It's no secret that an expanded reissue of John Lennon's fourth album, 1973's Mind Games, has been on the docket, but we can now tell you all about it and when it will be out.
Mind Games – The Ultimate Collection, with a boatload of unreleased material and extras, will be released on July 12th in six configurations with the "Deluxe" box set containing six CDs and two Blu-ray discs, while the "Super Deluxe Edition," limited to 1100 copies worldwide for $1350, gets you:
- Four gatefold LPs comprising 12 tracks each of the Ultimate Mixes, Elemental Mixes, Elements Mixes, Evolution Documentary, Out-takes and Raw Studio Mixes with bespoke inners, posters and postcards with Easter Eggs hidden throughout.
- Six CDs, two Blu-Rays, a 128-page hardback book, poster, postcards, ID Card.
- A “Karmic Wheel” hologram-engraved picture disc enclosed in reproduction of Lennon’s “Build Around It” artwork.
- The Ultimate Mixes and Out-takes on a two color picture vinyl discs with a new poster, postcards, additional zoetrope and bar animation elements and an ultraviolet flashlight and more.
- 288-page coffee-table hardback book - in the words of John & Yoko and the people who were there - on the events of John & Yoko’s lives, including the making of the Mind Games album and everything surrounding it...
- Reproduction memorabilia from the Estates of John & Yoko including a large white Nutopian Flag, a Nutopian Embassy Plaque, Citizen of Nutopia ID Card, Great Seal of Nutopia stamp, reproduction of John & Yoko’s “Declaration of Nutopia” from April 1973, You Are Here, and Yin-yang fishes and Not Insane badges.
- A limited-edition 12-inch circular canvas reproduction of Lennon’s artwork You Are Here, 1968 with a certificate of authenticity.
- Three customized John & Yoko I-Ching coins, ultraviolet flashlight and Magic Magnet.
All of the tracks have been completely remixed from the 15 original two-inch multi-track session tapes.
Commenting on this album, Yoko says, “John was trying to convey the message that we all play mind games. But if we can play mind games, why not make a positive future with it – to be a positive mind game? ‘Mind Games’ is such an incredibly strong song. At the time, people didn't quite get the message because this was before its time. Now, people would understand it. I don't think in those days people knew they were playing mind games anyway.”
With today's new comes the Mind Games Evolution Documentary, a brief audio documentary which shows the evolution of the track from demo to final master.