John Lennon's classic 1973 album, Mind Games, has been remixed and expanded for an Ultimate Collection release due July 12.
The reissue, authorized by Lennon's widow Yoko Ono Lennon and produced by his son Sean Ono Lennon, was updated by Grammy-winning engineer Paul Hicks and mixers/engineers Sam Gannon and Rob Stevens.
The Ultimate Collection gives fans six different ways to listen, including a mix that moves Lennon's vocals to the forefront of an upgraded version, Elements Mixes that isolate specific instruments, as well as Raw Studio Mixes, which focus on the original recordings Lennon and the Plastic U.F.Ono Band put on tape, sans vocal effects, tape delays and reverb.
There's also an Evolutionary Documentary, a track-by-track montage of audio that chronicles the evolution of each song from demos, rehearsals, studio conversations and outtakes to the final master recordings.
Mind Games -- The Ultimate Collection will be available in a variety of formats, ranging from digital and two-CD and two-LP versions to a deluxe box set featuring six CDs and two Blu-ray discs. There will also be a Super Deluxe Edition, a Limited Edition of only 1,100 copies worldwide.
The set also offers several listening options, including 5.1 Surround and Dolby Atmos mixes available on Blu-ray.
The album was recorded while the 33-year-old Lennon was involved in a battle with the U.S. government over possible deportation as he campaigned against the Vietnam war and newly elected President Richard Nixon.
"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," Yoko Ono Lennon said in a statement. "Now, people would understand it. I don't think in those days people knew they were playing mind games anyway."
The Mind Games rerelease is being previewed with the "Mind Games" (Evolution Documentary), a brief audio segment detailing the evolution of the track from demo to final master. The video includes rare footage of Lennon from February 1970, including his piano demo, then known as "Make Love Not War," which was recorded at Tittenhurst Park, their home in Ascot.
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