An expanded edition of “Tales From Topographic Oceans“ will arrive just as Yes complete a tour featuring music from this 1973 epic.
Overseen by Steven Wilson, the new update will be available in high-resolution stereo and 5.1 surround in both a three-CD/Blu-ray audio configuration and as a two-CD/two-DVD audio set. They are due on July 29th, Aside from Wilson’s new mix of the original two-disc album, extras include an unedited and extended version of “Dance of the Dawn.” There are also five new single edits meant to provide new insight into the individual sections of the larger musical set pieces that make up.
The band’s Album Series tour featuring sides one and tour from the album, as well as the 1980 LP “Drama” in its entirety, has dates scheduled through September. 4th. The tour starts in Columbus, Ohio. USA.
Wilson worked with a tape source that’s thought to be the earliest original-mix master in digital. The Blu-ray disc includes instrumental-only versions of the songs, as well as a full alternative album with a different run-through of side two and a previously unheard live set of side four. Highlights include an unreleased live take on “Ritual” from 1974, and a different studio take of “High the Memory.”
The Roger Dean art has also been expanded and restored. Sid Smith wrote new liner notes, and the set includes new interviews with vocalist Jon Anderson, Alan White and Guitarist Steve Howe, along with rare photos, memorabilia and expanded session notes.
“Tales From Topographic Oceans” is the fifth in a series of expanded Yes editions including 5.1 Surround mixes, new stereo mixes and High-Resolution stereo mixes of the original music. Additionally, both sets add extra material mixes on CD, while the Blu-Ray edition adds a wealth of extra audio material. Steven Wilson has produced the new mixes with the approval of the band. Both editions feature restored artwork overseen and approved by Roger Dean with an expanded booklet containing new sleeve-notes, photos and archive material making this the definitive edition of the album.
Speaking about this release, Steven Wilson said “I worked on and off for about 3 years on this new mix in my quest to do it justice. I hope it will satisfy the people who agree with me that it may just be Yes’s pre-eminent masterpiece.”
He also recently pointed out that multitrack tapes are unavailable for the other key albums in the Yes catalogue, so “unless that situation changes”, this will be the final release in the series.
• CDs features a completely new stereo album mix by Steven Wilson, a new mix of Dance of the Dawn and five new single edits (both editions).
• Hybrid DVD-As feature 5.1 Surround mixes and High Resolution Stereo mixes of the album mixed from the original multi-track tapes along with the original mix of the album – all at 24/96.
• Blu-Ray features all of the above – 5.2 mixes in DTS-HD MA, new mixes at 24/96, original mixes at 24/192 in LPCM Stereo + additional music including new instrumental mixes, new single edits, a complete album of alt takes (including two previously unreleased sides – one studio, one live) and needle-drops of an original UK vinyl pressing and a US banded promo album pressing.
• Special packaging for both formats, CD/DVD-A set in two double digi-packs in slipcase, CD/Blu-Ray in two mini vinyl replica gatefold card sleeves in slipcase.
• Additional CD in Blu-Ray edition allows for the inclusion of the complete alternate album takes on CD.
Find out more at yesworld.com/discography/tales-topographic-oceans/
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