Classic Japan albums set for vinyl reissue

(Image credit: Fin Costello - Getty)

Two classic Japan albums are to be reissued next month on heavyweight vinyl.

Both 1980’s Gentlemen Take Polaroids and 1981’s Tin Drum will be released on LP and 2LP sets on August 24 via UMC – and each will come with an obi strip and official Abbey Road certificate.

The records have been mastered at the famous London studio by Miles Showell, with each cut using a half-speed remastering technique which gives the tracks a “superior high frequency response and solid and state stereo images.”

The 2LP sets will play at 45rpm for enhanced fidelity.

Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum were the the last two albums released by the core lineup of David Sylvian, Mick Karn, Steve Jansen and Richard Barbieri under the Japan banner.

They came back together in the early 90s under the name Rain Tree Crow and released a self-titled album in 1991.

Both albums are now available for pre-order. Find further details below.

Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids

1. Gentlemen Take Polaroids
2. Swing
3. Burning Bridges
4. My New Career
5. Methods Of Dance
6. Ain’t That Peculiar
7. Night Porter
8. Taking Islands In Africa

Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids

Japan - Gentlemen Take Polaroids
Japan’s fourth studio album arrived in October 1980 and is widely considered as the one which consolidated Japan’s unique aesthetic approach and sound.

Japan - Tin Drum

1. The Art Of Parties
2. Talking Drum
3. Ghosts
4. Canton
5. Still Life In Mobile Homes
6. Visions Of China
7. Sons Of Pioneers
8. Cantonese Boy

Japan - Tin Drum

Japan - Tin Drum
The band’s final album featured the classic tracks The Art Of Parties and Ghosts – the latter peaked at no.5 in the UK singles chart in April 1982.

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