Vault Finds

Title: Trapped And Unwrapped (2CD Expanded Edition)

Artist: Friends Again

Label: Cherry Red Records

original release: 1984 on Mercury Records

re-issued: 2014

Originally released back in 84', the 2CD Expanded Edition of “Trapped And Unwrapped” is a magnificent celebration of Glasgow's jangle pop movement. Serving as a pinnacle piece of sophisticated, guitar-driven indie pop, this re-issue offers a deep dive into the band's brief but bright era before members splintered into other iconic Scottish outfits.

The backstory of Friends Again is a legendary chapter in new wave music history. Following this debut studio album, the band split up, paving the way for the creation of celebrated acts like Love and Money and The Bathers. This definitive collection honors that original creative spark, beautifully remastered from the original production tapes by the band’s own Paul McGeechan to ensure every lush arrangement sounds crisper than ever.

This specific expanded release from Cherry Red Records has become an essential standalone collectible for serious collectors, holding a distinct edge over past pressings. While the incredibly rare, long out-of-print 2001 Japan CD reissue only contained the standard album tracks and selected bonus cuts, this UK archive edition blows the vault wide open. This original UK Cherry Red pressing serves as the foundational, internationally sought-after definitive physical archive.

The Remastered Classic: Features a crisp, dynamic reproduction of the original 12-track album, making hits like "Honey At The Core" and "State Of Art" feel brand new.

• Rare B-Sides and 12" Mixes: Compiles highly sought-after extended configurations and single-only tracks that showcase the band's sonic experimentation for radio and club play.

• The Archival Vault Demos: Includes a notable second disc featuring three completely unreleased session demos alongside pristine instrumental versions.

• Definitive Packaging: Complete with a comprehensive booklet featuring expanded sleeve notes, rare artwork, and a detailed UK discography.

Title: Eurkea (2CD Expanded EDition)

Artist: The Bible

Label: Cherry Red Records

CDBRED 531

original release: 1988 on Chrysalis Records

re-issued 2012 

Originally released back in 88’ The 2CD Expanded Edition of  “EUREKA” is a faithful reproduction of the LP that includes some highly collectible bonus songs that have long been sought after. This re-issue offers a deep dive into the band's peak era under Chrysalis Records and considered a strong follow up from their debut album “Walking The Ghost Back Home”.

While the original 1988 vinyl release contained 10 tracks (with early CD editions adding "White Feathers" and "Up In Smoke" as standard CD bonus tracks), this expanded edition provides a treasure trove of rare, unreleased, and hard-to-find material across two discs.

Rare B-Sides and Single-Only Tracks

The definitive collection of B-sides from the Eureka era singles ("Honey Be Good", "Skywriting", and "Crystal Palace") are compiled here. Many of these tracks were only available vinyl configurations and subsequently included on some CD singles.

The expanded edition highlights how the band experimented with their sound for club play and radio promotion, featuring rare mixes that did not appear on the original album release.

• "Graceland (Remix Version)" & "Graceland (Extended New Version)": These versions showcase different production treatments of the track.

• "Skywriting (Alt Version)": An alternate take on the album’s opening track.

• "King Chicago (New Version)" & "Glorybound (New Version)": Fresh re-recorded interpretations of older tracks. 

A notable aspects of the expanded second disc is the inclusion of the band's diverse covers that includes; 

• Abraham, Martin And John

• I'm So Lonesome (I Could Cry).

• Motherless Child

• On Broadway

Title: ..From Across The Kitchen Table

Artist: The Pale Fountains

Label: Virgin Records

EMI-TOCP 70159

original release: 1985

re-issued 2006 

This album is a masterclass in sophisticated pop, reissued here in its full original glory. As a staple of the formative New Wave movement, The Pale Fountains bridged the gap between indie-pop and orchestral brilliance. This 2006 Japanese pressing—released alongside their equally prized debut, Pacific Street—faithfully reproduces the mini-LP aesthetic with a digital remaster that finally captures the sonic depth the 80s pressings often lacked.

