Craft Recordings again offers an interesting mix of collectible, limited-edition, rare, and long out-of-print LPs for Record Store Day 2025 (RSD) that's happening on Saturday, April 12. Record Store Day typically always takes place on the third Saturday of April in any given year, but for 2025, that date fell on what is a bank holiday across much of the globe, so the date was pushed forward to April 12. Craft's selection of rarities and specialty releases are only a handful of the literally hundreds of cool and collectible records that will be available online and at independent record stores everywhere.
For RSD April, Craft is offering seven exclusive releases, starting with the long out-of-print mono mix of saxophonist Gerry Mulligan and pianist Thelonious Monk's classic Monk Meets Mulligan (1957), offered as a 180 gram black vinyl LP. Next up is a 25th Anniversary reissue of alternative rockers Collective Soul's album Blender (2000), which is being offered as a translucent cobalt vinyl LP. Trailblazing hardcore band A Day To Remember's Attack of the Killer B-Sides (2010), is being offered in a neon orange colored vinyl, 45 rpm LP. Stax Records' Carla Thomas, "The Queen of Memphis Soul," is represented by her album Sweet Sweetheart (1970), which has never been previously released on LP, and is being offered for RSD on a translucent light-blue colored vinyl LP. Pianist Vince Guaraldi's Jazz Impressions of a Boy Named Charlie Brown - Alternate Takes (1964) features unreleased tracks from the album sessions on a sky-blue colored vinyl LP. Another excellent compilation from Jazz Dispensary is represented by Night Lights (2025), which culls an eclectic variety of tracks from the Prestige label's Moodsville imprint, offered on a midnight blue swirled colored vinyl LP. The final entry from Craft's RSD offering features "The Queen of Salsa," Celia Cruz with Willie Colón on Only They Could Have Made This Album (1977), which continues Craft's celebration of Celia Cruz' centennial, and is being offered on a 180 gram black vinyl LP.
I received two of the seven available album titles for review, including Collective Soul's Blender and Celia Cruz with Willie Colón's Only They Could Have Made This Album. With regard to Record Store Day pricing of LPs, Craft Recordings allows a certain amount of latitude in RSD pricing to the independent and online outlets participating in the event, so the actual prices for these albums may vary slightly at the point of sale. You can see a list of all outlets participating in RSD 2024 by clicking HERE.
Collective Soul: Blender. Translucent cobalt LP
Atlanta-based Collective Soul had a meteoric rise to the top of the charts, with a level of critical and commercial success that many bands could only dream about. 2000's Blender (Atlantic Records) was the band's fifth studio album, and unfortunately represented a downward turn in their commercial fortunes. It only reached the gold record sales mark, and the album proved to be their last for Atlantic. The record generated four singles, "Why Pt. 2," "Vent," "After All," and "Perfect Day," which featured a duet between lead singer Ed Roland and Elton John. While Blender got a fair amount of airplay, it failed to capture the imagination of the record-buying public in the same manner as the band's previous chart-topping albums. Blender was pressed by Memphis Record Pressing on heavyweight translucent cobalt vinyl; this RSD release represents the album's first appearance on LP, and is limited to 3000 copies worldwide. The MRP pressing was perfect, and the translucent cobalt vinyl was beautiful!
While Blender is undeniably a great album, it lacks a bit of the punch and seemingly non-stop succession of power pop hits that Collective Soul's previous albums demonstrated in spades. That said, side one's "Vent" and "Why Pt. 2" set a really propulsive tone, and following the ballad "10 Yrs Later," a really great guitar hook in "Boast" restores the record's propulsive beat. "You Speak My Language" features a clever lyric and more impressive guitar work. While the duo with Elton John (who was still an Atlanta resident at the time), "Perfect Day," finds Sir Elton in great voice, and he contributes a fabulous piano solo in the song's center. "After All" has a very synth-poppy vibe, and the album's closer, "Happiness" recalls the trademark power pop Collective Soul is noted for. Blender came outside the point where I was still heavily focused on the band, and despite not bowling me over to the extent of their previous albums, nonetheless makes for a seriously enjoyable listen. The availability of the LP will be welcomed by fans of the band and collectors alike, and Blender comes highly recommended.
Celia Cruz with Willie Colón: Only They Could Have Made This Album. 180 gram black vinyl LP
Craft Recordings is in 2025 celebrating the centenary of Cuban singer Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso, or simply Celia Cruz as she was commonly known. Cruz rose to fame in her native Cuba during the 1950's as a singer of guarachas, a Cuban form of song that features rapid tempos and often comic or picaresque lyrics. That earned her the nickname La Guarachera de Cuba, but in the decades that followed, she became known internationally as the Queen of Salsa due to her prolific contributions to Latin music. She has sold over 10 million records, making her one of the best-selling Latin music artists of her generation. Her 1977 record Only They Could Have Made This Album (Vaya Records) with bandleader and trombonist Willie Colón was one of the finest of their many collaborations, showcasing both artists at the peak of their careers. Only They Could Have Made This Album was pressed at Memphis Record Pressing on 180 gram black vinyl, and has been out of print on LP since its original release; Craft's reissue is limited to 1200 copies worldwide. The MRP pressing was glossy with defect-free surfaces, and provided perfect playback across my system.
Celia Cruz has quite a commanding vocal presence throughout; her dynamic and soulful vocals are perfectly centered in the soundstage and powerfully presented, and she's surrounded by a trio of male backup singers who provide a truly sympathetic accompaniment. The cadre of trombones led by Willie Colón frequently punctuate a dense background of heavy Latin percussion that includes congas, bongos, and timbales. This music is joyfully performed by Celia Cruz and her entire cast, and it has a remarkable air of familiarity to it, such that I'm absolutely certain I've heard many of these songs on a number of occasions, whether in restaurants or other social settings. Only They Could Have Made This Album comes highly recommended, and will be treasured by fans of Celia Cruz and Latin music as well.
Record Day 2025 is Virtually Upon Us!
Quantities for all of Craft's RSD 2025 releases are strictly limited, so if any of these interest you in the least, I'd hurry along on Saturday morning to my nearest independent record store. I've been fascinated by all the uber-cool Jazz Dispensary releases, and plan on heading to Charleston's Monster Music to grab a copy of Night Lights for myself! Craft again has forged a slate of desirably collectible releases, which are not only musically satisfying, but also visually stimulating—the five colored vinyl LPs are exceptionally beautiful! Thanks again to Jacob Kossak of Craft Recordings for his consideration and assistance. Happy hunting!
Craft Recordings
All images courtesy of Craft Recordings.
