John Sykes/Ultra Rare Studio Recordings Upgrade

This smash-hit compilation of hidden gems has reached its ultimate evolution! Now available on a massive 3-CD set, featuring even more rare recordings, this album permanently preserves all 49 stereo soundboards. While the record-breaking tribute album “Hidden Treasures 1985-2021” was a two-disc compilation of rare tracks from the post-Whitesnake era, this album expands on that. From his first recordings with Streetfighter to his final album, “Sy-Ops,” this three-disc set offers a bird’s-eye view of the musical career of the genius guitarist John Sykes. Let’s dive right in. DISC 1: Very Early Streetfighter (1 song) ★New★ This album begins with new material not available on the previous release, “Zodiac 730.” It features Streetfighter, Sykes’ debut band. STREETFIGHTER is a legendary NWOBHM band, and the only recordings left behind are “She’s No Angel,” which was contributed to the compilation album “NEW ELECTRIC WARRIORS,” and the EP “CRAZY DREAM.” This album includes “She’s No Angel,” which was Sykes’ first recording, allowing you to enjoy NWOBHM songs that would later become TYGERS OF PAN TANG. However, recent research suggests that the musicians playing on the EP “CRAZY DREAM” were not Sykes but rather the twins Mick Kremastoules and Dave Senczak, and they are not included on this album.) DISC 1: JOHN SLOMAN’S BADLANDS (3 songs) ★New★ Next up is BADLANDS, which John Sloman joined after leaving TYGERS OF PAN TANG. However, Jake E. Lee was part of a different band with the same name, led by John Sloman, with other members Neil Murray (bass), John Malone (drums), and Graham Preece (keyboards). This band also featured Robin George and Gary Moore, but Sykes recorded four demos in May 1982. This release features those four tracks from the best masters. These are truly treasures, exceeding their rarity. Sykes’s compositions and guitar work have shed the local NWOBHM influence to achieve a major feel, and they complement Sloman’s vocals, reminiscent of Eric Martin. Since he had little involvement in THIN LIZZY’s songwriting, these four tracks are also the missing link between TYGERS OF PAN TANG and WHITESNAKE. DISC 1: Unofficial “1987” Demo/Rehearsal (9 takes). The era skips over to WHITESNAKE. This section features nine demo tracks from “1987 (SERPENS ALBUS).” This section is identical to the previous release, “Zodiac 730,” so if you’ve already experienced it, please skip ahead. While a large number of “SERPENS ALBUS” demos were included on the official 30th anniversary release, this release is completely different. These are full-length demos recorded in advanced stages of production, without any of the added fussiness of the official release, providing a realistic portrayal of the production process. Moreover, this release boasts the highest quality. While the takes are the same as the original label release, the sound, re-digitized using modern technology from the original master, is a world apart. This is a treasured demo that lets you feel David Coverdale’s breath up close and John Sykes’ guitar playing directly into your brain. DISC 1: BLUE MURDER Demo (3 Takes) ★New★ The fourth release is BLUE MURDER, who have just gone solo. Six tracks were included on the previous album, “Zodiac 730,” but this release adds two more. The first is “Black Hearted Woman Jam,” a treasured demo released by Tony Franklin, a brutal instrumental jam. While the original Franklin tape was significantly out of tune, this release has been perfectly tuned and preserved in its highest quality. The other is “White Cliffs of Dover Jam,” a track performed during a TV appearance by BLUE MURDER. While essentially a clarinet solo by Franklin, it’s actually a trio performance featuring percussion (Carmine Appice) and acoustic guitar (Sykes). DISC 2: BLUE MURDER Demos (Cozy Tapes: 5 tracks) Disc 2 begins with another BLUE MURDER track. The five tracks included here are the same as those on the previous album, “Zodiac 730,” and were transcribed from a TEAC MR60 cassette tape owned by the late Cozy Powell. The key feature is the “Cozy Tape,” which offers official-grade quality that’s on a whole new level compared to the worn-out, rough sound of previous recordings. What’s more, the content is incredible. The album tracks feature arrangements and phrases that differ from the final versions, and Cozy’s signature bass drum hits are truly powerful. And, above all, there are unreleased tracks! One track