Ultravox - Quartet - 5.1 DVD surround release

Ultravox's influential 1982 album "Quartet" has been reissued in a deluxe box set on July 21st. The album, which marked their third collaboration with Midge Ure, was produced by George Martin and engineered by Geoff Emerick in AIR studios. It spawned four UK Top 20 singles: "Reap the Wild Wind," "We Came to Dance," "Visions in Blue," and "Hymn." The original artwork by Peter Saville, also featured in their previous two albums, will be included in the reissue.

The reissue comes in a massive 6 CD + 1 DVD NTSC-0 box set, featuring various versions of the album. It includes the original 1982 version, a new stereo remix by Steven Wilson, a CD of B-sides and rarities, cassette rehearsals of work in progress, and two CDs of a newly mixed concert recorded at Hammersmith Odeon in December 1982. The DVD contains Steven Wilson's 5.1 surround mix of "Quartet" and the album's B-sides. Both the new and original mixes are available in high-resolution audio, which appears to be 96kHz / 24-bit. With a total of 70 tracks, including 47 previously unreleased recordings, the 12”x12” box set also includes a 20-page booklet and a reproduction of the Quartet tour program.

For vinyl enthusiasts, there's a 4LP edition pressed on clear vinyl, featuring 36 tracks, including 17 previously unreleased ones. It includes the full Hammersmith show, a selection of B-sides and rarities, and the original version of the album. There's also a 2LP version pressed at half-speed, comprising the original 1982 mix and a curated second LP of A-sides, B-sides, and live tracks. Additionally, a special vinyl picture disc edition is exclusively available through the band's official shop.

Ultravox's "Quartet" initially didn't match the success of its predecessors "Vienna" and "Rage in Eden." However, over the decades, it has gained recognition as a classic album. With four successful singles out of nine tracks, the reissue celebrates the album's enduring status. The release was originally scheduled for May 5th but was subsequently pushed back. This is clearly a must have for fans of the band, surround sound enthusiasts, especially collectors of Steven Wilson mixes, along with new wave aficionados.

Released July 21, 2023.

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 About the Author

Wesley is a lifelong music enthusiast. He started his career in the recording industry in New York City as an audio engineer, producer, and studio manager. Subsequently he toured across America as a guitarist with the short-lived band Land's Crossing. After many years in the technology sector and amassing a substantial vinyl and CD collection, he delved into immersive audio and created Hi-Res Edition to share with other listeners about the sound quality and discrete mixes available on many formats. He recently upgraded his system to 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos and continues to seek out and share about the best sounding releases.