The much-anticipated album, Eclipse from Louie Vega and his world-class outfit, Elements of Life, is out now.
This may be one of the most controversial blogs I’ve ever written. Ok, that probably is going over-board a little but what I am about to say hurts some.
The album is currently available as double-pack vinyl and also as physical CD (I have tried to be as informed as possible when writing this blog). The prices vary but I see from CD Universe in the States that the double CD is only $17.07 (£11.22). So why is the iTunes download £29.99 ? I feel I am sitting on a very sharp fence here, trying to be as diplomatic as possible.
First of all, there is no questioning the amount of talent on offer in this release, as well as the amount of hard work it took to put together. I feel a sense of loyalty and gratitude to Louie for all he has helped me with on a personal level as well as on a wider scale, from an inspirational point of view before I had ever met the man. I also have too much respect for all the artists involved with the project and of course wish them all the success in the world and the rewards they deserve.
I would like to own the double-pack vinyl from a memorabilia point of view, although I doubt I will get around to buying it as it will only sit on my shelf going unplayed and I’m no longer enough of a vinyl lover to worry about getting it. Saying that, I literally am writing this blog off the cuff while the urge takes me, thinking about it I definitely am going to purchase the album to show my gratitude and support for the project, so I’d rather own the vinyl than the iTunes download which, unless I am mistaken, still isn’t a full 320kpbs mp3 ? (I need to research this).
Anyway, I am sure there are thousands of people who have been totally put off by the price tag, looking at many playlists and hearing some of my favourite shows over the weekend, it would seem that not many have purchased the album if not only one or two of the tracks. I have not seen much noise about it online either.
How can the world’s largest artists (Timberlake, Rihanna etc) have an album for sale for £9.99 and an underground artist expect people to pay three times this amount ? Maybe I should have put this to Louie ? It is a genuine question that puzzles me and I’m sure if I thought about it some more I would not bother publishing this blog… so I’m hitting send right away.
Well, if you didn’t before, you know about it now. I have a feeling people will be waiting for a much cheaper release before they commit to buying it.
This is obviously not a review of the album. I don’t need to hear it to know I am buying it… I’m not so sure many will have the same idea.
Purchase Elements of Life – Eclipse from iTunes here.
Purchase the physical double cd here (U.S)
Purchase the vinyl here (U.S)
Feel free to put up links to any UK stores.