Sting - The Studio Collection [VINYL]

Finally got my hands on all of stings studio (rock) albums. Excellent quality (180gm heavyweight vinyl), original inserts (where applicable) and sounds great. Plus, it's cheaper buying them all in one box rather than individually.

I like Sting's music. There - I said it. All the shenanigans that he got up to in the eighties can now be quietly forgotten, if not forgiven. So sit down with this box set and listen again to his solo back catalogue, specially re-mastered at Abbey Road onto the black stuff. Trust me – you’ve forgotten how good it is, and you'll be blown away how good it sounds. If nothing else, this box set is proof positive that this is an amazing portfolio of fabulous songs.The Studio Collection (as it’s officially titled) comes as a smart if straightforward box set – with the man himself positively smouldering on the front, and a graphic of all the albums plus track listing on the back. Otherwise it’s a solid double-slipcase design, with the inner box containing the albums sliding into the outer case. There’s a slim bit of foam packaging inside, presumably allowing space for the ‘57th & 9th’ album.I must admit there’s nothing like a box of brand new LPs to gladden the heart. Sting’s albums don’t disappoint – they look great, particularly the impressive double album sets. One criticism I have is that they would benefit from being placed inside protective cellophane re-sealable sleeves - they help keep the jackets in top condition and free from finger smudges. Fortunately, I keep a stock of these, and the albums still fit inside the slipcase comfortably.I have the added bonus of being completely new to four of the eight albums included here - amongst them, ‘Brand New Day’ and ‘Sacred Love’. Both of these are really classy affairs, both sounding and looking terrific. This is their debut on vinyl, and both are packaged as double album sets in gatefold jackets with stylish inner sleeves.How do they sound? I have a middling Cyrus audio system with a 35-year old AR record deck with a Silver Grado cartridge and large KEF monitors – and they sound lovely. There are no warps and surfaces are silent - so the music really blooms. That said, I always give my records anti-static treatment using a Knosti Disco-Antistat cleaning machine and L’Art du Son cleaning fluid (both available at Amazon). Even if you don’t do this, these are excellent pressings into beautiful 180gram vinyl - they feel and look luxurious, and sound even better.That’s the big positive side. On the minus side, there is a missed opportunity. Where is the accompanying book you get with The Beatles, Stones, Kinks and Dylan Mono vinyl sets? Steve Hillage has two(!) 12 x 12 inch books in his excellent 22 CD box set. It’s not like there’s a shortage of visual material – after all, Sting is probably one of the most photographed geezers in history. Even more importantly, it would have been a great opportunity for Sting (or a rock journalist) to put these albums into context.Having got that off my chest, just sit down and luxuriate in these beauties while enjoying the brilliant artwork of the jackets and inner sleeves. Really, listening to vinyl is a completely different experience to CD – more immersive, more musical, more emotive, and way more sexy. And you can read the lyrics without requiring a magnifying glass.Nice.

excellent remastering of all of Stings albums including a couple not previously released on vinyl. My only gripe is that within a week of purchase the Amazon price was reduced by £20. I can never make out Amazon pricing because unlike other on line retailers prices alter so often usually in the wrong direction.

If you are looking at this you already know the albums and there is no point in me reviewing them individually! If you are like me you are more concerned with how good is the vinyl itself and do they play well the answer is an astounding yes they appear flawless, I have not heard a single flaw, click or pop on a single track so far. They are definitely 180 g vinyl and in good quality lined sleeves with the original inner sleeve as an insert if it had one. They sound absolutely amazing and I can not fault the production or the sound, again about perfect!!! The box even leaves space for the new album when it's released if you wanted them all together!! Worth every penny!!

A surprisingly late issue, Sting's first time ever career-spanning vinyl box set presents 8 of his studio albums with A&M Records, across 11 LPs, 2 of which are making their debut on vinyl format. All of the included LPs appear in exact replicas of the original artwork, presented in a slipcase package, with brand new vinyl masters. Though I cannot attest to the authenticity of the reproductions of the vinyl sleeves, as I only had purchased "Ten Summoner's Tales" previously, they look fantastic. Audio-wise, the sound is flawless (the mastering was done at the legendary Abbey Road Studios to ensure exceptional audio quality). I got to listen and check this through a friend who bought it. I decided to wait before purchasing, the reasons being: 1. the high price, and 2. the absence of bonus material. For a prolific songwriter like him, there is so much that could have been included on here. Sting's reluctance to reissue his back catalogue with extra material is rather annoying. This box is not even comprehensive - there are 2 more studio albums (2006's "Songs from the labyrinth", and 2009's "If on a winter's night...") left out. The quality of the package is first class. From the sophisticated cover shot and the gorgeous box to the heavy and pristine vinyl, this set captures nicely the largest part of the discography of one of the most creative and vibrant male artists. I will wait until the £130+ price tag goes down, and then snap it up. Until then, I have his superb 2011 "25 Years" box set to indulge.List of contents:- The dream of the blue turtles (1985)- ...Nothing like the sun (1987) (double LP)- The soul cages (1991)- Ten Summoner's Tales (1993)- Mercury falling (1996)- Brand new day (1999) (double LP)- Sacred love (2003) (double LP)- The last ship (2013)