The backstory of this album is as legendary as the music itself. Dissatisfied with the initial sessions, the band brought in Ian Broudie to overhaul several tracks. This led to the iconic "album version" of the title track—a lively, lushly arranged masterpiece that stood in stark contrast to the stripped-back 1985 original.

This specific Japan only reissue has become a definitive collectible. It balances that high-production Broudie sheen with the meticulous attention to detail only a Japanese "Paper Sleeve" release can provide. While fans often debate which version reigns supreme, there is no denying that this CD is an essential piece of New Wave history.

• Authentic Mini-LP Packaging: A faithful "Paper Sleeve" reproduction of the 1985 UK artwork.

• Superior Digital Remastering: Audiophile-grade sound that brings out the "sonic beauty" and orchestral textures of the Ian Broudie production.

• The Broudie Sessions: Includes the definitive, lively arrangements (including the title track) that were re-recorded to replace the original, more sparse 1985 sessions.

Title: Songs From The Big Chair (2CD Deluxe Edition - Remastered)

Artist: Tears For Fears

Label: Mercury / Universal Records

983 073-9

original release: 1985

re-issued 2006

Whether you’re a long-time new wave fan or a dedicated crate-digger, few albums capture the era's magic quite like Tears for Fears’ Songs from the Big Chair. While the original 1985 release defined a generation, the 2CD Deluxe Edition is the version that truly belongs on a collector's shelf—especially for those of us in the Philippines still chasing that perfect original sound.

This isn't just another reissue; it’s a deep dive into the creative peak of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith. Following the moody synth-pop of The Hurting, this album was the moment the band truly exploded globally, blending polished pop-rock with a sophistication that still sounds fresh today.

What’s Inside the Set?

• Disc 1: The Remastered Album – The audio has been given a serious lift. You’ll hear every layer of Chris Hughes’ legendary production, with improved dynamics that make the hits feel brand new.

• Disc 2: The Deep Cuts – This is where the real value lies for serious fans. It’s packed with rare B-sides, those iconic extended 12-inch mixes, and bonus material that is otherwise incredibly hard to find.

Hearing "Shout," "Everybody Wants to Rule the World," and "Head Over Heels" in this remastered format is a revelation for audiophiles. The clarity is stunning, highlighting why this record remains a benchmark for 80's production.

For those looking to round out their library with premium, high-quality releases, this deluxe edition bridges the gap between nostalgia and high-fidelity sound. It’s a quintessential piece of music history that feels right at home in any serious CD collection.

Title: Long Live The New Flesh

Artist: Flesh For Lulu

Label: Beggars Banquet (licensed through Jade Music Co. Ltd.)

ALCB-15 

original release: 1987

re-issued 1990

Every now and then, we stumble upon genuine treasures during our crate-digging adventures, and this CD is no exception. Originally released in 1987, "Long Live The New Flesh" is the third studio album from Flesh For Lulu. It captures a pivotal moment in the band's career when they transitioned to the legendary Beggars Banquet label, seeking the mainstream breakthrough they had long pursued. In a strategic move, the band shifted their creative focus, decidedly targeting the United States as their primary market. That gamble paid off through a stroke of cinematic luck. Their anthemic track "I Go Crazy" was selected for the soundtrack of the 1987 film Some Kind of Wonderful, written and produced by the king of teen cinema, John Hughes. Featuring a cast of budding stars including Eric Stoltz, Mary Stuart Masterson, and Lea Thompson, the movie became a cornerstone of 80s pop culture.

This specific 1990 Japanese reissue is a fascinating artifact for music historians and collectors alike. Now a deleted and rare release, this version is a standout due to its unique configuration which differs significantly from the standard U.K. and U.S. editions.

       This version features the track "Idol," which was originally released as a standalone single in 1987. Its presence here turns the CD into a "hybrid" release that captures more of the band's output from that era. Interestingly, this version omits "Postcards From Paradise," arguably one of their most famous and successful songs.

      Because of these specific tracklist alterations, the ALCB-15 pressing proves to be a standalone collectible. It represents a specific moment in the Japanese market's curation of Western alternative music.