On October 2nd, UMG and Apple Corps Ltd. will unveil new special editions of Rubber Soul, The Beatles’ seminal 1965 album.
Rubber Soul will be reissued in several formats, including standard single-disc CD and LP editions, two-CD and two-LP Special Editions, and four-CD and five-LP Super Deluxe Editions. Newly mixed by producer Giles Martin and engineer Sam Okell, the collection features newly created stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, along with the album’s original mono mix, the Capitol US version, previously unreleased session recordings and home demos, and the double A-side single “Day Tripper” / “We Can Work It Out.”
Rubber Soul Reissue Details
All of the formats boast new stereo mixes sourced directly from Rubber Soul’s original four-track master tapes. To achieve the final product, the album was effectively “de-mixed” using cutting-edge mixing technology developed by the award-winning sound team led by Emile de la Rey at Peter Jackson’s WingNut Films Productions Ltd. According to a press release, the aim of this process was to provide the new mixes with “stunning clarity” while “remaining faithful to the spirit of the original recordings.”
With 14 new stereo mixes assembled for the very first time, the expanded Rubber Soul offers up a veritable cornucopia of archival material. That includes 24 early session recordings, including 20 previously unreleased takes and three previously unreleased home demos. Among them are early versions of “We Can Work It Out” and “Day Tripper,” as well as the unheard John Lennon “song outline” titled “Little Girl.” There’s also a Blu-ray edition featuring the Dolby Atmos mix, high-resolution stereo audio, and promotional films for “Day Tripper” and “We Can Work It Out,” alongside limited-edition orange vinyl and a D2C-exclusive Zoetrope vinyl edition.
Super Deluxe Editions
The Super Deluxe editions also include an 88-page hardbound book with rare photos, an introduction by Paul McCartney, a foreword compiled from Lennon’s own words, in-depth album background, and track notes that contextualize Rubber Soul in both The Beatles’ grand career and landmark discography.
As a preview, organizers have unveiled “Michelle (Take 1).” If the original release made you swoon into the upper atmosphere, this one will somehow take your heart even higher.
Pre-orders for the Rubber Soul special editions are available here.
Historical Context
Released on December 3rd, 1965, Rubber Soul arrived during a pivotal period in The Beatles’ development, following a year in which the band reached new commercial and artistic heights. Often heralded as a personal and creative evolution for the band and its members, Rubber Soul helped define and outline the world-changing capabilities of a truly great pop album. Tackling new sounds, instruments, and recording techniques during four weeks of recording in October and November 1965, The Beatles eventually crafted some of their biggest tunes, including “Nowhere Man,” “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” and “Drive My Car.”
Rubber Soul Special Edition Tracklist is now available, featuring a range of formats, including LP, CD, and Blu-ray editions, each with its unique set of tracks and bonus materials.
In conclusion, the reissue of Rubber Soul is a significant event in the music world, offering fans a chance to experience this seminal album in new and exciting ways. With its range of formats and bonus materials, the reissue is sure to delight both longtime fans and new listeners alike, and cement The Beatles’ legacy as one of the most influential and beloved bands in history.
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