Releases arrive in three waves this summer
Few troubadours have forged their distinct musical style, but the late great Jimmy Buffett ranks among this rare breed. The revered purveyor of island escapism, tropical rock, or, as many have coined it, “Gulf and Western” music, Buffett served up his breezy, lyrical storytelling with coastal themes and sunny melodicism, blending rock, folk, calypso, and pop in a frothy cocktail that has rightfully placed him amongst the world’s best-selling musical artists. UMe is celebrating the unforgettable work of this iconic artist with newly remastered vinyl reissues of some of his most classic records from his illustrious career. Several titles will be released every month this summer for a total of ten albums that stretch over three decades. This treasure trove of music includes three of his beloved albums released in the 1990s making their debut on vinyl for the first time and many of his ‘70s and ‘80s records returning to vinyl for the first time in more than four decades. Each release will be available on standard black vinyl and limited edition colored vinyl.
The first batch launches on June 7th with a trio of his foundation-establishing albums: Living and Dying in 3/4 Time (1973), One Particular Harbour (1983), and Fruitcakes (1994). Buffett’s fourth album, Living and Dying in 3/4 Time marked Buffett’s debut in the charts, giving him his first Top 40 hit single, “Come Monday,” breaking into Billboard’s Hot 100. At the same time, its leadoff track, “Pencil Thin Mustache” is a legendary tune among Parrotheads. One Particular Harbour features some of his best-loved audience favorites, including “Stars on the Water” and the crowd-pleasing title track, among the songs he played the most at his concerts. 2024 represents the 30th anniversary of the platinum-certified Fruitcakes, the first Buffett album ever to break the Top Five in Billboard’s Top 200.
Arriving July 12th is the second trio of vinyl releases – A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean (1973), Havana Daydreamin’ (1976), and Banana Wind (1996). Featuring the hit singles “Grapefruit – Juicy Fruit” and “Why Don’t We Get Drunk,” A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean helped introduce Buffett to a national audience. Havana Daydreamin’ became a real breakout album for him, reaching No. 65 on Billboard Top 200 and No. 21 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums. Showcasing Buffett in his mid-’90s prime, Banana Wind debuted at No. 4 on the Top 200 and contains “Jamaica Mistaica,” a tune inspired by a real-life incident where Jamaican authorities mistakenly shot at his seaplane with Bono, his family, and Chris Blackwell on board.
Celebrating Buffett’s hits, the four August 16th releases are Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Altitudes (1977), Son of a Son of a Sailor (1978), Volcano (1979), and Barometer Soup (1995). The transformative, platinum-certified Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Altitudes is his best-selling album with his signature smash “Margaritaville,” an anthem at the core of Buffett’s Caribbean and trop-rock ethos. Son of a Son of a Sailor, also certified platinum, boasts the timeless title track and the beloved classic “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Peaking at No. 14 on Billboard Top 200 (and No. 13 on Billboard Top Country Albums), the gold-certified Volcano holds the hit singles “Fins,” “Volcano” and “Survive.” The hit single “Mexico” highlights Barometer Soup, which scored Buffett yet another platinum album and reached No. 6 on the Top 200.
UMe will commemorate each release with a distinctive colored vinyl version. A Sea Breeze design for Living and Dying in 3/4 Time, a Daydream-colored design for One Particular Harbour, and the 2 LP Fruitcakes will have one album in Sunshine Ray color and the other in Apricot. A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean will be released in transparent Pumpkin Spice Orange; Havana Daydreamin’ will be in opaque Carmine Red, and the 2 LP Banana Wind will pair a unique Light Sky Blue album with an opaque Marshmallow White one.
Buffett, who sold over 40 million albums in his lifetime, passed away in September 2023 at age 76. Buffett was a beloved troubadour who gave the world a beachy and sunny soundtrack to enjoy. “It’s pure escapism is all it is,” he once said. “I’m not the first one to do it, nor shall I probably be the last. But I think it’s really a part of the human condition that you’ve got to have some fun. You’ve got to get away from whatever you do to make a living or other parts of life that stress you out. I try to make it at least 50/50 fun to work and so far, it’s worked out.”
Now, Parrotheads and those just discovering Buffett’s music can soundtrack their summer with ten of Buffett’s finest albums on vinyl.
