Talk Talk THE COLOUR OF SPRING

Welcome…

It was a relationship which lacked polarity, we were

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BOWIE ‘ 69

Fifty years ago, everything changed for David Bowie. He went from a singer on the fringes to finally finding success with Space Oddity. After the failure of his debut album two years earlier, just how did Bowie become the Starman? As three new vinyl boxsets explore his transformation, John Earls speaks to his bandmates and former girlfriend Hermione Farthingale

THE ESSENTIAL Samplers

Despite often costing far less than a regular LP, many samplers have become highly collectible. Surely a definitive list of 40 is impossible? Step forward Mark Sampson

More Shops Standing

Film celebrates resurgence of independent record stores

The Selecter

Long Live Vinyl’s essential picks for the month ahead

Simon says

The former Cocteau Twins member recalls two less than glorious festival appearances

The Big Question

Addressing Vinyl’s Most Pressing Issues

The Completist

Finding a record on your wants list at a bargain price remains a huge thrill, but sharing your excitement with those outside the vinyl-centric bubble is a challenge

Music For Astronauts

Extended version of Eno’s Apollo features 11 new compositions

LINER NOTES

Long Live Vinyl’s founder reflects on the four chapters of a long-gone but not forgotten magazine that provided valuable inspiration – Lee Woods’ Spiral Scratch

THE VINYLIST JON HALPERIN

California collector with 4,000 records and counting

Now Spinning

13 tracks on the Long Live Vinyl turntable this month, best enjoyed with Transmission, a classic American IPA from Leeds’ Northern Brewing Co.

Oh, What A Circus

New extended version of Stones’ legendary live performance gets first vinyl release

CHELOU

After a string of viral hits, the Londoner’s debut album is ready to land

#26 Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots

If you want a job doing well, do it yourself… Flaming

KING CRIMSON

Peter Sinfield (left) pays close attention as Robert

ANA MATRONIC

The Scissor Sisters vocalist and BBC Radio 2 presenter opens up to Felix Rowe about her lasting, unconditional love of The Cure’s monumental sixth studio album

THE HISTORY AND ONGOING RELEVANCE OF THE SPLIT 7" SINGLE

Today’s punk bands have found a natural bedfellow in the split 7" single. Huw Baines explores the fascination of this vinyl format of choice

I was determined to make something positive for myself. I didn’t want to be sat in a studio recording dirges, as they suck the life out of me at the moment. I know it sounds cheesy, but if you’ve got a light in your heart, it’s easy to be positive

Richard Hawley has turned 50 since his previous album, and he celebrates his 20th anniversary as a solo artist this year. Hawley may not be fussed by milestones, but his brilliant new album Further feels like a fresh start. He tells John Earls how dog walking, shunning social media and the brevity of the 7" have contributed to his sharpest work yet

WONDER YEARS

Long-time musical friends and collaborators, Calexico and Iron & Wine returned to the studio last winter 13 years after their previous release. Resultant album Years To Burn is born of a restless desire to reinvent. Gary Walker meets two of its creators, Joey Burns and Sam Beam

Odes To Joy

As the 40th anniversary of Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures approaches, Peter Hook tells Jonathan Wright about the “wonderful out-of-control excitement” of making one of the best debut albums ever committed to vinyl

James Lavelle

A cratedigger par excellence, James Lavelle has worked in legendary record shops, DJ’d in some of the world’s greatest clubs, started the game-changing Mo’ Wax label and worked with film directors including Danny Boyle and Alfonso Cuarón. He tells Gary Walker about the 10 records he’s most proud of

THIRTY YEARS OF MERGE RECORDS

Founded in 1989 by members of Superchunk as a vehicle to release their own records, Merge has flourished. Huw Baines marks their anniversary

PETE FOWLER

Pete Fowler’s vibrant illustrations for Super Furry Animals’ record sleeves became synonymous with the band’s playfully subversive image. Christopher Barrett finds out what inspired the man himself

DIGGING FOR VICTORY

Record dealer Mark O’Shaughnessy proves that the idiom the harder you work the luckier you get just might have a ring of truth to it

Trading Post STROUD

It took Simon Vincent 15 years to turn his dream of owning his favourite record shop into a reality, but as Ben Wardle discovers it was worth the wait

Yodelling THE EXITS 7 " E P

The only recorded output from a super-obscure bunch of punks is now a much-coveted item

Unseen Worlds

In their own words, “Unseen Worlds is a record label releasing quality editions of unheralded and revolutionary, yet accessible, avant garde music.” Chris Parkin is happy to go along with that

CLOSER

The end cut on Nirvana’s final studio album turned out to be Kurt Cobain’s vinyl epitaph. Gary Tipp feels the pain

The Rolling Stones

Steve Harnell cracks the whip over the soundtrack of the 1968 extravaganza, now including a previously unheard version of The Beatles’ Revolution featuring John Lennon with The Dirty Mac

Prince

Prince gifted songs lesser artists would kill for, and here are 15 of those covers (only one previously released) performed by the great man himself. A startled John Earls reels in wonder

DREAM MACHINES

Look no further if you want great-sounding speakers that can double up as alien robots

E.A.T. PRELUDE TURNTABLE

Jason Kennedy spins some vinyl on this fluent yet powerful turntable

VPI HW-40 ANNIVERSARY TURNTABLE

Paul Rigby‘s socks are blown off by VPI’s direct drive turntable