Search - Dead Can Dance :: Into the Labyrinth

LIMITED EDITION MINI-SLEEVE AVAILABLE

BOB | LOS ANGELES, CA | 07/06/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

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Dead Can Dance's entire catalog, including the original 4-track EP "Garden Of Arcane Delights", are now available in DSD-remastered, Hybrid SACD, LP-replica mini-sleeves from Japan. The remastered catalog is also available domestically in less-expensive jewel-case editions.



Of particular and pleasant note, the remastering was performed by Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs. As the original CD's were from the 80's and early 90's, the mastering breathes fabulous new life into the recordings. Two non-album tracks, "Spirit" & "Bird" have been added to "Into The Labyrinth".



The `sleeves themselves are gorgeous affairs, all containing new, lavish booklets complete with lyrics, and replicas of the inner record sleeves.



Here are the Japan mini-sleeves:



Garden Of Arcane Delights

Dead Can Dance

Spleen And Ideal

Within The Realm Of A Dying Sun

Serpent's Egg

Aion

Into The Labyrinth

Toward The Within

Spiritchaser



As all Japan mini-sleeves are limited edition, do not delay in acquiring these before they are sold out.



A couple of comments about the physical aspects of this particular release: All mini-sleeves are packaged in a protective, resealable mylar, which has a flap that folds over the back to meet with an adhesive strip. On these DCD `sleeves, the adhesive leaves a sticky residue on the flap. This creates a problem in getting the cardboard LP-sleeve out of the mylar without catching on the flap, which could leave a dimple on, or even tear, the paper face of the replica. Exercise caution.



Another caveat: These replicas are packed with the CD, a color booklet, a Japan-only language booklet, and replicas of the original inner record sleeves. Each one of the exterior cardboard LP sleeves is bulging with all this material, and is putting a strain on the delicate construction. My advice: Remove and store at least the Japan booklet, or you run the risk, over time, of the strain on the exterior sleeve causing the glue joints to fail. I've had this occur on other similarly-packed mini-sleeves.



WHAT IS A JAPAN "MINI-LP-SLEEVE" CD?



Have you ever lamented the loss of one of the 20th Century's great art forms, the 12" vinyl LP jacket? Then "mini-LP-sleeve" CD's may be for you.



Mini-sleeve CDs are manufactured in Japan under license. The disc is packaged inside a 135MM X 135MM cardboard precision-miniature replica of the original classic vinyl-LP album. Also, anything contained in the original LP, such as gatefolds, booklets, lyric sheets, posters, printed LP sleeves, stickers, embosses, special LP cover paper/inks/textures and/or die cuts, are precisely replicated and included. An English-language lyric sheet is always included, even if the original LP did not have printed lyrics.



Then, there's the sonic quality: Often (but not always), mini-sleeves have dedicated remastering (20-Bit, 24-Bit, DSD, K2/K2HD, and/or HDCD), and can often (but not always) be superior to the audio on the same title anywhere else in the world. There also may be bonus tracks unavailable elsewhere.



Each Japan mini-sleeve has an "obi" ("oh-bee"), a removable Japan-language promotional strip. The obi lists the Japan street date of that particular release, the catalog number, the mastering info, and often the original album's release date. Bonus tracks are only listed on the obi, maintaining the integrity of the original LP artwork. The obi's are collectable, and should not be discarded.



All mini-sleeve releases are limited edition, but re-pressings/re-issues are becoming more common (again, not always). The enthusiasm of mini-sleeve collecting must be tempered, however, with avoiding fake mini-sleeves manufactured in Russia and distributed throughout the world, primarily on eBay. They are inferior in quality, worthless in collectable value, a total waste of money, and should be avoided at all costs."

Fantastic Re-Master SACD

Ron Moronson | Columbus, OH USA | 09/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The SACD remastered by MFSL is amazing. In fact, after receiving this disc I promptly went Into The Labyrinth where I'm still lost to this day. Luckily it has WiFi and I have a laptop with a body motion charger so I can still write reviews. Although it will be tough to give Amazon my address when ordering from now on. Of course I'm probably gonna die of starvation anyway. Bummer."

Still amazing after all these years!!

Jim Bolden Sr. | Upstate NY | 12/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A friend that spent 3yrs in France for the Rotary Club turned me onto DCD about 10yrs ago. This being the 1st CD I got.

He said they were VERY popular in Europe I found out why quickly!

Now I own every DCD I could find and this hasta be one of my favorites.

You really get the real "feel" for DCD's music if you have a nice stereo system with a nice speakers and sub.

Personally DCD has the Renaissance..Mid Evil..Gothic feel/sound to me.

I can't see how anyone can give this CD in particular a bad review?

Lisa Gerrard's vocals in "The Wind That Shakes The Barley" is just amazing!!

Brendan Perry singing "The Ubiquitous Mr Lovegrove" is equally amazing.

It's a shame that they went their separate ways but even their solo CD's are VERY worth adding to you collection.

One could only hope they would get back together some day and continue DCD where they left off.



I must say tho that while I own and have heard every DCD CD....their 1st self titled CD I didn't like at all!

Must be before they perfected their style....just plain isn't as good as the rest.(Personal opinion)



I just ordered this CD in "Remastered" SACD and can't wait to hear it!

The original is incredible I can't imagine it in Multi-channel SACD!



If you want something to just relax and unwind to check out this CD and other DCD CD's. I'm sure you will love them as I have for a long time now!



****UPDATE****

On a SACD Player this is 2 channel only!

On a regular CD player the "Hybrid" Remastering shines!!!





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