For ardent fans of John Lennon and his profound musical journey, 2024 brings an exciting opportunity to delve deeper into one of his most introspective and creatively fertile periods. The John Lennon Estate and Universal Music Recordings are set to release JOHN LENNON – MIND GAMES – THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION, a definitive edition of the iconic album “Mind Games”. This isn’t just a simple reissue; it’s an expansive exploration designed to offer an unparalleled listening experience and insight into the making of this seminal work.
This limited edition 10-inch square Box Set is a treasure trove for any serious music enthusiast. Encased within are 6 CDs and 2 HD Audio Blu-rays, accompanied by a meticulously crafted 136-page hardback book. Adding to its collectibility are reproductions of original 1973 marketing materials – a triptych poster and postcard-sized advert artworks – and a unique, individually numbered Citizen of Nutopia ID Card, a playful nod to Lennon’s imagined conceptual country.
The musical heart of this collection lies within the six CDs, thoughtfully curated to present “Mind Games” from every conceivable angle. Disc 1 features The Ultimate Mixes, offering a fresh, vibrant take on the original album tracks. The Elemental Mixes on CD2 strip the songs down to their core components, highlighting the raw essence of Lennon’s songwriting and performance. CD3, The Elements Mixes, takes this deconstruction further, allowing listeners to isolate and appreciate individual instrumental and vocal layers.
For those interested in the creative process, The Evolution Documentary on CD4 provides a fascinating journey through the development of each song, likely incorporating studio chatter, demos, and alternate takes. The Raw Studio Mixes on CD5 present the tracks in their most immediate and unpolished form, capturing the energy of the original recording sessions. Finally, The Out-takes on CD6 offer a glimpse into alternate versions and studio experiments, revealing the depth of material recorded during the “Mind Games” era.
The two Audio Blu-rays elevate the listening experience to new heights. They contain High Definition 24/192 Stereo, 24/192 5.1 Surround, and immersive Dolby Atmos versions of all the tracks featured on the CDs. Furthermore, they include a newly remastered 2024 version of the ‘Mind Games’ music video and a special ‘You Are Here’ (additional out-take) tape boxes music video, adding visual dimensions to the auditory feast.
[Insert an image here of the Mind Games album cover or John Lennon during the Mind Games era]
The accompanying 136-page glossy, hardback coffee-table book is far more than just liner notes. It delves into the story behind the album’s creation, drawing from extensive archive interviews with John & Yoko Ono Lennon, providing firsthand accounts of the writing and recording process. Complementing these historical insights are brand-new interviews with the musicians and engineers who contributed to “Mind Games”. The book is also visually rich, featuring exclusive, never-before-seen photographs by Bob Gruen, alongside unseen photos, lyrics, letters, original tape boxes, and memorabilia from the John Lennon & Yoko Ono Lennon Archives. This book promises to be an essential companion, offering context and depth to the music.
This ambitious project is produced by Sean Ono Lennon, ensuring a respectful and insightful approach to his father’s legacy. The mixing and engineering are helmed by Triple GRAMMY-Award winner Paul Hicks, alongside Sam Gannon and Rob Stevens, guaranteeing a high-fidelity sonic experience. Mastering for stereo by Alex Wharton at Abbey Road Studios and 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos mastering by Sam Gannon further underscore the commitment to audio excellence.
Tracklisting:
CD1 • The Ultimate Mixes
- Mind Games
- Tight A$
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry)
- One Day (At A Time)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)
- Nutopian International Anthem
- Intuition
- Out The Blue
- Only People
- I Know (I Know)
- You Are Here
- Meat City
CD2 • The Elemental Mixes
- Mind Games (Elemental Mix)
- Tight A$ (Elemental Mix)
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) (Elemental Mix)
- One Day (At A Time) (Elemental Mix)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple) (Elemental Mix)
- Nutopian International Anthem (Elemental Mix)
- Intuition (Elemental Mix)
- Out The Blue (Elemental Mix)
- Only People (Elemental Mix)
- I Know (I Know) (Elemental Mix)
- You Are Here (Elemental Mix)
- Meat City (Elemental Mix)
CD3 • The Elements Mixes
- Mind Games (Elements Mixes)
- Tight A$ (Elements Mixes)
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) (Elements Mixes)
- One Day (At A Time) (Elements Mixes)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple) (Elements Mixes)
- Nutopian International Anthem (Elements Mixes)
- Intuition (Elements Mixes)
- Out The Blue (Elements Mixes)
- Only People (Elements Mixes)
- I Know (I Know) (Elements Mixes)
- You Are Here (Elements Mixes)
- Meat City (Elements Mixes)
CD4 • The Evolution Documentary
- Mind Games (Evolution Documentary)
- Tight A$ (Evolution Documentary)
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) (Evolution Documentary)
- One Day (At A Time) (Evolution Documentary)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple) (Evolution Documentary)
- Nutopian International Anthem (Evolution Documentary)
- Intuition (Evolution Documentary)
- Out The Blue (Evolution Documentary)
- Only People (Evolution Documentary)
- I Know (I Know) (Evolution Documentary)
- You Are Here (Evolution Documentary)
- Meat City (Evolution Documentary)
CD5 • The Raw Studio Mixes
- Mind Games (Raw Studio Mix)
- Tight A$ (Raw Studio Mix)
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) (Raw Studio Mix)
- One Day (At A Time) (Raw Studio Mix)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple) (Raw Studio Mix)
- Nutopian International Anthem (Raw Studio Mix)
- Intuition (Raw Studio Mix)
- Out The Blue (Raw Studio Mix)
- Only People (Raw Studio Mix)
- I Know (I Know) (Raw Studio Mix)
- You Are Here (Raw Studio Mix)
- Meat City (Raw Studio Mix)
CD6 • The Out-takes
- Mind Games (Out-take, Take 7)
- Tight A$ (Out-take, Take 6)
- Aisumasen (I’m Sorry) (Out-take, Take 2)
- One Day (At A Time) (Out-take, Take 18)
- Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple) (Out-take, Take 15)
- Declaration Of Nutopia (Out-take, Take 1)
- Intuition (Out-take, Take 12)
- Out The Blue (Out-take, Take 15)
- Only People (Out-take, Take 12)
- I Know (I Know) (Out-take, Take 22)
- You Are Here (Out-take, Take 5)
- Meat City (Out-take, Take 16)
Blu-Rays 1 & 2 mirror the audio content of the CDs in High Definition 24/192 Stereo, 24/192 5.1 Surround, and 24/48 Dolby Atmos, alongside the remastered music videos.
Limited to 4 per customer, John Lennon – Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection is poised to be a must-have for dedicated fans and audiophiles alike, offering an unprecedented and immersive journey into a classic John Lennon album. Prepare to rediscover “Mind Games” like never before.
