Welcome to the first of our newsletters in which we'll preview forthcoming reissues, comment on what's available and generally look at the music scene.

We are lucky in commencing business at a time when there is an incredible selection of reissues on both vinyl and CD being released worldwide. We aim to offer you the best selection of these at a competitive price at Black Vinyl Records.

As last year came to an end the record companies' schedules were almost completed so November and December were rather barren. However there are still some gems hitting the racks. Amongst the best must be a reissue of 1967 sessions by Gib Guilbeau and Gram Parsons, entitled Louisiana Rain. Recorded for Gary S Paxton's Bakersfield International label, the CD contains 25 tracks that will be essential for all Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers Band fans. In general anyone who loves country or the newer alt. country music will love this release. Available from the 28th October 2002 on Big Beat (via Pinnacle). Our price is £12.99.

Also out on the 28th October 2002 from Ace was Lee Hazlewood, These Boots are Made for Walkin'- the complete MGM Recordings, a double CD at mid price… Eddie and Ernie, Lost Friends, on Kent… various artists, Shrine: the Rarest Soul Label Vol 2, also on Kent… a neat collection of The Zombies' Decca recordings in stereo entitled, not surprisingly The Decca Stereo Anthology… Carla Thomas's Gee Whizz with one bonus track… also on Stax a reissue of William Bell's stunning 1967 album The Soul of a Bell, with two bonus tracks.

November 2002 saw the release of an ambitious 3 CD set collecting various Vanguard folk recordings. Vanguard Roots of Folk includes forty-six tracks by forty-two artists… in a similar vein there is an expanded reissue of The Best of John Fahey 1959 - 1977 which contains the otherwise unavailable track, Spanish Two-step… also from Vanguard Sandy Bull's Re-inventions, a compilation of tracks from three of his remarkable 1960's LPs.

2002 saw some great and essential reissues. Vinyl has certainly begun to make a comeback. To what extent this has been driven by DJs has yet to be seen but in terms of classic records from the past that are once again available the choice has never been greater. Amongst the best must be Sundazed's Elektra reissues programme. To be able to purchase Love, Stooges, MC5 and Fred Neil albums in their original packaging and in analogue sound shows what can be achieved when record companies are so minded. Similarly the range of 180-gram vinyl reissues spanning numerous different companies covering soul, jazz, blues and rock are to be welcomed.

There have been some disappointments. The recent CD reissues of the Rolling Stones catalogue have been over hyped. The fact that we still cannot obtain the original UK albums on CD is not only lamentable but also extraordinary. At a time when co-operation between different record companies is at an all time high, it makes one wonder why ABCKO (the US owners of the Rolling Stones catalogue) and Universal (now the UK owners), could not work together to reinstate the original UK track listings. However, they do have an improved sound over their previous incarnations so in this respect we should be thankful.

In future this column will have larger reissue listings and also mini reviews as we liase with more record companies. Thanks to Ace and Universal for all there help in providing listings so far.

See you next time...