George Michael: Older (2LP, 180g, remastered) [SONY]

Why you'll love it

John Webber and David Austin remastered Older at AIR Studios in London for this 2LP set on 180g vinyl. The album gave George Michael a record six top three UK singles in two years.

This edition

• 2LP set
• 180g vinyl
• Remastered
• Pressed in the EU

About the album

George Michael spent two full years making Older, his first studio album since Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 in 1990, and he used the time to head somewhere new. Out went the synthesized production of his earlier records; in came a jazzier, more organic sound of brass and strings, with the Brazilian composer Antônio Carlos Jobim as his guiding light.

Producer Jon Douglas co-wrote "Spinning the Wheel" and co-wrote and produced "Fastlove," playing keyboards on both, and those two bring the groove. Elsewhere "Jesus to a Child," "Older," "You Have Been Loved" and "The Strangest Thing" are hushed and beautiful, and "Star People" keeps one eye on the dance floor. Michael dedicated the album to Jobim and to Anselmo Feleppa, his partner, who died in 1993, and later said Older was really a tribute to Anselmo, made for the fans who were truly listening.

Its success in Europe prompted an expanded reissue, Older & Upper, 18 months later. In America it was the very first album on DreamWorks Records, which, as opening moves for a new label go, is rather like starting the tin with the good biscuits.

Also at Kops: more George Michael on vinyl · browse Pop

Tracklist

Listen

On Aegean / Sony Music (cat# 19439857091/B), a reissue of the 1996 album.