in particular, “It’s Too Late,” is sung by Ray Gillan! This is a unique studio recording featuring Sykes and Ray layering their sounds, and this is the master-quality version. The melodic and lively “Rockin’ And Rollin’ Our Life Away” is also a wonderful track that’s a shame to be wasted. This is a treasured take that truly demonstrates just how powerful Sykes was at the time, producing masterpieces. DISC 2: “OUT OF MY TREE” Rough Mixes (5 Tracks) ★New★ DISC 2 is also packed with new material. Starting with five alternate versions of his first solo album, “OUT OF MY TREE,” the album is of completely official quality, rivaling the full album in both finish and sound quality, even playing them on shuffle. Of course, none of the takes are identical to the final album tracks. For example, “Standing at the Crossroads” is a longer version with vivid counting and a refrain at the end, and “She’s All Action” also features an extra bass phrase from the intro. Even more significant are the backing vocals; in the final version, two Sykes members sing interplaying vocals, but on this release, only one is present. The songs are significantly cleaner and have a different feel. DISC 2: “LOVELAND” Rough Mixes (5 Tracks) ★New★ Also included are rough mixes of his next album, “LOVELAND.” This track is even more worth listening to, and a must-listen is “Don’t Say Goodbye (Cancelled Master with John Lennon).” This masterpiece, which was the core of the “LOVELAND” project, is tragically never officially released in its original form. Sykes originally wrote the song inspired by the “Imagine” documentary video, and sampled Lennon’s voice (from the film “Imagine”). However, this caused problems just before release, and a version without Lennon’s voice was quickly created and released. This is the “Lennon-voiced version” that was originally supposed to be included on the album. Moreover, it’s the leaked master of the finished version, which has already undergone final mixing. This means you can truly hear the “original, official track.” DISC 2: Studio version of “Please Don’t Leave Me” sung by Sykes (1 track) ★New★ While “OUT OF MY TREE” and “LOVELAND” have been featured on gift albums, the final track on DISC 2, “Please Don’t Leave Me (John Sykes Vocal Remix),” is a completely new release. This is the studio version of the classic ballad “Please Don’t Leave Me” featuring Sykes on vocals. Sykes has released several studio recordings, but all of them were sung by Phil Lynott, who only sang live. This take was produced for that occasion. By mixing the backing from “LOVELAND” with the vocals from “BAD BOY LIVE,” the previously unrealized “Studio version sung by Sykes” is created. DISC 3: Remix Live (4 tracks), featuring Coverdale again. The final track, DUSC 3, is entirely identical to the previous release. If you’ve already experienced it, please skip ahead. And opening the album is a live reunion with David Coverdale, which caused quite a stir on the previous album! Of course, Sykes and Coverdale never reconciled until the end, and a reunion never materialized, but this album uses the latest AI technology to remix the music, bringing to life a “what if” live encounter. Please note that while it is AI, it is not the trendy generated AI. Based on the official live album “BAD BOY LIVE!”, it mixes in the vocal track from WHITESNAKE’s “LIVE… IN THE STILL OF THE NIGHT.” It is a 100% authentic reconstruction using only the band’s voices and performances. Both live performances were recorded in 2004, and the rhythm section is the same: Marco Mendoza and Tommy Aldridge. It truly embodies the “reunion that could have happened” through the sound of the band itself. The content is simply overwhelming. Led by Sykes’s thick Gibson guitar, Coverdale begins to sing… Yes, that’s it! How long have we been waiting for this moment? And even more so, the chorus. Of course, Coverdale is the main focus, but Sykes’ voice from “BAD BOY LIVE!” is also partially preserved as a chorus. The magic of the two voices overlapping evokes a “reunion!” feeling even more than the guitar. DISC 3: Official Rare Tracks (5 Tracks) Packed with Valuable Collaborations The next section is the official rare track collection “Collaboration Tracks.” Sykes, a prolific producer, had few extracurricular activities, especially in the 40 years since Whitesnake, and has only recorded five tracks in this album. This release collects all five official takes at once. The highlights include