The Dukes of Stratosphear
The complete works of The Dukes of Stratosphear — XTC’s short-lived psychedelic side project — have been remixed in stereo and 5.1 Surround by Porcupine Tree frontman Steven Wilson and will be reissued in October as a CD/Blu-ray set called Psurroundabout Ride.
Due out Oct. 11, the set includes the band’s two John Leckie-produced albums, 1985’s 25 O’Clock and 1987’s Psonic Psunspot, plus two extra tracks. The set is now available for pre-order via Burning Shed.
A full tracklist has not been revealed, but the Psurroundabout Ride product listing says the CD contains a total of 19 songs, 18 of which are newly mixed from the original master tapes by Wilson, who has been handling XTC’s ongoing audiophile reissue series. The new mixes are approved by Andy Partridge.
The Blu-ray includes the complete Dukes recordings in their original and new stereo mixes, as well as in 5.1 Surround mixes, instrumental versions and a complete set of demos, all in hi-res sound. One of the songs, not identified, has been up-mixed into 5.1 Surround using the Penteo audio system, according to the listing.
It’s not clear what the extra tracks are, but they could include any of the three additional songs featured on the CD reissue of 25 O’Clock a decade ago: “Black Jewelled Serpent of Sound,” “Open a Can of Human Beans” or “Tin Toy Clockwork Train.”
It’s also worth noting that the product listing for Psurroundabout Ride says it includes 19 tracks, but the two albums together only include 16 songs, so that would mean three, not two, bonus tracks.
Also on Oct. 11, both 25 O’Clock and Psonic Psunspot are being reissued separately on 200-gram vinyl. They can also be purchased from Burning Shed as a set that also includes Psurroundabout Ride.
Below, see the new cover art for Psurroundabout Ride.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Robyn Hitchcock and XTC’s Andy Partridge to release EP that’s 13 years in the making
- Andy Partridge is tired of being woken up by ‘wankers’ singing ‘Making Plans for Nigel’
- XTC’s Andy Partridge covers Pink Floyd, Bonzo Dog Band on new 10-inch EP
- Dukes of Stratosphear’s ‘Complete and Utter Dukes’ box set includes CDs, vinyl, puzzle
- ‘XTC As…’: Re-branded Dukes of Stratosphear reissues due in March
Still not quite sure why they felt they had to present these re-issues as, “XTC as The Dukes of Stratosphere.”
Sir John Johns talks about Psurroundabout Ride, the story of the Dukes of Stratosphear and his love of psychedelia. “This is pop music gone upwards towards the stars.” https://xtcbumperbookoffunforboysandgirls.blogspot.com/2019/10/andy-partridge-on-psurroundabout-ride.html