Roxy Music Announces Blu-ray Release of Classic *Avalon* Album with Enhanced Audio Mixes
Roxy Music's seminal 1982 album Avalon is set to receive a highly anticipated Blu-ray release, featuring immersive Dolby Atmos and 5.1 Surround Sound mixes by the legendary Bob Clearmountain. This exclusive edition, number 36 in the SDE Surround Series, promises to deliver an unprecedented listening experience that brings new life to the classic record.
Recorded between 1981 and 1982 at Compass Point Studios in Nassau, Bahamas, Avalon stands as a pinnacle in Roxy Music's discography, featuring hits like "More Than This," "Avalon," and "Take a Chance with Me." The album not only topped the UK charts for three consecutive weeks but also sold a million copies in the United States, cementing its legacy in rock history.
The Blu-ray includes the Grammy-nominated Dolby Atmos Mix created in 2024, the renowned 2003 DTS-HD 5.1 Surround Sound Mix, and the original 1982 stereo mix—all in high-resolution audio formats. The new Atmos Mix, overseen by Bryan Ferry and co-producer Rhett Davies, received enthusiastic approval from the band. When Bob Clearmountain learned about the Blu-ray release, he expressed excitement that listeners would finally hear Avalon in its true quality, highlighting the superior compression and bandwidth of physical media over streaming.
Audiophiles will appreciate that the Dolby Atmos version on Blu-ray is encoded in Dolby TrueHD Atmos, offering a bit rate up to 8000 kbits/s—ten times higher than the streaming version's Dolby Digital Plus at 768 kbits/s. Additionally, the multi-track tapes for "India" were located, ensuring an authentic Atmos mix rather than an upmix, which enhances the overall immersive experience.
Packaged in a deluxe hardcover mediabook and accompanied by a collectible SDE Surround Series slipcase, this limited edition Blu-ray is a must-have for fans and collectors alike. There's also an option to bundle this release with the next installment in the SDE Surround Series, album number 37—an exciting mid-80s release that is yet to be announced.
The pre-order window for the Avalon Blu-ray closes on Friday, 21 February 2025, with the official release date set for 9 May 2025. This exclusive offering is available only through the SDE shop, providing a unique opportunity to experience one of the greatest albums of all time in unparalleled audio quality.