the spectacular collaborations with various musicians. For example, on “Heaven’s Missing an Angel,” Glenn Hughes’ vocals, the thumping guitar, and Sykes’s chorus voice are a perfect match. On “God of War,” he collaborates with the legendary Zakk Wylde. Both heroes, both Les Paul players, were known for their distinctive picking harmonics. While they may seem similar, their distinct personalities are clearly evident in this masterpiece. And then there’s the classic “Still Got the Blues.” This take was taken during a Gary Moore tribute album, featuring vocals by THUNDER’s Danny Bowes. The emotional outpouring on this beloved Gary Moore classic is unparalleled. DISC 3: Track Collection from the Posthumous “SY-OPS” (5 takes + alpha). The final section is dedicated to the posthumous album “SY-OPS.” While rumored to be coming, it never received a release, but three tracks (plus alpha) have been released online as a preview of its release. This disc covers it all. It includes “Out Alive (2 versions),” “Dawning of a Brand New Day,” and “Gates of Hell,” as well as the “Album Sampler,” a preview audio compilation of excerpts from each album. It features melodies and epic phrases that are reminiscent of Sykes, as well as reggae-style songs. It’s unclear whether the day will come when “SY-OPS” will actually be released, but it’s sure to be a masterpiece. The album concludes with a voiceover message announcing the release of “SY-OPS” and expressing gratitude to fans who have waited so long, with the words “See you soon” that never came true.It is a treasure collection of 49 takes, 3 hours, 54 minutes, and 50 seconds. Although it omits TYGERS OF PANTANG, which has a rich official release, and THIN LIZZY, which has a huge number of demos (please enjoy them in our “THUNDER AND LIGHTNING DEMOS” and “THE SUN GOES DOWN”), it is a big 3-disc set that covers the entire career. In addition to the complete recording of the previous edition, which was a record-breaking hit, 19 more takes and 1 hour and 18 minutes have been added. This is a super-decisive edition that permanently preserves all of them in the highest quality ever. An expansion of the smash-hit rare track collection. 19 new songs have been added, including the expanded BLUE MURDER demo, “Don’t Say Goodbye” with John Lennon, and the studio version of “Please Don’t Leave Me” sung by Sykes, making it a huge collection of treasures from the debut band STREETFIGHTER to their posthumous works. It is a 3-CD set of the highest peak masters, with a total of 49 songs and 3 hours and 55 minutes. Ultra Rare Studio Recordings STEREO SBD UPGRADE & LONGER DISC 1 (78:06) STREETFIGHTER 1. She’s No Angel　★New★ JOHN SLOMAN’S BADLANDS Demos 2. Laughing In Your Face　★New★ 3. Not Guilty　★New★ 4. Which One Will Save Us Now　★New★ 5. Lost Without Your Love ★New★ WHITESNAKE Demos 6. Bad Boys (Rehearsal Take) 7. Give Me All Your Love (Rehearsal Take) 8. Is This Love (Rehearsal Take) 9. Still Of The Night 10. Looking For Love 11. Bad Boys 12. Is This Love 13. Crying In The Rain 14. Give Me All Your Love (Instrumental) ‘BLUE MURDER’ Demos 15. Black Hearted Woman Jam　★New★ 16. Lady Luck 17. White Cliffs Of Dover Jam　★New DISC 2 (79:58) ‘BLUE MURDER’ Demos (from Cozy’s Tape) 1. It’s Too Late (with Ray Gillen) 2. Ptolemy 3. Riot 4. Out Of Love 5. Rockin’ And Rollin’ Our Life Away ‘OUT OF MY TREE’ Rough Mix 6. Do Or Die　★New★ 7. If You Ever Need Love　★New★ 8. She’s All Action　★New★ 9. Standing At The Crossroads (Long Version)　★New★ 10. Soul Stealer　★New★ ‘LOVELAND’ Rough Mix 11. Don’t Hurt Me This Way (Long Version)　★New★ 12. Don’t Say Goodbye (Demo with John Lennon)　★New★ 13. Thank You For The Love ★New★ 14. Till The Day I Die ★New★ 15. I’ll Be Waiting ★New★ 16. Don’t Say Goodbye (Cancelled Master with John Lennon) ★New★ 17. Please Don’t Leave Me (John Sykes Vocal Remix) ★New★ DISC 3 (76:50) Remix Live 2004 1. Bad Boys (with David Coverdale) 2. Crying In The Rain (with David Coverdale) 3. Is This Love (with David Coverdale) 4. Still Of The Night (with David Coverdale) Collaboration Tracks 5. Pride and Joy (with Ron Young) 6. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (with Mars Lasar) 7. Heaven’s Missing an Angel (with Glenn Hughes) 8. God of War (with Zakk Wylde) 9. Still Got The Blues (with Danny Bowes) ‘SY-OPS’ Album Tracks 10. Out Alive 11. Dawning Of A Brand New Day 12. Gates Of Hell 13. Out Alive (Different Mix) 14. Album Sampler 15. Message to the Fans STEREO SOUNDBOARD RECORDING