers will get The Replacements’ Hootenanny, the band’s rebellious but authentic sophomore album. It's pressed on 180g Blue vinyl with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound and includes a Listening Notes booklet by Bob Mehr. 

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Hootenanny becomes available starting January 18. 

March: Heart’s Little Queen

Heart's full-throttle Little Queen, which includes their popular song “Barracuda,” is the Rock Record of the Month for March 2024. It’s pressed on 180g Red & Cream Split vinyl with lacquers cut by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. The record comes with a Listening Notes booklet written by Amileah Sutliff.

Sign up here to receive an email notification when Little Queen becomes available starting February 15.

Vinyl Me, Parton

January: Dolly Parton’s Better Day

Dolly Parton’s fully self-written and inspiring album Better Day is the January Record of the Month. It’s pressed on 180g Light Blue Galaxy vinyl with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound.

Sign up now to receive Better Day and to join Vinyl Me, Parton. 

February: Dolly Parton’s Those Were the Days

The first-ever vinyl release of Those Were the Days is the Vinyl Me, Parton Record of the Month for February. It’s pressed on 180g Orange Galaxy vinyl with lacquers cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound. The album features 12 covers and special guests.

March: Dolly Parton’s New Harvest ... First Gathering

In March, Vinyl Me, Parton subscribers will receive New Harvest ... First Gathering, Dolly Parton’s first self-produced album from 1977. It’s pressed on 180g Wheat Galaxy vinyl with AAA lacquers cut from tapes by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and includes a lyric insert.