For an artist of Paul McCartney's standing, surprisingly few of his albums have been available in 'surround sound' over the years.

In the 1970s, Quad Mixes of Band on the Run and Venus and Mars were available for a short period on vinyl and in the mid-90s these same 4.0 mixes were subsequently resurrected via so called DTS-CDs.

When the 'format wars' of the early 'noughties' happened - I'm talking SACD vs DVD-Audio - many labels scrambled to remix new (and sometimes old) albums into 5.1 surround to show off the capabilities of these new discs, but that never happened with any Paul McCartney album, nor any Wings album (or for that matter any Beatles album). However in 2007, fans were treated to new 5.1 mixes (by Paul Hicks) of many Paul McCartney and Wings' singles thanks to the release of the excellent The McCartney Years video collection, which was an impressive 3xDVD package.

The start of the Archive Collection in 2010 (with Band and the Run), was an opportunity to perhaps consider 5.1 mixes as part of the offering, but Paul and his team preferred to focus on remastered stereo audio, uncovering demos and unreleased tracks and video content.

Everything changed for the 50th anniversary of Band on the Run, which was mixed in Dolby Atmos (effectively skipping 5.1) by Giles Martin and Steve Orchard, although this was only made available on streaming. Venus and Mars followed earlier this year, for its 50th and even the One Hand Clapping project made it on DSPs in Atmos. This is great news, but a little frustrating, because these mixes were remained exclusive to streaming, with no physical product.

Which is why I'm so excited about WINGS, the newly announced 'Definitive Self-titled Anthology' by Paul McCartney and Wings, because as well as vinyl and CD formats, Paul has chosen to release the full 32-track version of this collection on a blu-ray audio with every song in Dolby Atmos, 5.1 and hi-res stereo! This is absolutely amazing news!!

This blu-ray is a limited edition which is available only via the SDE shop and Paul McCartney online stores, so make sure you don't miss the boat and get your pre-order in!

Bundle of T.Rex ELECTRIC WARRIOR (RHINO HIGH FIDELITY R2R) and Yes THE YES ALBUM (RHINO HIGH FIDELITY R2R)
Each Title Strictly Limited To 500

Widely considered Marc Bolan’s defining work, ELECTRIC WARRIOR introduced T. Rex’s glam-rock swagger to the world with hits like “Get It On” and “Jeepster.” The album topped the U.K. charts, became a touchstone of the glam era, and remains a high point of Bolan’s legacy.

THE YES ALBUM marked the band’s breakthrough as guitarist Steve Howe joined and the group embraced a more expansive sound. Featuring classics like “Yours Is No Disgrace” and “I’ve Seen All Good People,” the album set Yes on the path to becoming one of the world’s most influential and successful progressive rock bands.

We selected these records for their dynamic and progressive sound, as well as their innovative use of pioneering techniques by producers Tony Visconti (T.Rex) and Eddie Offord (Yes). Visconti employed various sonic techniques, such as flanging and backwards guitars, to create a unique sound, enhanced by contributions from notable session musicians. While Offord featured Anderson, Howe, and Squire singing three-part vocal harmony throughout the record, Squire's melodic bass and Bill Bruford's spacious drumming.

ABOUT REEL-TO-REEL
Once the gold standard for serious listeners, reel-to-reel delivers studio-quality sound — bringing the master tape experience into your home.

Each Reel-to-Reel title is duplicated in real time from a 1:1 copy of the original flat analog master tape, faithfully reflecting the source. The result is a master-quality listening experience that captures the full dynamics of the recording without the surface noise or groove wear of vinyl. Produced to the IEC standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on 10.5-inch metal reels, these releases are designed for exceptional longevity when stored in a cool, clean place away from magnetic fields.

These 15 i.p.s. half-track 1/4" reel-to-reel tapes are produced to the IEC equalization standard on premium RTM LPR90 tape stock and housed on 10.5" metal reels. These releases are designed for exceptional longevity when stored in a cool, clean place away from magnetic fields.

Originating in Germany in 1928, the reel-to-reel recording process produces pristine sound. It has been favored by audiophiles and musicians since its commercial debut in the late 1940s, with pioneers like Jack Mullin and Ampex introducing this format to singer Bing Crosby. The magnetic tape format gave musicians the ability to re-record, erase, and edit their recordings—features that had not been available before.

Reel-to-Reel builds on Rhino High Fidelity’s dedication to premium sound, pairing essential albums with the unrivaled warmth of reel-to-reel. Celebrating the enduring appeal of analog sound, the series offers collectors a format that preserves music exactly as it was meant to be heard.