The Kinks release “Mastered for iTunes” editions of seven early albums

Dan Weir

7 years ago

David Redfern/Redferns

David Redfern/RedfernsAs expected, new “Mastered for iTunes” versions of seven early Kinks albums were released today and are available at various digital music outlets and streaming services. The titles are the band’s 1964 debut, Kinks, as well as 1965’s Kinda Kinks and The Kink Kontroversy, 1966’s Face to Face, 1967’s Something Else by The Kinks, 1970’s Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One and 1971’s Percy.

The albums were newly mastered for iTunes and high-def audio using the original analog tapes.

In conjunction with the release of the digitally remastered albums, an extended video featuring Kinks frontman Ray Davies listening to some of the updated tracks has been posted on the band’s Facebook page.

At the start of the clip, Ray is played a snippet of the original recording of the band’s first hit, “You Really Got Me,” and then part of the remastered version.

“Brings out the sound brilliantly,” says Davies, adding, “When that record went over the radio originally, it was like the world had changed, you know, the apocalypse was upon us.”

Davies is then played segments of old and new versions of The Kinks’ 1966 single “Sunny Afternoon.”

“They knew it was us as soon as they heard that, that it was The Kinks’ ‘Sunny Afternoon,'” Davies notes as the song’s intro plays. “So, intros are really important…Because of streaming I don’t think many records have intros. But it’s like a door opening: ‘This is what the film’s gonna be about.’ And you recognize that first few seconds of the song.”

Meanwhile, you can enter a contest to win an Epiphone guitar signed by Ray and other Kinks collectibles by subscribing to the band’s email database at TheKinks.info. Entries will be accepted until Thursday, April 5.